Day / Location/Diary

Daily Snapshot

Day 1 – Hervey Bay to Jimna
Lights, camera, action!!!  The 2011 XXXX Gold Variety Bash is underway!

The Bash start line is always a buzz with lights and sirens, cars and fire trucks, clowns and even frogs…. Yes frogs! This year the girls from car 73 have kicked their husbands out and taken over the car for 10 days of bashing! I bet those frogs are looking a little worse for wear after a few thousand kilometers!

The days in Hervey Bay prior to today’s start have been a brilliant reminder for our bashers as to why they spend the year fundraising. It’s not all fun, games and crazily themed cars, it’s also about making a HUGE difference to the lives of Qld kids in need….this year, bashers were able to handover a Liberty Swing AND Sunshine Coach before they even left the start line!  Our special thanks goes to Rotary club of Hervey Bay, Rotary Club of Hervey Bay City, Rotary Club of Hervey Bay Sunrise and Fraser Coast regional Council!

Stay tuned over the next 9 days to see just how much of a difference these guys are making to the lives of kids in need…and just how much fun and shenanigans there is along the way!

It's not easy being green.....

Click here to visit the 2011 XXXX Gold Variety Bash image gallery!

Day 2 - Jimna to Warwick
What a way to wrap up day two...a $600 donation from O’Shanley's Irish Pub, our final stop before we hit Warwick!!

So how did we get here... it was a chilly start to Friday but a beautiful sunrise as we crawled out of our swags and headed off to Goombungee State School, Kingsthorpe State School and Pittsworth State School. There were miles of smiles from the kids as bashers handed out loads of goodies to keep them occupied!  

Earlier in the morning some bashers were plucked from their cars by Bash Chairman, Wakkers, to make up his team for ‘footy day’ on the Top Hat Lounge. They capped their football fever off with a visit to Shane Webcke’s Royal Leyburn Hotel this afternoon.

As day two drew to a close, Bashers gathered in St Mary’s Hall for dinner while the search for Princess Fiona continues as Shrek auditions for a new girlfriend ahead of tomorrow's busy day.

Keep an eye out for tomorrow’s update! Bashers will start their day with a couple of presentations worth over $33,000. They’ll then make their way into Goondiwindi and dig out their dancing shoes because tomorrow night... Grease is the word!

Click here to visit the 2011 XXXX Gold Variety Bash image gallery!

Day 3 - Warwick to Goondiwindi
The Warwick community embraced our Bashers with open hearts and stoked fires while serving breakfast from 6am this morning. The hot coffee was a very welcome inclusion considering it was freezing when we all congregated at Leslie Park. The presentation of a new Liberty Swing and Scout Hut to the Warwick community was fantastic and after a couple of minor changes to the route instructions (to avoid mass confusion!) we were on our way. 

After 250km worth of stunning scenery and a trip along the rabbit proof fence we arrived at Inglewood State School. The Mobile Workshops and Auxiliary Workshops were pretty busy all morning with a number of breakdowns and even a car in the ditch!

Their efforts were rewarded when they arrived for lunch at Inglewood State School. The kids prepared lunch using produce from their own vegetable patch! School Principal, Peter Lund, organised a 'fete' to entice the kids back to school on a Saturday and we all enjoyed cakes, raffles and some fabulous community hospitality.

After lunch it was a lot of long, straight, dusty roads that lead us to a Passport Stop at Oasis Hotel. After relaxing for an hour or so we were off to Goondiwindi like Grease Lightning.  Pink Ladies, T-Birds and the Rydell High Athletics Team reunited for dinner and danced the night away to the music provided by Goondiwindi State High School students. Day 3 is history and day 4 a mystery....

Click here to visit the 2011 XXXX Gold Variety Bash Image Gallery

Day 4 - Goondiwindi to Lightning Ridge
A hearty breakfast and hot coffee was enjoyed by all this morning before we ventured off to NSW. 

Bashers were able to see the Variety contribution to the Goondiwindi High School tour group first-hand and meet the lucky teenagers who will visit Gallipoli in time to celebrate Anzac day in 2012.

We also welcomed 2 new Bashers for the day. Damian the clown was feeling a bit under the weather so he sent his grandmother, Mavis, and her friend Gladys along instead.  Much cheek pinching and route instruction hiding ensued as they hopped their way from car to car between Goondiwindi and Garah then on to the 2 Mile Hotel in Mungindi. 

150 colourful cars and over 400 colourful characters parked opposite the 2 Mile Pub in preparation for lunch. Given it was cricket day on Top Hat Lounge, it wasn't long before the stumps, bats and balls were dragged out and a game of cricket commenced. Against the backdrop of this iconic pub, a delicious barbecue and live music made for a very enjoyable lunch for all. After a short trip along dusty roads, and via the Saloon Girls & Chuck Wagon's Fun Stop, Bashers made it in to Lightning Ridge where vehicles were refuelled before everyone settled in to the Bowls Club for dinner.

