THE Australian Agricultural Co hosts its fourth annual long lunch and charity auction in Brisbane this Thursday, as part of the company’s ongoing fundraising effort for the Dolly’s Dream foundation – and 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 in Brisbane this Thursday (12 June) will feature a collection of ten outstanding charity auction items donated by beef industry stakeholders. The same event last year, supported by satellite fund-raisers on AA Co properties, raised an incredible $210,000 for Dolly’s Dream, and organisers are hoping to go close to that figure again in 2025.

As well as the lunch guests in the room, beef industry stakeholders across Australia can participate in the auction, either through pre-bidding (open now via Stocklive), or by participating remotely during the live auction, being webcast on Thursday afternoon from 3pm.

Auction items this year include:

Bective Station experience (Tamworth NSW) donated by AAM: Up to ten people will spend two nights enjoying AAM’s iconic cattle property, the stunning Bective Station, outside of Tamworth in Northern NSW. The experience includes a farm tour, interactive butchery experience and plenty of time to relax with a drink and a spot of fishing in the Peel River. There’s also a tennis court and extensive gardens with plenty of space to get lost or wear the kids out before dinner.

Bullockhead Creek Offset Smoker BBQ, donated by Bullockhead Creek Smokers and Grills: Makers of world class custom BBQs, on offer this year is the special Dollys Dream Custom 16” Offset (pictured left). This is a one of kind, truly unique, beautifully crafted BBQ. And the Dolly’s logo lets you show your support, as well as acting as a conversation starter with your family, friends, or colleagues.

Oaks Day Flemington Experience: One of last year’s most popular items is back for the second year and thanks to John Molenaar, Lisa Hewitt and the Elders team. This year, the package is even better, with a special Ladies Day birdcage experience during Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival. Flights and accommodation are included. Oaks Day on Thursday 6 November is all about elegance and excellence, and the winning bidder will be right in the middle of it.

Custom Dolly’s Dream calf cradle, donated by Morrissey & Co: Morrissey & Co is giving cattle people the chance to bring Dolly’s Dream to their cattle yards with a custom calf cradle. This is a unique, one-of-a-kind way to show your support for a wonderful cause, while getting the hard work done with quality equipment on station.

Dolly’s Dream Branded 301.7 Mini Excavator. Generously donated by Hastings Deering and valued at close to $50,000, this item is uniquely painted in Dolly’s Dream blue. The 1.7 tonne mini-excavator comes equipped with rubber tracks, manual hitch, 300 and 450 GP buckets and a 1000m ditch bucket – making it perfect for digging up the backyard or streamlining your on-farm workload.

British & Irish Lions vs QLD Reds Experience for 4 People, donated by Gallagher. The package includes four tickets to the much-anticipated game between the Lions and the mighty Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday 2 July. This will be a sold-out match, featuring numerous Wallabies stars and is a key precursor to the test series. With thanks to AA Co and ex-Wallabies Tim Horan and Nathan Sharpe, also included in the package is lunch at one of Brisbane’s best Restaurants at a time and date suitable to Tim and Nathan.

Road Trains of Australia stock haulage: RTA is known across the cattle industry as among the best in long distance cattle haulage, and owners Dave and Bart Jones have thrown their support behind Dolly’s Dream with this highly desirable item – 6 decks of stock cartage for 500km. RTA is a big supporter of Dolly’s Dream across the North, with staff and families at home who draw on the wonderful resources that the Dolly’s Dream Foundation offers.

Penfolds Grange Shiraz 2008 Wine: Every May the wine world goes into a frenzy when the new Penfolds Grange and other luxury Penfolds cuvees are released. But there was even more excitement back in 2008 when this particular vintage was given a 100-point score by Robert Parker’s the Wine Advocate. Donated by AA Co’s chief commercial officer, Andrew O’Brien.

Australian Open Tennis Finals, Flights and Accommodation, donated by Nutrien and Qantas: Nutrien Ag is a major contributor to Dolly’s Dream, and the company has donated another exceptional experience for this year’s fundraiser. This premier sporting event package includes a $2000 travel voucher with Qantas to help cover flights for two people to Melbourne, two nights’ accommodation within easy walking distance of Rod laver Arena, and tickets to the 2026 Australian Men’s and Women’s final. Thanks to AA Co, the winners will also enjoy a dining experience at one of Melbourne’s best restaurants, Stokehouse, where Westholme Wagyu features on the menu.

AA Co Station Adventure (3 days for 6 people, visiting 3 AA Co properties aboard ‘Air AA Co’s’ Pilatus PC-12). See spectacular wildlife by chopper, drink billy tea amongst the Mitchell grass, enjoy smoko by the water and see cattle production on a grand scale. It’s a once in a lifetime adventure that you’ll never forget.

Click this link to access the Stocklive auction page, either to place a pre-bid in advance, or to participate remotely in live bidding on the day from 3pm AEST.

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.

David 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 all the AA Co fundraisers, said they had been overwhelmed by the support of the agricultural industry since they lost Dolly.

“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.

• The Long Lunch event is sold out. Any queries about the charity auction can be directed to: aacodollysdream@aaco.com.au or call Sam on 0427 028 657.