All hands were on deck by the Campaspe River, as Rochester became the latest home to the Blue Tree Project.
Nestled on the river, just before the bridge, the tree stands as a reminder of hope.
The Blue Tree Project began in 2019 after Western Australian Jayden Whyte took his own life.
A few years before his tragic death, he and a friend painted a tree on his family’s property blue.
In his honour, friends and family began painting trees with blue paint, and the initiative quickly spread across the country and now, the world.
Locally, the Rochy tree joins neighbours in Echuca, Stanhope, Kyabram, Waranga Shores, Mooroopna, Lake Neangar and Kotupna.
Rochester Community House youth and community engagement officer Jenna Harvey pioneered the project with Rochester Secondary College Year 12 student and school captain Payton Tiller.
Locals headed to the river on Thursday, October 16 to give renewed life to a tree that had already died.
Among the painters were students from Rochester Secondary College, St Joseph’s Primary School and Rochester Primary School.
The Rochester Lions Club also stepped in to fuel the day with a trusty barbecue.
Located in the heart of town on the Campaspe River walking track, locals and visitors will be able to spot it on foot or when driving past.