Today (May 8), communities across Australia will come together to mark Do It For Dolly Day, a national day of action dedicated to standing against bullying and choosing kindness.
‘Do It For Dolly Day’ was established in memory of Dolly Everett, who took her own life at just 14 years of age following ongoing bullying and cyberbullying. From unimaginable loss came a powerful movement, led by Dolly’s parents, Kate and Tick.
They continue to inspire a growing community: a sea of blue and butterflies united by messages of kindness, courage and connection.
Before Dolly died, she completed a sketch with the words ‘speak even if your voice shakes’, a powerful message that lives on through this movement.
Bullying, in all its forms, can have lasting impacts. It affects young people’s confidence, their sense of belonging and their mental health.
Whether it happens face to face, online, or quietly in exclusion and isolation, bullying thrives when voices are silenced and when people feel they are facing it alone.
Do It For Dolly Day is a reminder that bullying should never happen, and no one should have to face it alone.
It is also a call to action for families, schools, workplaces and communities to actively create environments where people feel safe to speak up, where their voices are taken seriously and where courage is met with care and support.
Wearing blue today is more than a gesture.
It is a visible sign that we stand together.
That we choose empathy over indifference.
That we are willing to listen, to intervene and to speak, even when our own voice might shake, in order to protect young people before harm takes hold.
Through initiatives like Do It For Dolly Day, Dolly’s Dream provides resources, education and support to help prevent bullying and assist young people and families when bullying occurs.
These efforts remind us that kindness is not passive. It is something we practice through our actions, our words and our willingness to notice when someone might be struggling, and to say something.
Today, let’s pause and reflect on the role each of us plays. Let’s check in on the people around us.
Let’s model respect, compassion and courage. And let’s remember that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is use our voice.
Because doing it for Dolly means doing it for every young person.
Today, and into the future.
