Friday 10 May is Do It For Dolly Day, a national day in memory of Dolly Everett who tragically took her own life, aged 14, due to ongoing bullying and cyberbullying.
Do It For Dolly Day is dedicated to bringing the community together by spreading kindness, raising awareness and vital funds, and GOING BLUE TO END BULLYING.
Determined that no other family would suffer from the same devastation, Dolly’s parents Tick and Kate Everett established Dolly’s Dream. They have committed to changing the culture of bullying by addressing the impact of bullying, anxiety, depression, and youth suicide, through awareness, education and direct support to young people and families.
Unfortunately, the issue of bullying is not going away. A recent report from the eSafety Commissioner has shed light on a troubling trend: cyberbullying is on the rise. According to the report, there has been a staggering 40% increase in cyberbullying reports, with eSafety receiving 2,383 reports in 2023 compared to 1,700 in 2022.
What is particularly worrying is that two-thirds (67%) of these reports were concerning children aged 12-15 years old – just like Dolly - highlighting the vulnerability of young people to online harassment and abuse.
The vital work of Dolly’s Dream supports Australian families by providing crucial services such as their free 24-hour support line, anti-bullying and online safety workshops in schools, mental health first aid training in communities and more recently the free Beacon cyber safety app - a trustworthy resource for parents and carers to help them confidently navigate their family’s technology use and reduce associated harms.
Each year in May we see thousands of wonderful communities – many in your local constituency - come together to remember Dolly by going blue (Dolly’s favourite colour), donating and participating in fundraising activities to help support the important anti-bullying work of Dolly’s Dream, sharing the message to be kind and speak even if your voice shakes.
We are inviting you to take part in Do It For Dolly Day too! No one understands your community like you do and Do It For Dolly Day is a great way to connect with those you represent and have important conversations to end bullying.
Here are some ways you can show your support:
Go Blue – Dress or decorate in blue (Dolly’s favourite colour)
Donate – help us deliver bullying prevention and online safety programs in your community
Fundraise – help support anti-bullying initiatives and stop precious lives being lost.
Spread the word! – tell the schools in your community about our Teacher Toolkits and Kindness Activities or share something on your social media. We have plenty of resources here.
You can learn more about Dolly’s Dream in this short video here and if you have any questions, please get in touch by calling 1800 951 955 or emailing community@dollysdream.org.au, we’d love to connect with you!
We look forward to working with you to create a safer, kinder community for all.
With kindness,
Sally Sweeney
Head of Dolly’s Dream
About us:
Dolly’s Dream is committed to changing the culture of bullying by addressing the impact of bullying, anxiety, depression and youth suicide, through education and direct support to young people and families. www.dollysdream.org.au