Blue tree to carry Dylan’s memory & message of hope

A striking blue tree in Doonan will carry the memory of a much-loved young man while sending a simple message to anyone struggling with their mental health: speak up, reach out and know that you are not alone.

Sunshine Coast resident and Nambour General Hospital registered nurse Katie Pershouse is behind the Doonan Blue Tree, inspired by both a journey around Australia and the devastating loss of her nephew Dylan, who died by suicide in 2025.

The tree at 39A Beddington Road was scheduled to be painted blue on October 1, marking the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month and adding another local landmark to the international Blue Tree Project.

But for Katie and her family, its meaning is deeply personal. “This project is something very close to my heart. My connection with the blue tree project began in 2022 during a yearlong working holiday with my family, travelling the Australian coastline,” Katie said. “During our travels we came across these extraordinary blue trees, and it was then I discovered the important message behind them. Those trees stayed with me long after I returned home.”

Three years later, that message took on a heartbreaking new significance when Dylan died.

Katie hopes the Doonan tree will become a visible prompt for people to notice when someone may be struggling. “The Doonan blue tree will act as a powerful symbol that encourages someone to ask a question, start a conversation or perhaps reach out to someone who may be struggling,” she said.

The Blue Tree Project began in Western Australia in 2019 following the death by suicide of Jayden Whyte. Its origins trace back to a tree Jayden and a friend had painted blue as a prank years earlier. After his death, that tree took on new meaning and inspired a grassroots movement which has since spread around the world. The organisation describes its blue trees as symbols of hope and visual reminders to check in with ourselves and others.

For Dylan’s mum, Izzy, the Doonan tree will carry both that wider message and the memory of her son. “Dylan died by suicide in 2025. The loss of my son is immeasurable. Living without him has left a void in my life and in our family that can never be filled,” she said.

“Dylan was deeply loved, and his life was so much more than the way in which we lost him.”

Izzy said people experiencing mental health challenges could carry burdens which were not visible to those around them. “Too often, people who are struggling can feel unheard, unseen or as though they must carry their pain alone.

“That is why the Blue Tree Project holds such significance for us.”

She hopes people who pass the Doonan tree will see more than its vivid colour.

“This blue tree in Doonan will be more than a tree painted blue. For our family, it will carry Dylan’s memory, but I also hope it will stand for every person who is struggling silently and every family who has experienced the devastating loss of someone they love to suicide.”

At the heart of the family’s message is the hope that something positive can grow from profound grief.“If seeing this tree encourages even one person to speak up, ask for help, check in on someone they are worried about, or simply realise that they are not alone, then it has achieved something incredibly important,” Izzy said.

She also wants the project to help remove the judgement and stigma which can prevent people from talking about mental health.

“I would also like our story to reflect that while this project has grown from our family’s loss, its message is one of connection, awareness and hope. Mental health needs to be spoken about openly, without judgement or shame. People who are struggling need to know that their lives matter, that they deserve to be heard, and that support is available.”

Izzy said she was proud Katie had turned the connection she first made with the Blue Tree Project while travelling Australia into something meaningful for the Sunshine Coast community. “For me, Dylan will always be my son first. I hope the Doonan Blue Tree helps keep his memory alive while also creating conversations that may help another person and another family.”

For Katie, that is precisely what she hopes the splash of blue among Doonan’s greenery will achieve: a question, a conversation, a check-in with a friend or perhaps the courage for someone to say they need help.

Katie wanted to acknowledge Elenore and Richard MacDonald, who donated the tree, and John Blythe, Renelle Klease, and Rebekah Olsen from Monkey Business Tree Services who donated their time and equipment.

If this story raises issues for you, Lifeline provides free, confidential crisis support 24 hours a day on 13 11 14, by text on 0477 13 11 14 or through online chat. If life is in danger, call 000.

Katie Pershouse and Elizabeth Clarke painted the tree blue in memory of Dylan.