Wean’s Blue Tree project raises awareness

Boggabri and district has just painted their second tree under the ‘Blue Tree project’, this time at Wean.

Wean Picnic Race Club is an annual amateur picnic race meeting held on the property ‘Wean’ a 20-minute drive east of Boggabri.

The property is currently owned by Whitehaven Coal.

In 1933 a group of local landowners got together and started what has become a much-loved tradition in the area.

Wean race meeting is one of the last true picnic races in Australia and attracts attendees from all over the country.

In July, the committee will celebrate the 90th anniversary of the historic event.

The continued success of the event is attributed to the locals who support the event every year.

The volunteers that work tirelessly for months to plan the race day and maintain the grounds, the infrastructure and the businesses that continue to sponsor and donate to help keep the tradition alive.

The Wean committee chose a dead tree in the stable yard to join the Blue Tree project in creating a space for conversation about mental health concerns.

By spreading the paint and spreading the message that “it’s OK to not be OK”, we can help break down the stigma that’s still largely attached to mental health.

The Blue Tree project was inspired by a story that was told at Jayden Whyte’s funeral on November 23, 2019.

Jayden painted a tree blue one night on his family farm, in Mukinbudin WA after sneaking out, wondering just how long it would be before anyone noticed the deep blue tree on the horizon.

The tree was painted out of love, mischief and friendship.

It was painted with special friend Tjarda Tiedeken, a German backpacker, on February 14, 2014.

He thought it would be a shock for his father when he found it in the middle of the paddock.

Jayden’s family say he was close with family, loved, highly intelligent and driven, however they were not aware of the extent of his mental health issues.

Jayden presented himself to hospital twice in one day.

The first time calling 000, where a policeman attended the scene until an ambulance arrived.

He was taken to hospital and discharged two hours later.

He then took himself back to hospital later that evening, where again he was released, this time into the dark at 11pm, to find his way home, where it ended in tragic circumstances.

After Jayden’s death the family repainted the tree in honour of his memory.

Since then, blue trees have popped up all over the place as a reminder to check in with your mates and start the conversation about mental health.

Wean committee member Shar Grover said:” “it has been a real community project with several businesses chipping in to help provide goods or services.

“The elevated work platform required to access the tree for trimming and painting was donated, as was the paint and signage.”

Currently there are more than 975 registered trees all over Australia as well as a few in England, America and New Zealand.

This number was 640 when Boggabri’s first blue tree was painted at Milchengowrie thanks to the staff and management of Boolah Farms Boggabri in August 2021.

If you are going to Wean this year, have a look at the tree, have the conversation, ask your mates if they are okay, spark the difficult conversations and encourage people to speak up when battling mental health concerns.

When he finished painting the tree, Pete Brien said: “if we just save one person, this is all worthwhile”.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact Beyond Blue 1800 224 636 or www.beyondblue.org.au or Lifeline 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14.