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History of the Bash
The annual Variety Bash is Australia's most successful charity motoring event. It is the focal point of fund raising efforts by many hundreds of supporters of Variety, with all money raised helping sick, disadvantaged and special children.
The Bash was originated by businessman, explorer and philanthropist Dick Smith in June 1985 when he organised a group of people to travel from Sydney to Bourke in Far West New South Wales, and from there to Burketown in Northern Queensland.
Dick wanted to take a few mates for a drive in the outback in old cars and at the same time raise money for charity so he charged everyone to enter, and entrants were able to bribe the officials or be fined.
The Variety WA Bash began in Western Australia in 1989, and nineteen years later, the Channel Nine Coles Variety Bash is stronger than ever -- attracting more than 200 entrants and raising more than $1,000,000 net in 2006 alone.
The Bash is not a race or a rally -- in fact, the most important thing about the Bash is that speed is not important! What really matters is that everyone has an enjoyable time travelling in parts of Australia they would not otherwise see, at the same time raising money for special children.
Drivers and crews, however, are anything but standard! Drawn from all walks of life, these enthusiasts come together on the Bash to drive along rough outback roads and bribe and cheat their way past the officials.
Whilst the Bash is a fun filled adventure, there is a serious side. Visits are made to schools, hospitals, individuals and other organisations to make donations of much needed equipment and facilities, with the Bash raising more than $10 million since its inception in 1989 for WA's sick, disadvantaged and special needs kids.
Story of Variety WA (Tent 74)
To improve the quality of life of Western Australia's sick, disadvantaged and special needs children while keeping the fun in fundraising.
Variety is a worldwide volunteer organisation devoted to helping sick, disadvantaged and special needs children through the efforts of local chapters known as 'Tents'. The symbol of Variety is the heart and that, signifying the 'giving heart of show business'.
It all started in Pittsburgh, USA, in 1927 when a group of 11 young men working in a theatre, formed a social club called Variety. On Christmas Eve 1928 at a party in the Sheridan Theatre, Pittsburgh, an infant girl was found in the stalls of the theatre. Attached to the blanket, in which the little girl was wrapped, was a note... "Please take care of my baby. Her name is Catherine. I can no longer take care of her"... signed 'a broken hearted mother.'
Proving the heart of show business was a big one, the members of the first Variety Club decided to foster the baby. She was officially named Catherine Variety Sheridan. Variety 'Tents' are now spread throughout 14 different countries.
Variety Australia, Tent 56, began in 1974 with Paul Hogan as Chief Barker.
Variety in Western Australia first commenced as a region of Tent 56 back in 1980. Through the efforts of some outstanding West Australians, on 28 April, 1995, Variety the Children's Charity of Western Australia was awarded 'Tent' status and became Tent 74.
From its modest beginning as a Regional arm of Variety Australia, Variety WA has grown into an outstanding organisation and has been recognised as one of the Top Ten Tents in the world four out of the past five years. Quite an extraordinary achievement when you consider Tent 74 is one of the most isolated Variety Tents in the world.
In more than 25 years, Variety WA has raised and given away more than $14 million dollars, with over 2000 members and supporters all committed to changing the lives of WA's special children, as we work towards even greater fundraising success in the years to come.
