Do It For Dolly Day 2026: Shock phone call after years of relentless bullying in high school

Do It For Dolly Day 2026: Shock phone call after years of relentless bullying in high school - 9Honey
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Devastating phone call Isabella never saw coming after years of bullying
By Jo Abi | 1 week ago
Three months before their Year 12 graduation, Isabella's best friend Jared died by suicide . Both had been bullied relentlessly in high school .
"We're not 100 per cent sure if it was a direct relation of the bullying , but it was happening to him and a few of us others as well," Isabella told nine.com.au.
"He was one of those shy, reserved kind of kids, but once he was comfortable with you, he was very outgoing and really good fun."
Three months before their Year 12 graduation, Isabella's best friend Jared died by suicide. (Supplied)
For Isabella, the bullying began in Year 11. For Jared, it was "more or less the whole time" he was in high school.
"I always had different interests," Isabella said.
"I was that weird horse kid, always riding, I drove a ute, and I was just picked on for that kind of thing."
Isabella coped with the help of her art teacher, who let her stay in the art rooms outside of class time.
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"I always had different interests. I was that weird horse kid ... and I was just picked on for that kind of thing." (Supplied)
It wasn't until she chronicled the bullying in a story written for English class in Year 12 that the school intervened.
"I was in a pretty bad place mentally and my English teacher at the time was like, 'Oh God, this is big.'
"They pulled me aside and asked, 'Hey, what's going on?' and I just unfurled. It sort of just spiralled from there.
"I didn't end up going to school for a couple of months in Year 11 as well, just because I didn't want to be there."
The bullying began in Year 11, with Isabella missing school for a couple of months: "I didn't want to be there". (Supplied)
The bullying was happening face-to-face and via messages, including from fake social media accounts.
Isabella can't recall exactly what was said to her in the messages now, but says they were along the lines of her being "a freak and a loser" and "weird".
She and Jared never spoke about their bullying experiences, but were aware of what was happening to the other.
"When we lost Jared, I got a call from one of my other best friends in the morning while I was on the school bus," she recalled.
"It was just really weird, sort of like, 'Holy sh-t, someone's actually died from this kind of thing.'"
'I got a call from one of my other best friends in the morning while I was on the school bus.' (Supplied)
At school that day, she recalls seeing the students who had bullied Jared, and Isabella was incensed when some of them attended his funeral.
"That was really tough to deal with. There's one boy in particular, I've never forgiven him."
Years later, when she spotted that same boy and felt the same fury she did on the day of Jared's funeral, Isabella knew she needed help – and that she wanted to help others.
Isabella launched A Bark Above dog training . Having found comfort in her dog while she was being bullied and after losing Jared, she wanted others to find that same source of comfort.
Isabella and her beloved pet Fly posing for Do It For Dolly. (Do It For Dolly Day)
She's worked with at least one family whose child was being bullied at school, offering her support.
Isabella has also worked with an assistance dog company, helping veterans and Australians with mental ill health.
The organisation also suggested she have her dog assessed to be an assistance dog, which has helped her through panic attacks and challenging times in public spaces.
Isabella has also been raising funds for Do It For Dolly Day during this time .
Isabella has also been raising funds for Do It For Dolly Day during this time. (Do It For Dolly Day)
It was five years after Jared's death that Dolly Everett died by suicide at the age of 14 after relentless bullying.
Her parents Tick and Kate Everett, with their support of Dolly's sister Meg, launched Dolly's Dream, an organisation dedicated to changing the culture of bullying in Australia.
The organisation offers support to victims and their families, and runs workshops in schools.
Do It For Dolly Day falls on May 8, 2026 . This national day of action sees Australians across the country dressing up in blue in a show of unity against bullying, and in memory of Dolly Everett.
Dolly Everett died by suicide at the age of 14 after relentless bullying. (Instagram/Dolly's Dream)
Isabella and her support dog Fly were part of the official Do It For Dolly Day campaign in 2024. Isabella has since lost Fly, but treasures the memories of them together.
This year, she is walking 234kms to raise funds for Dolly's Dream and their important work.
"Eight years on, the love Australians have shown for Dolly and for our cause never ceases to move us," Dolly's mum Kate said ahead of Do It For Dolly Day 2026.
"This Friday we are asking every Australian to go blue and help us reach $2 million for the very first time.
Dolly's family launched Dolly's Dream to help combat bullying. (Suppled/Dolly's Dream)
"Every single dollar goes straight to supporting the many thousands of kids and families impacted by bullying right now across Australia.
"We want them to know they're not alone, that there is support available through our 13 DOLLY (13 36 55) bullying support line and web chat and the Dolly's Dream website.
"Please donate if you can at doitfordollyday.org.au."
If you or someone you know is in need of support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Dolly's Dream on 13 36 55.
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