How did Dolly’s Dream start?
Dolly’s Dream was established in 2018 by Kate and Tick Everett in memory of their 14-year-old daughter Dolly Everett, who took her own life following sustained and ongoing bullying and cyber bullying.
Kate, Tick, and Dolly’s older sister, Meg, have since been committed to changing the culture of bullying by addressing the impact of bullying, anxiety, depression and youth suicide through education and offering direct support to young people and families.
Since it was established, Dolly’s Dream has grown to see its support services, education programs and workshops help more than 70,000 children and young people, and their families.
What does Dolly's Dream do?
Dolly's Dream provides education, resources and support services to young people, their families and the wider community, including:
Beacon Cyber Safety app
Free app that provides families with trustworthy, practical resources to help them confidently navigate their children’s technology use and reduce associated harms.
Dolly’s Dream Support Line
Australia wide, free 24-hour telephone service with qualified counsellors available to help by calling 0488 881 033.
Dolly’s Dream Parent Hub
Trusted information about online safety and bullying in one place.
Dolly’s Dream School Workshops
Online safety and anti-bullying workshops for students of all ages, as well as parents, teachers and the general community.
Mental Health & First Aid Training
Dolly’s Dream works with communities to deliver youth Mental Health First Aid training to help build their capacity in coping with mental health issues.
Learn more here.
Who does Dolly's Dream support?
Dolly’s Dream is committed to supporting young people, their families and the wider community, particularly those more isolated in rural, remote and regional areas of Australia.
Why is the work of Dolly's Dream so important?
Dolly’s Dream recognises that bullying can have a long-lasting and devastating effect on children and young people. We know that bullying is something that young people, their parents and carers, friends and educators are increasingly concerned about. Most adults who contact Dolly’s Dream are reaching out about their child being bullied.
Our aim at Dolly’s Dream is for children and young people to have a greater awareness, increased coping skills and more support to help prevent or deal with bullying, no matter where they live in Australia. We want them to have a better understanding of the consequences bullying can have, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders and self-harm, and what to do if these issues affect them or their peers. We want everyone to know they are not alone, Dolly’s Dream is here to support you.
Where does the funding for Dolly's Dream come from?
Dolly’s Dream is funded through the generosity of Australian communities, donors, businesses, corporate partners and fundraising efforts from our supporters.
Does Dolly's Dream get any funding from the Government?
Our Dolly’s Dream School Support Advisor in Darwin is co-funded by the NT Department of Education to deliver anti-bullying and cyber safety workshops at no cost to schools across the Northern Territory.
Where does the money go?
Funds raised for Dolly’s Dream by our generous donors, supporters and corporate partners throughout the year (including Do It For Dolly Day) goes towards our important anti-bullying programs and support services – see ‘What does Dolly’s Dream do?’ above.
How can I get involved with Dolly's Dream?
We all have a part to play in creating a kinder world, free of bullying. Here’s how you can be a part of the Dolly’s Dream mission.
What is Do It For Dolly Day?
Do It For Dolly Day is a day dedicated to bringing the community together, spreading kindness and going blue to stop bullying.
Do It For Dolly Day is held on the first Friday in May each year. The day is dedicated to bringing the community together, when thousands of supporters across Australia come together to honour Dolly by going blue (her favourite colour) participating in fundraising activities to help support the important anti-bullying work of Dolly’s Dream and share the message to be kind and speak even if your voice shakes.
How can I volunteer for Dolly's Dream?
Please contact community@dollysdream.org.au to find out if there are any current volunteer activities.
How can I work for Dolly's Dream?
Job opportunities at Dolly’s Dream come up every now and then, so keep an eye out on our Dolly’s Dream LinkedIn page for updates.
What is Dolly's Law?
Named after Dolly Everett, Dolly's Law is an important signal to everyone using technology that there are consequences to cyberbullying. The laws cover sending abusive emails, posting threatening or hurtful messages, photos or videos online or repeatedly sending unwanted messages. It also provides a basis for victims of cyberbullying to seek apprehended violence orders.
Attorney General Mark Speakman thanked Kate and Tick Everett for allowing the NSW Government to give their daughter’s name to the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 amendments.
“No parent should have to go through this devastating experience. This is why we are committed to protecting everyone in our community from online abuse – whether that be school children, victims of domestic violence or anyone else whose safety is put at risk by cyberbullies and online trolls,” Mr Speakman said.
“Dolly’s Law is now putting online abusers on notice that if their actions cause people to fear physical or mental harm, they face a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment.”
Who leads Dolly's Dream?
How is Dolly's Dream connected to the Alannah & Madeline Foundation?
After tragically losing their daughter Dolly to bullying, Tick and Kate’s goal is to prevent other families walking this road. Their goal is to change cultures and behaviours to prevent bullying, by increasing understanding of the impact of bullying, anxiety, depression, and youth suicide and by providing support to families.
The Alannah & Madeline Foundation shares this goal and has a long and successful track record of creating a safer online and offline world for children.
United by this common purpose, they formed a partnership to educate parents on the problems of bullying, its effects and how to deal with it; and then to empower children and adults to recognise bullying when it occurs and have the confidence and skills to stand up and talk about it.
Dolly’s Dream (ABN 96 514 115 810) sits within the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, which is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission (ACNC) and is endorsed as an Item 1 Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR).
