Dolly Everett’s parents back push for national standards on bullying - and say the death of Charlotte O’Brien ‘takes them back’

Dolly Everett’s parents have worked tirelessly to help children in the six years since their daughter’s death. Here they reveal why they’ll never give up the fight to help victims of bullying.

The death of Dolly Everett on a remote cattle farm in the Australian outback in 2018 was the first time the nation stopped to discuss the issue of bullying and youth suicide.

Now, in the wake of Charlotte O’Brien’s death, the topic is firmly on the agenda again.

Over the six years since Dolly took her own life, her parents Kate and Tick have worked tirelessly to help as many children as they can, by setting up Dolly’s Dream and providing workshops for schools across the country — especially those in the bush — as well as a community funded 24-hour support line.

Dolly’s parents Kate and Tick Everett. Picture: Jane Zhang

They have also been involved in many conversations with governments about what more can be done to help stop bullying and support The Sunday Telegraph’s push — supported by premiers and chief ministers across Australia — for a national standard to deal with school bullying.

Dolly suicided on a remote cattle farm in 2018. Picture: Supplied

“It would be great if there was a national something … we’ve been involved in several round tables in Queensland and New South Wales, and my husband has been really, really pushing for that national recognition.

“But how do we do that and what that looks like, no one has seemed to be able to put that together.”

Dolly grew up on a remote cattle farm outside Katherine in the Northern Territory and was a tough girl, able to drive trucks and break in horses, from the time she was young.

So remote was the Outback life she grew up knowing that her parents sent her to a boarding school in Queensland, which first required a 900-kilometre drive from the cattle farm to the airport and then a flight.

Dolly Everett was subjected to years of bullying before her death. Picture: Supplied

But while there she was subjected to years of online bullying, including horrible name calling.

Mrs Everett said every time she sees another headline about a young person taking their own life, particularly when bullying is involved, it not only “takes her family back”.

“It takes the wind out of our sails, in the respect of: ‘How is this still happening?’,” she said.

“But I can guarantee you, on the same day as I will see those headlines, we will get a message from someone who has said, my daughter has been struggling and we started buying her Dolly’s Dreams shirts just as a token of ‘You are loved’.

“We’ll often get photos from parents, or even the children themselves, saying thank you for what you do because I’ve changed my friend group, I’ve changed schools, I’ve changed my attitude and I didn’t want to be here, but now I know I’m worth fighting for.”

Mrs Everett said that this year alone Dolly’s Dream has worked with more than 20,000 kids.

Considering a recent report detailed that for every 167 kids who are exposed to a cybersecurity and bullying workshop, a child is rescued, the death of their daughter has likely led to them saving the lives of 200 children in 2024.

“To the schools that haven’t got it right, we are definitely here with those workshops that focus on cybersafety, digital footprint, cyber bullying and just kindness itself,” Mrs Everett said.

“I guess my call to action for parents is, if you’re on a P and C (parents and citizens group) go and push for this to be part of your school.”

Dolly’s Dream 24-hour support line: 0488 881 033