General News
26 March, 2026
Pyrenees Shire backs Blue Tree for mental health
PYRENEES Shire Council has agreed to a request to permit a ‘Blue Tree’ on the Sunraysia Highway at Waubra.
A request was presented to last week's council meeting from resident David Keene asking for council support to allow a Blue Tree in support of mental health.
The Blue Tree Project is a charitable organisation dedicated to sparking conversations and encouraging people to speak openly about mental health.
Its purpose is to reduce the stigma that is still strongly attached to mental health challenges and to promote connection, awareness, and early intervention within communities.
There are over 1,400 Blue Trees located around the world including Redbank and Natte Yallock.
The Blue Tree Project says each tree serves as a visual reminder and conversation starter, encouraging people to check in with family, friends, loved ones, colleagues and importantly, themselves.
Mr Keene wrote to council seeking permission to erect a Blue Tree at the Waubra Recreation Reserve or along the Sunraysia Highway beside the Waubra township sign.
The proposed tree measures approximately 2.4 metres high and 1.2 metres wide.
In addition to the tree, permission was also sought to place a seat in the direct vicinity of the tree for people to be able to sit and reflect.
Monday’s council meeting was told Mr Keene has been directly touched by the stigma of mental health and has requested that a plaque dedicated to his daughter be installed on the seat.
He has also offered to fund the seat and plaque.
Councillors discussed the proposal at Monday’s meeting, with Cr Simon Tol saying the Recreation Reserve is not the ideal location for a Blue Tree.
“It’s a terrific project. I was the president of the Waubra Football Club when we lost two player through suicide and we’ve lost in that time four or five other locals through suicide. It has really affected our community.
“The one thing is I would suggest we don’t put it at the Waubra Recreation Reserve, we put it out on the highway.
“A sporting ground is a celebration area, it’s meant to be a happy place,” he said.
Councillors unanimously agreed to support the project with the establishment of a Blue Tree on the Sunraysia Highway.
Read More: Waubra