Life is a highway for participants in the Variety Vic Bash, who, after a 12 month fundraising campaign, embark on a 10-day trip through the heart of Australia to make life easier for underprivileged children, Eddie Russell reports.
You would think a seemingly endless convoy emerging from the desert haze was a scene straight out of Mad Max.
But instead of raising hell like the road warrior himself, those barrelling through the barren lands of rural Australia were raising money to help kids who need it most.
And for the 244 people travelling through the outback in 81 vintage cars last month, raise money they did – an enormous $1.6 million in total.
Their efforts were for children’s charity organisation Variety Victoria as part of an annual fundraising event, the Variety Vic Bash.
From August 16 to 24 this year, participants drove more than 3300 kilometres starting in Swan Hill and finishing in Airlie Beach.
In the thick of the action were six Bacchus Marsh locals in two themed vehicles – Apollo 11, piloted by Shane Jenkins, Paul Menzies, Mick Belcher, and Glen Burgin, and Wonderland, featuring Elizabeth Porter and Liz Barby.
Both crews were taking part in their fifth ‘bash’ and contributed more than $10,000 each directly to Variety.
Shane Jenkins said that “the challenge” and “the cause” were what enticed him and his mates to get involved.
“We felt like it was a good opportunity to give back a bit … and it’s a motoring event, which suited us because we are into cars,” he said
“Doing it for the kids and going away with your friends to places you would potentially never go were the driving force behind it.”
An important feature of the fundraiser is the themed component; its silly and uplifting nature is to give kids who are visited along the route something to smile about.
Elizabeth Porter, who dresses as Alice as part of the Wonderland car, said the costumes resonated deeply with young people.
“It’s a great opportunity for kids to reconnect with their childhood fairy tale characters and that’s been a hit every year,” she said.
It is also well received by confused and delighted onlookers, said Ms Porter.
“We often forget we are in costume and it not only brings us a laugh with locals but some really nice donations along the way.
“It’s a bit of fun rolling into a service station and out pops Alice and the Queen of Hearts to clean off the windscreen and pump fuel.”
Crews are not informed of their route until the morning of departure – Ms Porter likened this experience to following the white rabbit.
“You never know where you are going from one day to the next and there is always an adventure to be had,” she said.
In 2019, Mr Jenkins and his lifelong friends decided to dress as the Apollo 11 crew to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, which they were awarded the best theme for.
Mr Jenkins said he thought it was a great idea because it was “appealing to kids” and also suitable for the landscape.
“The theme fits in well with the outback settings of central New South Wales and Queensland,” he said.
“We’ve had Variety take photos of us with an Australian flag out where there are no blades of grass and we joke that it is like a lunar landscape.”
While they are very much amateur astronauts – their space suits are made out of doonas and the rocket atop their 1988 Mercedes 300 SEL is made of PVC pipe – they are now veterans of the tour.
With the money raised by each car, Variety donate a variety of hardware and equipment for disabled or disadvantaged youth, as well as grants to assist those servicing kids in need.
On this year’s journey, more than 20 schools in remote towns were given $120,000, impacting more than 3000 kids.
Mr Jenkins said he got to see first-hand the disparity faced by some children in regional communities and how Variety aids them.
“One of the schools we went to, which was staffed by teachers who were predominantly volunteers, had a breakfast program because a lot of the kids don’t eat much at home.”
“Variety gave them a few thousand dollars and they do that a lot… there are a number of things that the money is used for and the idea of the bash is to stop in and donate those gifts.”
Ms Porter shares Mr Jenkins’ sentiment.
“It is life changing for recipients … I know that sounds very cliche but it is so true.
“Seeing children get out on the playground amongst their peers because they now have a wheelchair … it is so important for their development growing up.”
Despite the cost of living crunch and other “fantastic charities”, people have made the effort to pitch in for a range of reasons, said Ms Porter.
“The general public has contributed, whether it be buying a raffle ticket or giving a donation. It might be because they have been affected or know somebody who has been a recipient of Variety’s work,” she said.
“We are also more than grateful for the continued sponsorship that goes towards the fundraising from some of our local businesses, who have supported us from day one.”
After donating to the Apollo 11 crew, Melton Toyota dealer principal Grant Harrison was inspired to get in on the action.
“For years I’d always wanted to do something like this but I am always too busy … but when we sponsored Shane I thought I should do it,” said Mr Harrison.
Mr Harrison has already purchased a 1985 Toyota Crown Royale for next year’s bash from Hamilton to Darwin, where the ‘Melton Toyota Emperors’ will join Apollo 11 and Wonderland at the starting line.
“We are paying our respects to where Toyota started back in 1930s Japan… we’ll dress ourselves up, raise a bit of quid, and have a bit of fun.
“Our goal is $10,000 but if we can raise $15,000 that’d be awesome because it’ll all go to the kids.”
One hundred per cent of proceeds from team donations go straight to Variety – there is no subsidising costs for vehicle purchases, costumes, petrol, or accommodation.
