“This is the fourth year that I have supported Dolly’s Dream with the Charity Steer Auction held in conjunction with the January Weaner Sale at the Western Victoria Livestock Exchange (WVLX) in Mortlake. Each year two of our weaner steers are donated and auctioned by our stock agents, Charles Stewart & Co.
“I lost the eldest of my brothers to suicide six weeks before Dolly took her life. As a baby, I was adopted, and 23 years ago, I found my biological family, and I had a family that I had never really had before for the first time. I got to know my birth mother, siblings, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. So, to suddenly lose one of my brothers hit me very hard. I was visiting the family with my daughters when the news of Dolly’s death spread across Australia.
“After the first anniversary of my brother’s death, I decided that I wanted to do something. So, I contacted the WVLX to ask if it was possible to do a charity auction for Dolly’s Dream at the Weaner sale. This year’s auction of the steers was the most successful so far! Charles Stewart & Co from Colac purchased the first steer for $4,100, and Nutrien Ag Solutions Warrnambool purchased the second steer for $3,800. I was utterly blown away by the amounts. So far, more than $18,000 has been raised to support Dolly’s Dream.
“I hope to continue supporting Dolly’s Dream each year and hope the little bit I do is helping to make a change in the lives of individuals and families who need support.”
We are so grateful for the incredible support from Margaret. What a difference her fundraising will make to our anti-bullying programs!