On Monday, May 13, the Year 11 and Year 12 vocational major students launched their Blue Tree Project.
It coincided with Do It For Dolly Day, an annual event which celebrates kindness and takes a stand against bullying. It was created in memory of Queensland girl Dolly Everett, who took her own life in 2018, aged 14, after suffering relentless cyberbullying.
Her parents have since started a website to spread awareness about suicide and cyberbullying among young teens.
Year 12 student Maddison Carmichal told The Telegraph the story behind the Blue Tree Project.
“Jayden Whyte is a young man who took his life for unknown reasons,” Maddison said.
“Jayden’s friend and he had gone out and looked through his father’s shed to get rid of some things and they found a bucket of blue paint and found a dead tree and painted it blue.
“After his passing, they had made it into a symbol for mental health and young teens and adults who suffer from mental health and depression.”
Maddison said it was important to raise awareness of these issues in a country town like Seymour.
“It's a small town. Almost everyone knows each other,,” she said.
“Not many people know about (mental health issues). Not many people talk about it.
“(It’s) a small town, a lot of stuff happens and no secrets are safe.”
Seymour College employee Greg Gibson said the school was the first in Mitchell Shire to launch the Blue Tree Project.
“That’s driven by the kids, which is really good,” he said.
Seymour College vocational major co-ordinator Lisa Macheras said mental health was something the younger generation was more aware of.
“It’s not necessarily the older generation, so we’re trying to influence at this age (bracket) something to keep going,” she said.
“Normal things to talk about ... have a look at the blue tree and talk about things.”
To mark the day, the students wore something blue and got together on the school grounds to paint a tree blue.
The students also raised funds through a barbecue and a gold coin donation. All profits raised will be donated to Do it for Dolly and the Blue Tree Project.
Maddison said the message of the day was to talk to someone.
“Just talk to someone. Don't just hide away because that’ll just affect you even more than just not talking,” she said.
“You’re never alone.”
