Riding the waves for kids in need
We have recently returned from the 2025 Yamaha Variety Jet Trek! The Jet Trek is unique to Variety Queensland and is Australia’s largest personal watercraft (PWC) event. Just like our other motoring events, the Jet Trekkers raise funds year-round, which Variety is then able to disburse during the course of the event.
This year’s route took the Jet Trekkers over 600km around Tasmania, launching from Hobart and stopping in Orford, Bicheno, St Helens, and Launceston, before the finish line in Devonport. The Jet Trekkers were on the water every day – experiencing beautiful conditions and stunning scenery, which some of the Trekkers rated as their favourite yet.
On the water photos by Variety’s own Matt Nutting.
Working alongside Variety Tasmania, we delivered much needed grants to families across the state.
We also provided funding for an interactive sensory room for Southern Support School in Howrah, whose roll consists of 90% non-speaking students with a diagnosed disability. In Triabunna, we provided funding for a community orchard to bring school age kids together to take part in a meaningful activity. And in Acton, we provided North West Support School with an OMI sensory projection system, which can be projected on almost any surface, with games, music and social activities that help engage students and their sensory needs – in turn helping with emotional regulation and educational outcomes.
In all, 277 Tasmanian children were positively impacted by the 2025 Yamaha Variety Jet Trek.
A feature of the Jet Trek is that we invite grant families to come along on the adventure. This year, we were joined by the Gatehouse Family, consisting of three siblings – Lily, Gemma and Lucas – who are vision impaired. All three were born with Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), a rare genetic eye disorder present from birth. The Gatehouse kids have had to adapt to a world where touch, sound, and routine play pivotal roles in their growth and discovery.
The Gatehouse family got to experience the mateship and generosity of the Variety family. Every night the children danced to live music – which was a first for brothers Andy and Eddie! Their mum Gemma was overjoyed to see her sons dancing amongst the Trekkers and filling the room with joy.
You will also know Miller – a Variety Queensland superstar! Even a rare and undiagnosable genetic condition hasn’t slowed Miller down – but his journey hasn’t been an easy one. We invite you to watch this update from Miller’s mum, Natasha D’Arcy, about how Miller has been experiencing absent seizures, and how Variety has been able to help with a safety sleeper bed – a temporary solution for now.
On our final night we heard a bit more about the D’Arcy’s struggles to secure NDIS funding for a permanent, secure bed to keep Miller safe. These beds range in price from $10,000 – $25,000 – so it has been a stressful and uncertain time for the family.
In true Variety spirit, the Jet Trekkers put their hands up to help Miller out, raising the balance of the funds needed for the D’Arcy’s to buy Miller’s bed. There was not a dry eye in the house!
We are so grateful to all our Jet Trekkers for their compassion and generosity. Here’s to next year’s event – which will ride the waves from Townsville to Mackay via the Whitsundays. You can read more about it here.
Miller’s brothers Victor (above) and Wilbur (below) got to experience all the fun of the Jet Trek with Rowdy and Amy, some of our fabulous Jet Trekkers!
