Festival visitors and local businesses took up the Tulip Time challenge to “turn the town orange” in honour of the official Tulip Time partner charity, the Black Dog Institute.

Orange banners, balloons and colourfully decorated businesses highlighted the Festival’s aim of shining light and colour on depression and mental illness.

Orange was also prominent in the hour-long Tulip Time parade, although Festival ambassador Maggie Tabberer, riding on a vintage fire engine, opted for stylish purple instead.

The NSW Fire Brigade Band and marching girls added a further splash of colour at the head of the parade.

Ms Tabberer joined Black Dog Institute executive director Professor Gordon Parker to launch Tulip Time at the Breakfast in the Park in Corbett Gardens on Friday morning.

Professor Parker announced that the Black Dog Institute would establish two mood assessment program (MAP) centres in Bowral to identify and assist people with mood and bipolar disorders.

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Monday, September 29

vas.v@ruralpress.com