THE Australian Agricultural Co will host a long lunch and charity auction as part of its ongoing fundraising effort for the Dolly’s Dream foundation in Brisbane next Thursday, 29 June.

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 next Thursday will feature a collection of seven outstanding charity auction items donated by beef industry stakeholders.

The inaugural event held last year raised $70,000 for Dolly’s Dream, and organisers are hoping to top that figure this year. Major event sponsors are financier CBA, lawyers Allens, property specialists LAWD and meat wholesalers Dunnett-Johnston and Australian Wholesale Meats.

Auction items this year include:

• A Legune Station Experience (went for $11,000 at least year’s auction)
• AA Co Station experience (Went for $40,000 at least year’s auction)
• Signed Sydney Swans AFL Jersey
• CPC branded cattle hide (carrying brands form all the CPC cattle stations)
• A Brisbane Broncos experience, including six tickets to the double-header on 27 July, a unique sideline experience and a signed football
• A custom kangaroo hide plaited whip (the equivalent went for $11,500 at least year’s auction)
• A framed Queensland Reds Rugby Jersey

Industry stakeholders not attending the long lunch in person will have the opportunity to bid on the charity items via the Stocklive online platform – click here to access 

Bids can be made either live during the long lunch, or remotely via the Stocklive platform. Remote bidding starts at 9am on Tuesday, 27 June, with pre-bidding closing 2pm Thursday 29 June, and the live auction from 3pm Thursday 29 June.

More details on the auction items will be provided in a follow-up story on Beef Central next Tuesday, once the pre bidding facility is live.

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 attended last year’s event, 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 Jo on 0419 734 802.