Barooga Public School students dressed in blue for Do it for Dolly Day on Tuesday, May 5.
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Blue filled classrooms, workplaces and shopfronts across Cobram last week as the nation marked Do it for Dolly Day, an anti-bullying initiative encouraging kindness and awareness among young people.
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The day is held in memory of Dolly Everett, who took her own life in 2018 after experiencing prolonged bullying and cyberbullying.
Peyton Robertson.
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Her parents, Kate and Tick Everett, founded Dolly’s Dream to help prevent bullying and support families affected by it.
The organisation works to change the culture of bullying by raising awareness, promoting kindness and providing vital support services for young people and their families, including workshops and the 13 DOLLY support line.
Do it for Dolly Day was on May 8 this year, with people encouraged to wear blue — Dolly’s favourite colour — to honour her memory and raise awareness. A total of $1.9 million was raised last year.
Isla Robertson.
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In Cobram, schools and local businesses marked the occasion in different ways.
Barooga Public School took part on Tuesday, May 5, with students encouraged to wear blue and bring a gold coin donation.
Principal Matt Collins said it was the school’s first year supporting the initiative, which was organised by the Robertson family whose two daughters attend the school.
“It was a nice, feel-good day, and we made it all about kindness and inclusion,” Mr Collins said.
Barooga Public School students Abby O’Kane, Claire Stevenson and Olivia Drew.
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The school raised just under $500 with the help of the Robertson girls, Isla and Peyton, who sold blue Anzac cookies in their own time to raise additional funds.
Through the family’s dairy farming connections, Bulla Dairy Foods provided free ice-cream for students on the day.
Nutrien Ag Solutions in Cobram also held a fundraiser on Friday, May 8, handing out bacon and egg rolls with any donation.
Nutrien Ag Solutions Cobram branch held a brunch for Do it for Dolly Day.
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Abby Green
Branch manager Michelle Greenwood said the business has been a long-time supporter of Dolly’s Dream.
Last year the Cobram branch raised around $1000 and at last count it had doubled that this year, raising more than $2100.
Ms Greenwood said community involvement had increased, with around 100 rolls supplied to neighbouring businesses.
“We had the Cobram District Specialist School come over too and pick up some rolls with their kids, which was really sweet,” she said.
Cobram Secondary College also supported the day, with students baking blue cupcakes and cookies to raise awareness and funds.
Cobram Secondary College baked cupcakes and cookies for 'Do it for Dolly Day'.
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