HISTORY OF THE BASH
THE VARIETY BASH IS NOT
A RACE OR A RALLY
It’s an adventure with mates driving 25 year old plus cars through regional parts of Australia that you might otherwise not see, all in support of Variety – the Children’s Charity.
Throughout the Bash, participants visit local towns, stopping into schools and organisations to visit the kids. Bashers get to see the direct impact of their fundraising efforts along the way, with a range of educational, health and mobility equipment provided to local schools and organisations enroute.
The event is all about having fun in support of Aussie kids. There are always festivities along the way, from theme nights to entertainment and other activities and games on the road.
A Bash takes place in each state across Australia, with two in NSW; the Variety B to B Bash, and the Variety NSW Bash.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
1985
The Variety Bash started in 1985, when entrepreneur and adventurer Dick Smith took a group of intrepid motorists from Bourke NSW to Bourketown Queensland in old cars, raising $250,000 for charity along the way.
Dick had friends from all walks of life – from multi-millionaires to battlers – and the event was his idea of a great equalizer. Touted as “a drive in the outback with a few mates”, Dick made sure everyone was on a level playing field – all cars had to be over 30 years old and non performance modified, a sentiment the Variety Bash retains today.
The Bash is not a race, rally or speed trial. The single most significant rule of the Bash is to relax and enjoy the Australian Outback and help raise funds for kids in need!
TODAY
Since that first event, over $200 million has been raised, changing the lives of thousands of children across Australia.
