Variety WA Bash 35 Years Young!
It’s a special anniversary for the mad-cap Variety Bash, which involves novelty themed older cars touring around the countryside. This year, the Western Australian Bash celebrates its 35th year of fundraising for kids in need.
A total of 48 cars and 160 participants head off this year on a bucket list Kimberley Dreaming tour for the signature charity event.
The trip kicks off on Friday 6 September and travels from Halls Creek to Lake Argyle to El Questro and Mt Hart finishing up south of the rocks on Cable Beach, Broome on Saturday 14 September.
Variety WA CEO Chris Chatterton is excited about both the route and the impact the event will have in the region: “It’s a fabulous Bash this year visiting the iconic destinations in the rugged Kimberley areas. As part of the journey, we will be visiting four remote community schools to provide vital grants as well as spreading awareness of how Variety WA can assist kids living with disability or experiencing disadvantage. The support of our Bash community, who spend all year raising funds to support children is something we really treasure.”
One participant is the Variety WA Chair, Jay Wakefield, who loves the camaraderie the event creates as well as the difference it makes to children’s lives across the state: This year is so special for Variety, which has been running this event for 35 years! So many people, so many cars and so many kids smiles over that time. It’s going to be great to be in Halls Creek for the opening night on Friday 6 September, before we head off for eight days of adventure, fun and camaraderie, making a difference everywhere we go.”
Event Coordinator Jo Woodford has spent a year pulling together an amazing itinerary of challenging and scenic on and off-road drives, school visits, games and theme nights for participants and is a Bash veteran: “This will actually be my 18th Bash and I always look forward to seeing the difference we are going to make in the Kimberley. Not only do some of the people we meet have life challenges but this year a lot of these kids have geographical hurdles in accessing services and receiving support. Hopefully the grants we give along the way will provide a little relief and assist in making life a little bit easier.”
The Bash would not be possible without the incredible and generous support of all the volunteers who donate their time and expertise in supporting the participants, and the generous sponsors who make the event possible. With thanks to this year’s amazing sponsors and partners:
Europcar, Chalari, Gold Security Group, Burgess BLA, Osborne Smash Repairs, Refresh, Shelter Brewing, Westralian Diamond Drillers, Magic Enterprises, Seeley International, Perth Detailing Centre, Mount Hart Lodge, K&S Freighters, Kwik Kopy, PEP, Plunkett Homes, Sovereign, Midland 4WD Centre, Trucks and Trailers.
Here’s the dream itinerary:
- 6 Sept: Halls Creek
- 7 Sept: Doon Doon Campground
- 8 Sept: Lake Argyle
- 9-10 Sept: El Questro
- 11 Sept: Mt Elizabeth
- 12 Sept: Mt Hart
- 13 Sept: Mystery Location
- 14 Sept: Broome
In August 2025, Variety will celebrate its 50th year of operations in Australia and to highlight the anniversary we will be staging the first ‘National’ Variety Bash in 10 years, whereby every Variety Bash route will be coordinated to be in one place to celebrate the collective achievement.
Through the support of the South Australian Government, SA has been crowned as the Official Destination Partner for the iconic National Bash in August next year. Over the last 50 years Variety has distributed more than $200m in grants to support children who are sick, disadvantaged or live with a disability.
We can’t wait to share all the fun, incredible experiences, and magic of the Bash. Stay tuned for updates from the road. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
