2022 is almost done and dusted! Here are our highlights.
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DOLLY’S DREAM SUPPORT LINE
As one of the Australia’s largest child anti-bullying organisations, Dolly’s Dream has teamed up with one of the country’s largest phone counselling service, Kids Helpline, to provide Australia’s first 24/7 support line for regional, rural and remote children and young people.
Stephen Bendle, Dolly’s Dream General Manager states, “It has always been a goal for the Everett family to provide a 24/7 support service dedicated to regional, rural and remote young people. Using their industry leading infrastructure, this partnership with Kids Helpline allows Dolly’s Dream to finally deliver a tailored solution to geographically isolated young people who may be struggling with bullying and/or other mental health related issues.”
Individuals can call the line at any time of day, and be connected through to a qualified counsellor. Web chat will also be available.
You can access the support line here 0488 881 033 or through the Dolly’s Dream website here.
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WORKSHOPS
Our Dolly’s Dream workshop facilitators spoke to thousands of students over the last few months about the importance of cyber safety, being kind and taking a stand against bullying. Some of the topics covered were recognising the importance of being kind online and thinking before posting content, developing critical reasoning skills around what is safe to share and with whom, considering digital footprint and understand how a negative footprint can impact the present and the future.
“We want everyone, including our young people, to be safe no matter what environment they are in. The online environment can sometimes be overlooked, but online harm is an issue that continues to raise its head and the consequences can be devastating. Bringing Dolly’s Dream into our schools, to empower our young to keep themselves safe online, is another way we, as community members ourselves, can work towards our overall goal of community safety.” – Youth Resource Officer Leading Senior Constable, Brendan Horrocks
“This session was the best I have ever seen and really was relevant to the experience of a young person.” – Year 10 student, Newhaven College
The conversations that we had with young people highlighted the need to further increase our workshop offerings, and next year we will be adding a couple more workshops for schools to book around resilience, kindness and bullying support.
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THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY FUNDRAISERS IN 2022!
Lilydale District Pony Club
January 2022
The Lilydale District Pony Club hosted a one-day event involving dressage, cross country, and show jumping at their cross-country grounds in Fairlands. They raised funds by holding a raffle with prize items donated by local families and businesses in the area. They raised an incredible $503! Such legends!
Dancing Under the Stars Roma
March 2022
The magnificent Dancing Under the Starts black-tie gala ball was again a tremendous success raising an incredible $26,680 for Dolly’s Dream. Thank you to the organisers, Tracey, Megan, and Katie, for your amazing support of Dolly’s Dream over the past four years.
Stuartholme vs Marist Netball Game
April 2022
The Stuartholme and Marist boarding competed against each other in a netball game. Funds were raised through a charity raffle, and sausage sizzle and blue ribbons were sold. Face painting was also available for a gold coin donation. An incredible $196 was raised to support Dolly’s Dream.
Palmgrove Pintpot Campdraft
May 2022
The charity auction held at the Palmgrove Pintpot Campdraft was raising funds to support Dolly’s Dream, The Rescue Helicopter, and the Royal Flying Doctors Service. The auction went off with a bang raising $11,033 for each of the three charities. Event organizer Loretta said, “Honoured to be able to raise funds for Dolly’s Dream and help make a difference in someone’s life.” Thanks, Loretta, for your fantastic support, and we hope to see you back in the future.
Northern Districts Hack & Dressage, Blue Dressage Day
June 2022
The Northern Districts Hack & Dressage raised an incredible $1,500 at their members dressage event where they invited competitors to wear blue or decorate their horses with blue ribbons, saddle pads and paint. “Congratulations to Kate & Jaz who were the winners of our N.D.H.D. best presented award at our Blue Dressage Day in support of Dolly’s Dream”, said Tania Rigney, Treasurer. Thank you, Northern Districts Hack & Dressage!
The Outback Marathon Dolly’s Dream Team
July 2022
This year we had three amazing Outback marathon runners choose to support Dolly’s Dream as they completed a personal physical challenge. Larissa and Suzie complete the half marathon, Sarah Heathwood ran the half marathon and Maria Dunne believes that anything is possible and ran in the marathon. Altogether they raised over $3,000 for Dolly’s Dream. Well done, team! Such a legendary effort by all of you!
An Ultra Marathon Effort by Melissa Gregory
August 2022
Melissa set herself the epic challenge of running 100km in the Birdys backyard ultra-marathon. Melissa reached her goal and ran a total distance of 100.6km in support of Dolly’s Dream. Melissa said, “it was by far the most challenging thing I have ever done, both physically and mentally. It sure as heck made me know I’m alive” Melissa finished the ultramarathon race at 1:12 am! Melissa, thank you for putting your body on the line to raise an incredible $3,419! You are our champion, and we are in absolute awe of your ultra-marathon efforts.
Raine & Horne Darwin
September 2022
The Raine & Horne Darwin team hosted multiple fundraising activities over four months in the lead-up to a conference they were holding in Katherine. Sally, the event organiser, said, “we had lots of fundraising activities which got a lot of the team involved and participating. We had a raffle for a lovely big hamper full of goodies, lucky number boards, chocolates to purchase in the office, morning teas, guess how many lollies in the jar and multiple sausage sizzles and cake sales.”
“Dolly’s Dream has a huge support and knowledge base online and over the phone, which has already helped people we know and many people all over the country. When we presented Kate and Tick with the fundraising cheque, Kate’s comment was, ‘you have no idea how much counselling this will get the kids’, which brought it home how our fundraising had made an impact.”
Thank you, Raine & Horne Darwin, for helping us raise awareness of the serious issue of bullying.
Nutrien Ag Solutions Bendigo
October 2022
Nutrien Ag Solutions Bendigo branch held shearing demonstrations and had blue wool bale stencils available for a gold coin donation at Elmore Field Days. All proceeds were donated to Dolly’s Dream to help create a kinder and safer world for Australia’s kids and communities. Nutrien Ag Solutions Bendigo raised $172! Thanks, Nutrien Ag Solutions, for your generous support.
Caitie’s 21st Fundraiser
November 2022
Caitie supported Dolly’s Dream by holding a birthday fundraiser at her 21st birthday celebrations. She asked guests to donate to Dolly’s Dream. Caitie raised an incredible $269. Thank you for your generous support, Caitie.
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THANK YOU ALL FOR AN AMAZING 2022, SEE YOU IN 2023!