HUNDREDS of colourfully-dressed Variety Victoria Bash participants set off from Swan Hill’s Riverside Park on Friday morning, as they kicked off their 12-day journey for a good cause.
This year was the first time the Victorian Variety Bash had set off from Swan Hill, bringing close to 80 fully decorated vehicles to town before they started their trip to Queensland’s Airlie Beach.
Participants went all out with their costumes and cars, themes ranging from royalty and highway patrol officers to the Simpsons and Sesame Street characters.
Not even a slight drizzle could put a halt to the festivities, as car horns sounded from the range of different cars, that were manufactured at least 25 years ago.
The event was launched with the assistance of Variety Victoria chief executive Mandy Burns, Swan Hill Mayor Cr Stuart King and The Nationals leader Peter Walsh.
Ms Burns said the morning had “inspired us to look at doing this more often in regional towns”.
“Regional towns are the best place to start on a journey like this,” she said.
“It’s great to be in a regional community, everyone is that bit closer together and it feels as though this is something that has really brought people from across the state together.
“This morning has been just amazing, there’s nothing better than seeing a sea of costumed characters getting ready to head out on the Bash.”
Mayor Cr Stuart King said the morning had been “a fantastic opportunity to showcase our city and region” to participants and the support crew.
“The morning held such a fantastic atmosphere, it was great for all of those who came out and witnessed the variety of themes on display for Variety Victoria,” he said.
“Variety like to shift the starting point around to different regional centres across Victoria, they used to start in Melbourne but this year we were the lucky city.
“For Variety to come up to Swan Hill and give generously to some of our local schools and a local family, it really shows the good-heartedness which the Bash is all about.”
The Variety Bash raises funds for Victorian children who live with disabilities, illnesses or those experiencing disadvantage.
Last year’s Variety Bash raised more than $1.4 million for children in need, with more than $30 million raised by Variety Victoria’s Bash since its first run in 1985.
The Bash began thanks to entrepreneur Dick Smith, who journeyed with a group from Bourke, New South Wales to Bourketown, Queensland – raising $250,000 along the way.
But the Variety Bash has now grown into one of the biggest events for the charity, with close to 100 first-time rookie entrants taking part this year.
The crew of car 74 are no rookies, embarking on their sixth Variety Bash – participant Mark Coad said it was great to see that close to a third of the cars were new entries.
“It’s so great to be back on another Bash, seeing so many new entrants and old friends,” he said.
“The Bash is a great way to see some of the undiscovered parts of the country, and it’s also a really good cause to be a part of.
“We did one of our early bashes in an old black Mercedes that we were given – we had to come up with a theme, so we just painted the door white.
“We fell in love with the Bash, so we got this car that used to be a nana’s everyday drive – it used to be brown, but we gave it a bit of a touch-up and it’s come up great.”
Ms Burns said Variety wouldn’t be able to assist as many children without the generosity of Victorians across the state.
“Variety distributes grants in the community and to individuals,” she said.
“There has been thousands and thousands of sausages that had been sizzled, jams that have been made and arms that were twisted of the families and friends who have donated their money.
“The smiles of the children on stage is really a translation of the hard work and effort of all the people who are standing here this morning.
“If anyone in the region knows people or a person who would benefit from Variety’s help, please check out our website and apply for a grant.”
The smiling children were from a handful of local schools, including Nyah District Primary School and Sea Lake’s Tyrrell College – both schools receiving 20 bicycles to kickstart their bike education programs.
