THE Australian Agricultural Co hosts its third annual long lunch and charity auction today as part of the company’s ongoing fundraising effort for the Dolly’s Dream foundation – but its not too late to participate in the bidding.
Dolly’s Dream was created by NT couple Kate and Tick Everett following the shattering loss of their 14-year-old daughter, Dolly, to suicide. The charity seeks to change the culture of bullying by addressing the impact of bullying, anxiety, depression and youth suicide, through education and direct support to young people and families in the bush.
AA Co’s ‘Long Lunch’ fundraiser today will feature a collection of nine outstanding charity auction items donated by beef industry stakeholders.
Last year’s second event raised an incredible $145,000 for Dolly’s Dream, and organisers are hoping to top that figure this year. Platinum event sponsors are AAM Investments, Hastings Deering, Morrissey & Co, Nutrien and Elders, with gold sponsors including Commonwealth Bank, lawyers Allens, meat wholesalers Dunnett & Johnston and Australian Wholesale Meats and Zoetis.
Auction items this year include:
- Custom Dolly’s Dream calf cradle, donated by Morrissey & Co
- Legune Station Experience, donated by AAM
- A custom kangaroo hide plaited whip donated by AA Co
- Legendary Barbecue Experience with chef Brent Poulter, donated by Low n Slow Meat Co Mestiza
- A-List Melbourne Cup trip for two, including access to the exclusive Birdcage at Flemington, donated by Elders
- Unique Wallabies Experience with former Wallabies Tim Horan and Nathan Sharpe, donated by Rugby Australia and Channel 9
- Penfolds Bin 707 Magnum 2002, donated by Andrew O’Brien
- Australian Open Tennis finals package, donated by Nutrien and Virgin
- AA Co Station Adventure (3 days for 6 people, flying in ‘Air AA Co’s’ Pilatus PC-12.
Industry stakeholders not attending the long lunch in person will have the opportunity to bid on the charity items via the Stocklive online platform. Bidding is now live and will continue until 1.30pm this afternoon – click here to access .
Bids can be made either live from the room during today’s long lunch; remotely via a live a webcast on the Stocklive platform during the lunch from 2.30pm, or online pre-bidding up to 1.30pm today, using the link above.
Part of the AA Co ‘family’
AA Co managing director David Harris said the company was proud to be fundraising for Dolly’s Dream again this year.
AA Co chief executive Dave Harris
“It’s a cause that’s close to our hearts – the Everetts spent part of their life on AA Co properties and we consider everyone who works for us at some point, part of our family,” he said.
“We raised a significant sum at last year’s event and hope we can at least match that again. A big thank you to our sponsors for helping make it happen.”
“Of course, ultimately, it’s about the message behind the cause – spreading kindness and changing the culture of bullying. Hopefully we can make a difference,” Mr Harris said.
Kate, Tick and Meg Everett, who have attended AA Co fundraisers, said they had been overwhelmed by the support of the agricultural industry since they lost Dolly.
Kate and Tick Everett
“From all corners of Australia people have helped our family get through the worst time you can imagine. They have stood up, stood together, and put their hand in their pockets to help Dolly’s Dream, and bush kids who are doing it tough,” Tick Everett said.
“The generous and continued support from AA Co and its staff is making a real difference to kids all around Australia, who need to know that they can speak even if their voice shakes, and that there is a community behind them when they do,” he said.
Any queries about the lunch event or the charity auction can be directed to: dollysdream@aaco.com.au or call Sam on 0427 028 657.