Heartbroken and overwhelmed: symbol for mental health felled after vandalism
Updated 7 days ago by Lauren Richardson
An iconic part of the Northern Midlands landscape has been farewelled after fire damage, leaving members of the community heartbroken and grieving.
Warning: This story contains mentions of death and mental health that may be distressing for some.
The Blue Tree bordering the Midland Highway between Perth and Longford was painted blue in 2021 to encourage people to speak up when battling mental health issues.
The Northern Midlands Mayor Mary Knowles said they made the decision to fell the tree after vandalism damage made it unsafe.
The tree was 100 per cent backed by community, and a press release in May 2021 said it was "sponsored by the community, with cash and in-kind donations being generously provided" by residents and local businesses.
Over the past four years, the tree was marked with names of loved ones whose battle with mental health had ended.
Devonport resident Damien Giles was the first to impress upon the tree the legacy of his late brother, Austin.
"The Blue Tree was directly tied to my brother Austin and to the men's mental health walks I completed in his memory under Austin's Legacy," Mr Giles said.
He lost his brother to suicide in 2021 and carved Austin's name along with 'Austin's Legacy' into the tree at the completion of a walk from Port Sorell to Powranna.
The walk is over 100 kilometres.
"As I continued to visit the tree from 2021 onwards, many other names were added to honour loved ones who had been lost," Mr Giles said.
The last time he visited the tree was December 2, 2025.
He said the tree wasn't just a landmark, it was a visible reminder to check in with mates, that it's okay not to be okay, and messages like 'it ain't weak to speak'.
"The Blue Tree made them visible in a way that spoke to men especially - not by shouting, but simply by being there."
The walks Mr Giles, his friends, and Austin's friends undertook ended at the tree.
He said they were mentally exhausting and physically heavy, but the tree was a beacon at the finish line and a reminder of why they were walking.
"My brother was my ride-or-die little brother. Losing him changed my life," Mr Giles said.
"[The Blue Tree] helped me feel connected to him and to a wider, often silent community of people carrying similar grief."
He said when he heard the tree had been cut down, he broke down.
"I'm feeling pretty heartbroken and overwhelmed," Mr Giles said.
"This hasn't just been about the loss of a tree, it's been about the speed of the decision and the lack of consultation, and the removal of a symbol that quietly carried enormous meaning for many people - especially men who don't always have spaces, words or symbols to acknowledge their grief."
A Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) spokesperson said they responded to a fire in the tree's area on Thursday, December 11.
"The fire impacted the tree's hollow base, and there were safety concerns due to this."
They said TFS advised the council the tree should be assessed from a safety perspective, but it remained the council's responsibility regarding what to do with it.
Cr Knowles said an independent arborist advised the tree was unsafe and should be cut down.
"It was a clear decision that had to be made, it was a risk to public safety because the tree, unfortunately, had been been vandalised and the base of it burned out," Cr Knowles said.
She said it was the second time it had been burned.
"It's a very significant tree for many families and it created discussion around mental health and suicide awareness."
Cr Knowles encouraged anybody struggling with the tree's removal to reach out to Rural Alive and Well, a mental wellbeing service who were involved with the tree's implementation.
Or to contact Lifeline or call 000 if in a crisis situation.
"We wish everyone all the best for Christmas and hope there's not too much stress, but we understand totally the significance of that particular tree."