Sad farewell to fun-loving ‘Dolly’
Family’s emotional message after funeral
THE heartbroken parents of former Warwick schoolgirl want you to stand up to bullies.
After saying their last farewell to Amy “Dolly’’ Everett, parents Ian and Kate, and sister Megan, yesterday united in issuing an emotional plea.
“It shouldn’t have taken the loss of a young life to drive this change, but is where our journey will start,” they said.
WARWICK schoolgirl Amy “Dolly” Everett has been remembered as a cheeky, fun-loving girl who adored animals.
As her family said their final farewell in Katherine yesterday, the girl who once ordered around her father’s boss and demanded he give her an icypole has become a catalyst to stop merciless cyber bullies.
In a statement after the moving service yesterday, Dolly’s father Ian Everett said his daughter’s story was also that of many other children.
Dolly’s death has captured the hearts of the nation, after she took her own life last week after suffering constant bullying and harassment.
A passionate anti-bullying campaign is spreading as the family of the former Scots PGC schoolgirl hope to help save other “precious angels”.
“It is sad. There’s probably thousands of kids who’ve already done this,” Mr Everett said.
“With anything in life, somebody’s got to stand up and try to make a change.
“We realise there are still going to be kids slip through the cracks — that’s life — but we’ve got to save as many as we can.”
The heartbreaking desire was echoed in Warwick yesterday where an intimate gathering said goodbye.
Scots PGC student Lourens Wiid attended the funeral, and said everybody was feeling the sorrow of Dolly’s passing.
Friends and family of the Everett family around the country yesterday paused to show their respects to the teen, once the face of the iconic Akubra hat.
Pale blue balloons were released over Evans Head in Lismore in memory of Dolly and respect for the anti-bullying campaign.
Mr Everett thanked the media and public for the response to the campaign.
“As a family, we will remember Dolly as a kind, gentle and loving little girl who loved her animals and cared so deeply for others less fortunate for her,” he said.
“She was loved by so many and made friends with everybody she came across.”
If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or visit Lifeline.org.au or beyondblue.org.au.