Bass Coast organisations throw their support behind anti-bullying group Dolly’s Dream
A new program aimed at improving the online safety of children has the backing of school groups across the Bass Coast. Find out how to help your child.
Bass Coast News
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The Bass Coast community is throwing its support behind a program dedicated to improving the safety of young people.
Students are getting a leg up in online safety after many local organisations have worked to bring anti-bullying group Dolly’s Dream top the community to run online safety workshops in local schools.
More than 40 workshops will be held from Monday October 10 to Friday October 28 in primary and secondary schools across Wonthaggi, Rhyll, Newhaven, Cowes, Inverloch and San Remo.
The workshops are tailored for the different age groups and there will also be specific workshops for parents.
Dolly’s Dream is an anti-bullying organisation established by Kate and Tick Everett after their daughter Dolly took her own life when she was just 14 years old after continuous bullying and online bullying.
Dolly’s Dream general manager Stephen Bendle said the workshops would be a safe place for different levels of the community to learn about online safety.
“Designed by leading experts and delivered by teacher-trained facilitators, our workshops are built to be interactive and engaging, without fear of judgment,” he said.
The workshops also have the support of the wider Bass Coast community with many organisations like Victoria Police and the council getting behind the initiative.
Youth Resource Officer Leading Senior Constable Brendan Horrocks said community safety is at the core of everything Victoria Police does and these workshops would give parents and their young people an extra level of safety.
“We want everyone, including our young people, to be safe no matter what environment they are in. The online environment can sometimes be overlooked, but online harm is an issue that continues to raise its head and the consequences can be devastating,” he said.
Bass Coast College’s San Remo’s Campus Principal, Emma Harris, said she jumped at the opportunity to hold the workshops.
“These workshops are an important preventive measure which will help to continue to ensure the online safety and wellbeing of our students,” she said.
The Phillip Island RSL, Wonthaggi Lions Club, Watersure and Blue Light are also helping to bring the Dolly’s Dream workshops to Bass Coast schools.
“Empowering our young to keep themselves safe online, is another way we, as community members ourselves, can work towards our overall goal of community safety,” Leading Senior Constable Horrocks said.
Bass Coast Shire mayor Michael Whelan said council was thrilled to see Dolly’s Dream in Bass Coast.
“We are proud to be able to support this program and see it roll out in our local schools. We want all young people living in our communities to be safe online,” Cr Whelan said.
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