The Blue Shirt Project

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The Blue Shirt Project

Game changer!

Let’s end the stigma of mental health & get workplaces, communities, schools, accredited in MHFA - wear a blue shirt - anyone who is struggling or needs a chat, knows they can reach out to a qualified member who is skilled in the field!!

30/05/2026

💙Costerfield – Alkane Resources | Group 2 💙
Last week we had the pleasure of delivering Mental Health First Aid to our second group at Alkane Resources – Costerfield 🙌
Some incredibly tough stories were shared, including lived experiences of trauma and how these ripple out to colleagues, family and friends. A powerful example of an auditory hallucination was explored 👂🧠 Most importantly, every single participant chose to put their hand up and be part of the training 💪
A huge welcome to 16 new Mental Health First Aiders at Costerfield 🎉 Across both groups, participants are already taking action—creating new visual and communication aids to help everyone easily identify the “blue shirters” 👕 and ensure important information is always available in safe, discreet and accessible places 📍
Congratulations to all involved and we can see how proud you are to receive your blue shirt to be there for all 👏 We’re looking forward to coming back again soon!

17/05/2026

Alkane Resources – Costerfield
Last week, we had the absolute pleasure of returning to Alkane Resources at Costerfield to deliver Mental Health First Aid training.
We were met by a determined group of employees who chose to stand up and be there for their mates when it matters most. This training was the result of multiple “Just a Guy” presentations delivered last year—sessions that helped people relate to mental health and, importantly, want to learn more.
Congratulations to the 11 new Blue Shirters who engaged fully, contributed openly, and supported one another throughout the two days. There was learning, laughter, tears, and plenty of banter—proof that when a safe space is created, people open up. It also reinforces why mental health stigma has no place in our workplaces.
These 11 new MHFAiders will do amazing work at Alkane Costerfield, being that visible, approachable person when someone needs a chat.
We’re back again this week to deliver more training, and we couldn’t be prouder of the volunteers stepping up to continue their learning.

03/05/2026

💙 Local Business Appreciation 💙
We’re incredibly proud of the amazing local businesses we have here in Ballarat. Their support helps us not only locally, but nationally, as we continue working to end the stigma around mental health.
We couldn’t do what we do without these legends:
🔧 Motacare Wendouree – Adam & Jacque - Keeping our vehicles road‑ready so we can deliver training far and wide. Motacare Ballarat�
🎨 – Jen and the fabulous team - From vehicle signage to promo materials, they turn our ideas into reality every time. � Smartpix Signs
👕 – Harry and Michael - High‑quality apparel, fast turnarounds, and always meeting our high standards. Hip Pocket Workwear & Safety�
📊 Mulcahy / M Group Accounting – Nick is keeping us compliant and supported across all financial matters. M Group
Supporting local matters. These teams work just as hard as we do, and we can’t recommend them highly enough.
Thank you for backing us, and for always accommodating our (very) pedantic requests — we couldn’t be prouder to work alongside you 🙌

29/04/2026

A proud and awesome group of people with amazing support from Krueger Transport Equipment Pty Ltd. High viz blue shirts, blue vests, polo shirts and overalls !!!! This is a great example of working collaboratively, to ensure that not only a business uniform is maintained for safety reasons, but we can still highlight the “Blue Shirt” MHFAers with huge high visibility embroidery/print so they stand out and are easily identifiable. Many thanks to the Krueger team, but also Harry at Hip Pocket Workwear & Safety for getting yet another special order out to raise awareness! The sky is the limit !!! ✨️

15/02/2026

Inver Engineering - Altona - have truly taken a big step forward and are getting things done! 🚀
After delivering several presentations a few months ago, we were invited back to run Mental Health First Aid training — and this course was by far one of the most heartfelt and inspiring we’ve ever delivered. 💙
Every course is different: the participants, their stories, their experiences, and the reasons they choose to attend. But this group of eight Inver Engineering staff stood out. Each person brought a unique lived experience, from all walks and backgrounds, and over the two days there were stories shared, lessons learned, moments of vulnerability, tears, and plenty of support. 🤝💬💛
What made it so special? Each participant volunteered to be there. They had witnessed or lived through mental health challenges — either personally or alongside someone they care about. And every single one came with the intention to stand up for their mates, their families, their colleagues, and anyone who might need a helping hand. No one should have to face those battles alone. 🫂✨
A massive thank you to Nathan for driving this initiative — it’s been years in the making, and your passion for people truly shines. 🌟  And thank you to Anthony, the management team, and everyone at Inver Engineering for welcoming us with open arms. 🙏
We can’t wait to deliver your shirts soon — we know you’ll wear them with pride! 👕

