NSW Variety Bash 2012

Continuing the 'B' tradition that's been a part of the Variety Bash since Dick Smith initiated the first event in 1985, Sydney's Balmain will be the start point for this year's event on August 19, while the finish point will be at Bamaga - right at the northern tip of Cape York - on August 28.

The route will cover 4,202 kilometres, detouring through some of NSW's remote regions including Merriwa and Mungindi and some of Queensland's iconic outback towns, such as Archer River and Charters Towers on the way to Bamaga.

The Bash is not a race or a rally, but rather a drive in the Outback with like-minded fund raisers, "driving the miles for the smiles", enjoying travelling to parts of Australia that they may not otherwise see, at the same time as raising money to support kids in need.

While there are few rules, Bashers must be in a pre-1974 vehicle, two-wheel drive only, no charabancs, omnibuses, motorbikes or motorised wheelbarrows allowed! Once on the route in your pre-1974 machine, which should be decorated as weirdly and wonderfully as possible, blatant cheating and bribery are not only allowed but encouraged in order to raise much-needed funds for kids in need!

Bashers will stop in various remote towns along their journey, spending time seeing the sites and helping out the local community. As well as raising the much needed funds for kids in need, many entrants view the Bash as simply a holiday with good friends, with the added benefit of raising money for a good cause.

A fully tax deductible donation of $8,500 to Variety, the children's charity is required to take part in the Variety Bash, any amount raised above this may be used for the purpose of bribing and corrupting officials during the event. Participants are encouraged to begin fundraising in advance of the Bash and get their family, friends and work colleagues involved. While, there are no trophies for speeding or special timed sections as they don't exist on the Bash, trophies are rewarded for the highest fundraisers.

Last year, more than 134 vehicles took part in the Variety Bash and raised $1.82 million nett. This year even more are expected to take part in Australia's most successful charity motoring event. The NSW Variety Bash is the focal point of the fundraising efforts by many hundreds of supporters of Variety. Since the first Bash the event has raised in excess of $115 million nett for kids in need.

2012 NSW Variety Bash route
Sunday August 19th: Balmain - Merriwa - Narrabri
Monday August 20th: Narrabri - Mungindi- Goondiwindi
Tuesday August 21st: Goondiwindi - Surat - Roma
Wednesday August 22nd: Roma - Arcadia Valley - Emerald
Thursday August 23rd: Emerald - Charters Towers
Friday August 24th: Charters Towers - Cairns
Saturday August 25th: Cairns - Kuranda - Cairns
Sunday August 26th: Cairns - Laura - Archer River
Monday August 27th: Archer River - Bramwell Station - Bamaga
Tuesday August 28th: Bamaga - Thursday Island - Bamaga

For further details, go to www.variety.org.au/NSW/Events/Balmain-to-Bamaga-Bash/

NOTE: Information nights for prospective and registered entrants are being held at the Gladesville RSL on May 16, June 20 and July 18.

Variety, the children's charity is dedicated to transforming the lives of children with special needs. In 2012, Variety celebrates 37 years of enriching, improving, and transforming the lives of children in need throughout Australia.

Unlike most other charitable organisations which focus on a single problem, Variety knows no boundaries in helping children in need and supports children suffering with 74 different conditions. During Variety's vibrant 36 year history in Australia, it has granted over $160 million in specialised medical equipment and services to individual children, children's medical facilities, children's emergency transport services, schools and support organisations. Survival, independence, self-esteem, mobility, communication, education, achievement, hope, joy and smiles only scratches the surface of the immeasurable lifelong difference Variety, the children's charity has, and continues to make.