Prevention and education on bullying and cyberbullying will be the focus of a community partnership between the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys and anti-bullying initiative Dolly’s Dream.
Dolly Everett was just 14 when she tragically took her own life after an extended period of bullying and cyberbullying, and her parents Tick and Kate were at Cowboys HQ today for the partnership launch that will increase the reach of the Dolly’s Dream message in the Cowboys’ footprint and beyond.
The Cowboys’ Round 9 home game at the new North Queensland Stadium next year will see Dolly’s Dream featured in ‘Community Corner’, enabling the initiative to raise awareness with members and fans attending the Saturday night game against the Titans.
Cowboys General Manager – Community Fiona Pelling said the partnership was a natural fit with the club’s focus on improving mental health and social and emotional wellbeing in the community.
“We’re delighted to welcome Dolly’s Dream to our family of community partners,” Ms Pelling said.
“Through our partnership with The Resilience Project we’re already working with a number of North Queensland school communities on building resilient and happy children and young adults. It’s crucial that we also tackle some of the challenges such as bullying and cyberbullying that can impact negatively on mental health.
“Dolly’s Dream has a strong focus on change to culture and attitudes on bullying in regional Australia, and we want to help make a difference.”
Tick and Kate Everett, the founders of Dolly’s Dream and the 2019 Australian of the Year Local Heroes, said they were thrilled to partner with the Cowboys for 2020.
“We know this community partnership will help raise awareness of the devastating effects of bullying and cyberbullying,” they said.
“The Cowboys were Dolly’s team and it’s wonderful to build on her legacy with the club she was passionate about.”
Dolly’s Dream has raised over $1.7 million to help stop other families suffering from the same terrible loss. As well as providing bullying and cyber bullying resources through its website, it advocates to policy discussions with state governments and territories.
Through the support of national children’s charity, The Alannah & Madeline Foundation, Dolly’s Dream also provides expert advice to schools and parents on bullying and cyber bullying and was a contributor to the Queensland Government’s Anti-Cyberbullying Taskforce.
For more information, visit dollysdream.org.au.