01/02/2026

SESSION 3 ✔️ Nine New MHFAers + ERT Training at Bluestone Mines Tasmania Joint Venture ⛏️
Last week, Bluestone Mine completed their third Mental Health First Aid session, welcoming nine new MHFAers to The Blue Shirt Crew 🙌💙
Across just a few short weeks, 35 employees have stepped forward to complete MHFA training — all volunteering to support not only themselves, but their teammates and community 🤝✨
Bluestone Mine has shown a massive commitment to mental health support across every level of the business. Truly remarkable, and an incredible achievement that sets a strong standard for mental health awareness onsite 💪🧠💬
To round out the week, Al spent a day with the Emergency Response Team 🚨, working on skills, teamwork and preparedness 👥🔥
A huge thank you to Bluestone Mine for having us, and to all the crews who were welcoming, caring and supportive 🙏💛
Special shoutout to Matt, Mo and Nathan for your coordination, debriefs, and genuine care for your people 🌟👏 It has been remarkable!

26/01/2026

Tasmania 2.0 – Continuing to Break Barriers at Bluestone Renison Mine
Last week, we delivered our second Mental Health First Aid course at Bluestone Renison Mine, and we’re thrilled to share that 8 more employees stepped up to support their colleagues, families, friends – and themselves!
Bluestone Mine is setting the gold standard in mental health support, proving that physical and mental health are equally important. This commitment starts at the grassroots level and reaches all the way to the top, showing true determination to break stigma and build a culture of care across the business.
We’re heading back this week to train even more employees and can’t wait to see the growing number of “Blue Shirters” standing up and standing out when support is needed most. Yes, even the stars in the sky are shining!
It is all about making mental health a priority.

01/01/2026

🎉 Happy New Year from The Blue Shirt Project! 💙
18 months of planning, 2025, saw us take a huge leap of faith. A change has to happen and it starts here - so, we gave up everything we had, to actually be someone to try and make a difference in the mental health space. Why? Because we have lived and breathed it!
In just a few short months, The Blue Shirt Project has trained 63 new Mental Health First Aiders, combined with countless presentations across Australia – and we’re only getting started! 🚀
During this time, Al and Alicia have been away from home and family for weeks at a time to ensure we continue our passion to show and share the importance of early intervention and having a MHFAer ready to act quickly! 🙌💪
This isn’t just about having a visual representation of a Mental Health First Aider; it’s about understanding how to have those important conversations that can truly make a difference. 🗣️💬
You are not alone in your 5 seconds of bravado – there are people ready to help. 🤝
We couldn’t be prouder of all the businesses, staff, communities, and management for standing up and standing out – for your colleagues, friends, family, and most importantly, for yourself. 🌟👏
Together, we can create workplaces and communities where mental health is supported and understood. 🏢🏘️💙
Our mission is clear: end the stigma and remind everyone that you are not alone. 🌍✨
Here’s to a year of continued progress, compassion, and connection. 💪💙

25/12/2025

🎄✨ Merry Christmas from The Blue Shirt Project! ✨🎄
From all of us here, we wish you, your families, loved ones, and colleagues the most amazing holiday season! 💙
We’re truly thankful for the incredible support from our Blue Shirt Crews, clients, partners, and everyone who helped get this off the ground. 🙏
💡 A gentle reminder: The holidays can be a tough time for mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. You’re not alone. 💙  📞 Call us or any of the numbers below – help is always available. most importantly, you are NOT alone!
We’ll be taking a few days of downtime, but don’t worry – you can still email, call, or message us, and we’ll get back to you ASAP!
🎅 Merry Christmas & Happy last week of 2025! 🎁

23/12/2025

💙 Bluestone Mine, Tasmania, is setting the standard extremely high for mental health in the workplace - but also the mining industry! 💙
Over the past two weeks, the Blue Shirt Project has been embraced with open arms by every single person at Bluestone Mine:
✅ 9 “Just a Guy” presentations across multiple shifts, swing change and departments
✅ 18 new Mental Health First Aiders trained and ready to support their mates - every single person put their hand up for it to volunteer their time
✅ Two additional MHFA sessions coming in January as the response has been overwhelming. The first session last week, booked out and had a waitlist. The second session in January is almost booked out, so Bluestone Mine are implementing another third session to ensure no employee misses out on the opportunity and something important to them.
This is more than training—it’s a culture shift. Bluestone Mine is proving that when leadership and employees work together, amazing things happen. 👏
Management and the leadership team deserve huge credit for backing this initiative and creating an environment where mental health matters and it doesn’t discriminate.
📣 Special shout-out to Matt for coordinating nine presentations and organising the first MHFA training session - leading to further training in January. It was a massive task to navigate and it certainly doesn’t go unnoticed. Absolute legend! 🙌
Bluestone Mine is leading the way, showing that you are not alone and that one conversation can change everything. 🌟

Address

Ballarat, VIC

Telephone

+61408050573

Website

http://www.theblueshirtproject.com/

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