Family of Amy Everett launches campaign to raise awareness around bullying and depression

'Dolly' Amy Everett

'Dolly' Amy Everett Source: Facebook

Family and friends have gathered in the Northern Territory town of Katherine to farewell a 14-year-old girl who took her own life after enduring cyber bullying. Amy 'Dolly' Everett has been remembered as a "kind, caring and beautiful soul".


Amy Everett, also known as Dolly, came from a well-known cattle family and was a boarder at Scots PGC College in Queensland.

Last week she tragically took her own life after alleged cyberbullying.

Hundreds of members of the community of Katherine came together to honour the 14 year old at the primary school where she once studied.

Despite the pain, her father Tick Everett reflected on the good times.

"We will remember Dolly as a kind, gentle and loving little girl who loved her animals and cared so deeply for other people less fortunate then her."

Her friend Taniesha Southeron said she is still trying to come to terms with the loss.

"Everyone who knew Dolly when they found out what happened they would have asked themselves, was there something I could do?"

One mother who knows all too well the pain of losing a child to bullying is Michelle Pearson.

Her 14 year old son Kodi ended his own life two years ago.

"I just went, it's so similar to Kodi, I just went straight to the family because It's the most darkest lost feeling ever."

One in five young Australians aged between 8-17 have been bullied online.

Dolly's story has ignited a national conversation about bullying.

The federal eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant  says there are lots of support programs kids can turn to if they need help.

"I think the awareness is there, but the help seeking is not there so young people need to know they should talk to a trusted adult, they can come to the esafety office. There are also great services like Kids Helpline, Reachout."

Tick Everett is pleading for parents to heed warning signs.

"It should not have taken the loss of a young life to drive this change but this is where our journey will start.  This to all the parents - please check your children - talk to them, talk to them about their relationships, talk to them about their bullying whichever way it might be happening. Please just talk to your children and anybody else and remember, speak even if your voice shakes. So stop bullying, be kind and do it for Dolly."


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