From helping one abandoned baby in 1928 grew a global children’s charity, transforming children’s lives around the world.
How we began
One afternoon, a group of men were playing cards backstage at a theatre
The year was 1927, the town was Pittsburgh, USA, and the 11 theatre owners and showmen were part of a social group, calling themselves the Variety Club.
They heard whimpering from the auditorium of the Sheridan Square Theatre. When they investigated, they discovered a one-month-old baby girl to whom her mother had pinned a desperate note:
Please take care of my baby. Her name is Catherine. I can no longer take care of her. I have eight others. My husband is out of work. She was born on Thanksgiving Day. I have always heard of the goodness of show business people and pray to God that you will look after her.
- A heart broken mother
Despite an extensive search, the mother is never found. The men informally adopt the baby and name her Catherine Variety Sheridan. They go on to pay for Catherine’s education and upbringing. This prompts the club to start raising funds for other disadvantaged children and Variety – the Children’s Charity is born.
From the inspiration and motivation of a single child, one of the world’s greatest children’s charities grew—all across the globe.
The History Of Variety
For more than 50 years, Variety has been there for Australian kids when they need it most.
From humble beginnings to nationwide impact, our journey has always been about one thing; giving every child the chance to dream, achieve, and thrive.
See how far we’ve come — and how far we’ll go to help every child live without limits.
1927
On October 10 1927 a group of eleven theatre owners and variety performers formed a social club, the Variety Club, based at the William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, USA.
1949
Variety opens the Variety Club of Great Britian. HRH Prince Phillip is a founding member, and lifelong patron for 72 years
1974
TV personality, Paul Hogan, became the first Chair, with another TV personality, Stuat Wagstaff as Deputy Chair.
1975
Variety Australia is founded in Sydney! As a tribute to the show business origins of Variety, offices are referred to as ‘Tents’ and Chairmen are Chief Barkers.
1975
King Charles III (then Prince Charles) became the first Variety Club of Australia patron – it was Prince Charles first Australian patronage; A role he continues to hold today
1980
The Ladies of Variety committee was established Gillian Mapp, wife of Grahame Mapp, one of Variety’s first Board members.
1980-1991
Founding Board member, Grahame Mapp, became Chair and the next five years saw more than $2.5 million raised. Variety granted more than one hundred Sunshine Coaches during its first 10 years.
1980
Regional Committee’s were established across Australia – West Australia in 1980 under Bob Maher, Queensland in 1981 under Earl Bailey, Victoria in 1982 under Dulcie Bowling, South Australia in 1984 under Jeremy Cordeaux, with Tasmania and the Northern Territory following in 1991.
1985
Adventurer and philanthropist, Dick Smith, organised and ran the first “Bash.” Leaving the Sydney Opera House steps on June 1 1985, the first Bash raised $250,000 for Variety’s grants to children. The 1985 Bash was the first motoring charity event in Australia.
1991
Variety partners with McDonalds to launch McHappy Day.
1992
The first national “Heart to Heart” Bash in run, with participants from all states converging on Uluru for a national celebration.
2004
Worldwide, the Variety Clubs adopt the name Variety – the Children’s Charity to better reflect the organisations work.
2019
Variety delivers its 1300th Sunshine Coach.
2025
Variety celebrates 50 years, having raised more than $700 million to assist more than 2 million kids and families in Australia. Variety has granted more than $110 million on goods and services to children who are sick, experiencing disadvantage or living with a disability in the last decade alone.
Our Impact
Help when it’s needed most
The enormous generosity of the Variety community has changed the lives of thousands of Australian children in need for over 50 years.
Together we’ve created a place where children and their families can turn to for help when times are tough and when there is nowhere else to turn.
