Racing WA and Blue Tree Project branch out to Great Southern
A dead tree at the Albany Racing Club has been given a ‘blue lease on life’ with Racing WA, Albany racing participants and Great Southern community groups helping mental health grow stronger.
Racing WA and the Blue Tree Project were joined by representatives from the Albany Racing Club, Albany Harness Racing Club, Pingrup Race Club, RSL Albany Sub-Branch, Albany 10th Light Horse Troop, Patriots Military Motorcycle Club and City of Albany at the Albany Racecourse to paint the tree and shine a light on mental health.
The painting was part of the Racing WA Community Fund’s recently launched partnership with the Blue Tree Project to spread the message “it’s OK to not be OK”.
WA is home to 50 racetracks, including five in the Great Southern, with each serving as vital social hubs which foster community connection. Racing WA and Blue Tree Project aim to paint a tree at each racetrack as part of the partnership, which also includes facilitating mental health workshops at race clubs.
“Racing in the Great Southern generates almost $50 million for the WA economy annually and sustains 372 jobs,” RWWA CEO Ian Edwards said.
“Albany, Kojonup, Pingrup and Mount Barker’s race clubs all play a vital role in connecting their local communities.
“A painted blue tree is a reminder that ‘it’s OK to not be OK’ and the Blue Tree Project is making positive strides in breaking down the stigma associated with mental health struggles.
“Racing has many social benefits and we hope this blue tree at the Albany Racecourse encourages people to check in with their loved ones while they’re enjoying a day at the races.”
The Racing WA Community Fund partnership with Blue Tree Project was launched last month at the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Racing Club. As part of the partnership, the Blue Tree Project will provide mental health workshops, practical resources and much-needed support at race clubs in regional WA.
“Racing WA enables us to help even more communities in regional WA,” Blue Tree Project CEO Kendall Whyte said.
“We recognise racing is an important part of WA’s social fabric and we hope the blue trees we are painting in areas closely linked to racing will prompt more conversations around mental health and encourage individuals to seek support if struggling.”
In addition to the major Blue Tree Project Partnership, the Racing WA Community Fund will award grants of up to $5000 per successful applicant via two annual grant rounds.
The grants provide financial support to projects that promote connection, enhance wellbeing and advance environmental sustainability in areas associated with a thoroughbred, harness or greyhound race club. Learn more and register interest at www.rwwa.com.au/our-community.
Image: (L-R) Albany Racing Club President Ken Thomas, Blue Tree Project CEO Kendall Whyte, RWWA CEO Ian Edwards and trainer Steve Wolfe