THE Australia Day long weekend, Fleurieu Campdraft, at Tailem Bend, will be a sea of blue, as riders take a stand against bullying.
Saturday January 27 – the second of the three day event – has become a ‘Draft for Dolly’ fundraiser in honour of fourteen-year-old Amy “Dolly” Everett.
The Northern Territory teenager took her own life earlier this month after persistent bullying.
Since her death there has been an outpouring of support for the Everett family who have established a foundation, Dolly’s Dream, to raise awareness of bullying, depression and youth suicide.
Competitors are being encouraged to wear blue – Dolly’s favourite colour – and the committee hope to have a speaker from the local mental health service.
Fleurieu Campdraft Club secretary Karen Dugmore says they felt compelled to hold a fundraiser for the foundation and get the conversation started around bullying.
“Campdrafting is a family sport as and as a community we look at Dolly and think she is no different to our own kids,” she said.
“She was only three months younger than my son.
“We think that being a bit rural we are a bit protected from these things but Dolly shows this is not the case and it can be seriously tough for kids growing up.”
Mrs Dugmore has already noticed a positive shift in behaviour, with parents talking to their children and bullying victims bravely speaking up on social media.
“We can all say horrible things and we all know bullies but we need to start these conversations with our kids earlier. We need to be good role models for them to model their behaviour on ,” she said. “
Mrs Dugmore says there is no specific fundraising goal for the day but she is confident it will be well-supported by the 150 competitors from across SA, Vic and western NSW.
“The campdrafting community is an amazing group which really gets behind things and we are also encouraging spectators if they feel affected by this to also come along and put some money in the tins,” she said.
The Dugmore family have donated a size 12 shirt for the charity auction, with other items including a bag embroidered with the hashtag #DoItforDolly, donated by Country Sew N Sew, Tintinara.
Entrant and photographer Kristen Ayliffe will also have a stall with blue neck scarves and other accessories and prints for sale.
- More details on Fleurieu Campdraft Club Facebook page