Family of Akubra 'Dolly' launch anti-bullying campaign after suicide

The family of 'Dolly' Amy Jayne Everett is planning on launching an anti-bullying campaign to raise awareness of bullying and harassment.

'Dolly Amy Jayne Everett.

'Dolly Amy Jayne Everett. Source: Facebook

The family of the 14-year-old girl who took her own life last week will be remembered in a social media campaign to raise awareness for bullying.

A public service will be held in the Northern Territory in memory of 'Dolly' Amy Jayne Everett, the former face of the Akubra Hats brand, as the family look to establish a trust called "Dolly's Dream".

In a statement to the ABC, the family told them of "Dolly's Dream" and said they would like time to grieve the loss of their daughter.

"This is all we are capable of at the moment and ask for your respect to give us time to grieve," the family told ABC in a statement.
The Facebook photo used by Dolly Everett's family.
The Facebook photo used by Dolly Everett's family. Source: Facebook: Tick Everett
"Our daughter Dolly was the kindest, caring, beautiful soul, and she was always caring for animals, small children, other children at boarding school who were less fortunate than herself.

"Out of all the sadness that the loss of our daughter has brought to our lives, we feel that through losing Dolly we would like to help other families by making an awareness of bullying and harassment that some people are sadly subject to."

Father Tick Everett took to social media to describe his grief over the loss of "Dolly" Amy Jayne Everett, saying his beloved daughter felt she had no other option.

"I know for some suicide is considered cowardly but I guarantee those people wouldn't have half the strength that my precious little angel had, Doll had the strength to do what she thought she had to do to escape the evil in this world," he wrote on Facebook.
"However, unfortunately, Dolly will never know the great pain and emptiness left behind.

"If we can help other precious lives from being lost and the suffering of so many, then Doll's life will not be wasted."

Akubra Hats posted its own tribute, shared more than 11,000 times, honouring the girl who was the face of their previous Christmas advertisements.

"To think that anyone could feel so overwhelmed and that this was their only option is unfathomable," the company wrote.
"Bullying of any type is unacceptable. It is up to us to stand up when we see any kind of bullying behaviour.

"Our hearts go out to her family and friends."

The service will be held on Friday at the Casuarina Street Primary School in Katherine East.

Friends and family are asked to wear blue, which was Dolly's favourite colour.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

  • Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.
  • MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78.
  • Multicultural Mental Health Australia www.mmha.org.au.
  • Local Aboriginal Medical Service details available from www.bettertoknow.org.au/AMS
  • Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5 to 25)

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