Charity bush bash

They’re bright, bold and brassy, and that’s just the occupants.

The Bash motto is: “The stranger the better”.

The cars often make statements about their drivers and passengers, who get a kick out of driving pre-1975 paddock bashers.

This month, 550 tarted up vehicles with about 2000 participants travelled roads from Queensland, through western NSW and dipped into Victoria to raise money for Variety, The Children’s Charity, on the Brisbane to Busby’s Bore (Sydney) Bash.

Halfway through the 10-day event, bashers reached the NSW border near Goodooga, forging on to Brewarrina, Tilpa, Broken Hill, Pooncarie, Balranald, Bonegilla (Vic), Wee Jasper, Bowral and into Sydney’s Centennial Park.

Entertainment was provided at pit stops on the journey from the likes of celebrities such as Vince Sorrenti, John Williamson and Wendy Matthews.

Bash Idol was a popular night and the band of Elvises were in their element.

Participants pay a minimum donation of $8500 to enter, but the buck doesn’t stop there.

There are “fines”, procured by devious officials who prise money from Bashers.

Blatant cheating and bribery are openly encouraged.

It is not a race, nor a rally, but a leisurely drive.

Trophies are awarded – not for speed but for fundraising efforts.

Yet there’s a more serious side to the annual Bash event, which raises money to support children in need.

In the past year, Variety granted 234 appeals for medical and playground equipment, prosthetics and coaches for children’s transport totalling $3.8 million.

“Variety helps children who would normally fall through the cracks of support and can’t get assistance elsewhere,” a spokesman said.

The charity supported children with more than 133 conditions, he said.

“Every dollar raised in Australia, stays in the country.

“Variety’s work allows children to gain mobility and freedom, to get out and about in the community, to be able to communicate, achieve independence and increase self-esteem and, where possible, we assist them to integrate into mainstream schools and events.”

There are also benefits for school children of some remote towns along the way who receive some largesse.

This year in northern NSW, Goodooga Central School and St Patrick’s School at Brewarrina both received $9610 for new playground equipment.

In the south, Wee Jasper Public School received goods worth more than $4000.

Hundreds of other schools across the country have benefited since the journey began 30 years ago, when adventurer, entrepreneur and philanthropist Dick Smith decided to recreate the fun of the Redex car trials of the 1950s with the Bourke to Burketown (northern Qld) Bash.

That first event in 1985 raised $250,000.

Mr Smith drove a 1964 EH Holden, which went on to complete every event until 2001, after which the front chassis rail broke.

Visitors to Sydney can view the beast in the Powerhouse Museum, where it stands as a tribute to the legendary Australian-built car.

To date, the Bash has raised almost $200 million for Variety.

NORTH West NSW residents were treated to the spectacle of the Brisbane to Busby’s Bore Bash, which raised money for Variety, the Children’s Charity.

Barwon MP Kevin Humphries said he was thrilled to see a cavalcade of pre-1975 cars in his electorate.

He said teams from most States gave generous grants to many Barwon schools, which were met with much excitement and gratitude.

The week started with the Queensland team giving $8000 to the Wanaaring Public School and $2475 to Diggers on the Darling in Bourke on Monday.

The NSW team stayed in Brewarrina on Wednesday to give the Brewarrina Central School a grant of $7137 for a classroom sound system, while the Queensland team donated $8910 to Tottenham Central School for the purchase of 20 desktop computers.

Thursday saw the South Australian team brighten up the streets of Lightning Ridge and Moree before stopping for the evening in Narrabri.

“We were happy to welcome each of the teams, and congratulate Variety Australia on continuing this wonderful initiative,” Mr Humphries said.