Do It For Dolly: St Joseph’s slimes the staff

Dolly’s Dream is an anti-bullying and suicide prevention charity created by Kate and Tick Everett after they lost their 14-year-old daughter Dolly to suicide after she suffered constant bullying.

Every May 10, schools, groups and individuals fundraise on Do It For Dolly Day by wearing blue, Dolly’s favourite colour, and promoting anti-bullying strategies.

Teachers Jess Carmichael and Amy Eade, learning support officer Dee Palmer and principal Liz Trewick were slimed in the name of charity.

The school’s pavilion hosted the event, with the wider community joining in to watch and support.

The goal was to raise $1000 as a school so that Mrs Trewick could be slimed. This number was reached easily, with the school more than doubling its goal.

Mrs Carmichael organised the event and was happy to see the fundraising goal reached.

“We’ve done (Do It For Dolly Day) before, but not to this scale,” Mrs Carmichael said.

“I just think with everything that’s been happening in the world, a little bit more kindness goes a long way, so we just wanted to do something bigger than what we did last time.

“We’ve raised over $2000 ... we’re really excited that we could do that and we did it in two weeks.”

The 2.30pm event finished the school’s Family Wellness Day, which saw district businesses Yoga Spot, Tiny Tails, Bendigo Laughter Club, Enchanted Rainbow, Quality Mind and Body Echuca and Kelly Sports, as well as Rochester Lion's Club, bring activities for students and their families to enjoy.

“We were given a grant, which was amazing,” Mrs Carmichael said.

“(It was) a lot of reconnecting and resilience-building, being in a space they haven’t been in for a little while.”

Students were overjoyed to slime the staff, with Year 6 students tasked with preparing the mixture.

Mrs Carmichael was the first to be slimed, dancing her way into the pavilion. She had one bucket of slime poured over her.

Next was Ms Palmer, with two buckets poured over her as the students chanted “Dee! Dee! Dee!”.

Miss Eade was third up, receiving three slowly poured buckets, which the school raised $632 alone to see.

Finally, Mrs Trewick was slimed, with the biggest buckets saved for last.

Four buckets were poured by students, followed by a tub poured by Mrs Trewick’s son and another tub poured by her husband on behalf of Sportspower Rochester.

The staff members were all smiles following their sliming, dressed in their freshly purchased op-shop finds.

Mrs Carmichael said the cold, slippery slime was worth it for the cause and to see the students having fun.

“It’s something to make them smile,” she said.

“A core memory for them ... I just don’t know how to top it for next year.”