About the BashThe history of the Bash in Australia goes way back to 1985, when entrepreneur Dick Smith gathered up a group of mates in old cars and went for a drive from NSW to Queensland. By doing this, they raised $250,000 for Variety in the process. The event was, at that time, touted as
"a drive in the outback with a few mates".
Dick made sure everyone was on a level playing field – all the cars had to be over 30 years old and non-performance modified. This idea still exists today in the Variety Bash! He did now know then that he was creating what would become Australia's most successful and well-known charity motoring event!
In 1989, the idea was brought to the then "Variety Club of Western Australia" by Keith Graham. Keith had just gone in the Bash in the NSW event the year before. He then organised the first Western Australia bash in with 95 people taking part in the Perth to Kalgoorlie trip.
Nowadays, thousands of West Australians, from all walks of life, have entered this Bash across WA. They have travelled over 75,000 kms and raised more than $37 million for WA kids in need. This all requires a huge dedication, commitment and generosity of all the WA Bashers, supporters and sponsors. It makes such a difference to the lives of sick children or children with special needs.
The eventNowadays you can even buy a car for the event and you can see any current ones for sale at this
site. This year, the Bash will be held on 18th to 25th August, 2015. The Variety Bash is not a race or a rally, but a fun and social event.
The Bash will be heading south through the vineyards, and the journey will include everything that makes a trip down south a great one! Here there will be many campfires and it's "great vintage" Bashing at it's best! It will go through National Parks, near local breweries, and trout or marron-filled streams. It will pass sandy beaches, caves, and so much more. It will culminate somewhere near Perth on Saturday 25th August, one long week later.
For those actually taking part in this great event, it will be memorable.
The Bash is for anyone who has a sense of humour and sense of adventure. If you do not mind getting dirty and you want to help children, then this event is for you.
The WA Variety Bash route and destination change each year.
The Variety Bash has a very safe record with all cars being tracked during the day by officials. These officials are in contact via HF radio, and satellite phone, with a central command post. The Variety Bash has its own team of paramedics and has contact with car workshops and local authorities. Cars are all checked over before the event and a team of mobile mechanics attend the event to assist anyone who has a problem with their car.
All vehicles must have been manufactured before 1994 and they must be 2WD vehicles.
There is a levy charged and this includes, amongst other things, your camping over the week. If you do not want to camp you can book your own accommodation, at your own cost.
All breakfasts, lunches and dinners are also covered in the levy fee. Also included are entertainment, and incidentals, as well as support from an experienced team of mechanics, medical staff and officials. You will also receive Variety WA Bash merchandise including an official event shirt.
Details of costs are:
Entry: $220 per Bash Car including GST, and payable on entry
Levy: $1,650 per person including GST
Minimum Fundraising: $4,000 per new Bash Car, $8,000 per returning Bash.
You can find out more about The Bash, fees and all else at their
website.
About Variety
Variety is an organisation that helps when others can't. Families and organisations can always turn to Variety – the Children's Charity - when government assistance isn't available. Variety provides support through grants for children and families for things like:
Mobility equipment and wheelchairs
Communication devices and education aides
Medical items and services
Therapy services, including occupational therapy and music therapy
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Variety is a very trusted and reliable charity. They have given about $2 billion in grants globally to help these sick and disadvantaged children.
Why not "give it a go" and register for this year's Variety Bash - you can do this here.