A special breakfast treat awaits Bashers tomorrow morning but patience is required….once they’re up and ready to go there is 50km between them and their brekkie….

Click here to visit the 2011 XXXX Gold Variety Bash Image Gallery

Day 5 - Lightning Ridge to Nindigully
Day five – half way!

Bashers camped under the stars, and an unexpected sprinkler system, at Lightning Ridge resulting in some very soggy swags and drenched doonas in the early hours of the morning.

But a hop, skip and 50km drive into the mining fields was a perfect kick start to day number five. Opals are not the only gems at Sheep Yard Flats Inn it seems, this incredibly hospitable community of opal miners were discovered by Rob and Wassa after diverting the bash route during the second Bash survey. The diversion meant XXXX Gold Variety Bashers could spend time with this quirky community. Locals provided a stack of inspiration as they told stories of the January floods. One area in particular is expected to wait another 5 months before leftover flood waters have receded enough for them to see an entire 4km stretch of the highway!

A pit stop at the border town of Hebel allowed Shrek and Princess Fiona to high-five the kids and share some treats before we reconvened at Dirranbandi State School. The kids at Dirranbandi have just recently completed their ‘Dirranbandi’s Got Talent” contest and sure provided some brilliant lunch time entertainment.

It seems some cars are suffering from achey mechanical joints but the road to our final destination for day five was dusty and straight...You'll need to keep an eye on the Bash DVD when it comes out, rumour has it there was a prime mover towing 6 bash cars into Nindigully this afternoon….all at once!?

Hens, Bucks and Pigs of varying shapes, colours and sizes reunited around the campfires to cheer on the pigs in six different races where some great money was raised for Variety and much fun had by all with Egg, Hoola and Vic taking to the stage. 

So what comes after a hens and bucks party?? A wedding!! In true bash style! All we can say is watch out Miles here we come... 

Click here to visit the 2011 XXXX Gold Variety Bash image gallery

Day 6 - Nindigully to Miles
Our hens, bucks and pigs transformed back to Bashers this morning and reunited in front of the Nindigully Pub for the official 2011 XXXX Gold Variety Bash group photo. Our resident photographers took prime position on top of the fire truck to make sure they captured all 400 Bashers including wigs, costumes and flags. 

With group photos done and dusted, we hit the road to St George for morning tea at St George Bakery where they had specially designed a Variety Hat & Heart, Bay Whales to Hay Bales cake for us all.  Rob had organised the same cake to be given to the Variety NSW Bash on behalf of Variety QLD when they passed through St George a few weeks ago.

Next stop was an abandoned school at Wycombe before we were treated to lunch at a very lively and definitely well populated school in Surat. Surat State School opened their doors and kitchens to our Bashers.  It was the perfect opportunity for Rob to present the school with some resources for their newly refurbished library, thanks to the generosity of Variety sponsors and supporters. 

The afternoon was punctuated with passport stops (Royal Hotel at Meandarra and Condamine Hotel) and roadside cuppas at the Teddy Bear's picnic but the highlight for many Bashers would have to be the pit stop at Monty's Garage in Glenmorgan (the biggest little town in the Western Downs). The eclectic array of vintage cars, trucks, spare parts and memorabilia could have entertained Bashers for days but they had to tear themselves away to reach our final destination….Miles Historical Village. 

Dinner was served at the Historical Village in amongst original buildings from the 19th century.  It was a perfect location for a wedding – well, a pretend one.  So, given our beloved Bernie (nee Wallbey) and Pete Adams met on a Bash, it was clear to all that they should exchange vows (for a second time) in front of their XXXX Gold Variety Bash family and that they did...with a spectacular fireworks display to celebrate.  Their second honeymoon starts tomorrow (with over 400 of their closest friends) as day seven takes us all to Cracow.

Click here to visit the 2011 XXXX Gold Variety Bash image gallery

Day 7 - Miles to Cracow
Bash breakfasts never fail to jump start the day but this morning’s trip north also satiated the larger appetite.  After a quick hello at Wandoan State School bashers stopped for morning tea at Grosmont State School populated with just 6 students. En route to lunch, Bashers pulled over to engage their creative spirit and exercise their paintbrushes to contribute to a canvas that will be auctioned off later in the week. Strangely some Bashers left with more paint on them than the artwork.

After winding along dusty roads and over dried creek beds we arrived at Taroom for another delicious lunch cooked by the high school students.  It is easy to see why they are known for their catering prowess and are often requested to cook for out of school functions and sporting days. 

With full stomachs and following a presentation of equipment to the school we continued in a north-easterly direction to our overnight stop….via a special residence.  It’s amazing how Rob comes across such interesting properties and people when planning a XXXX Gold Variety Bash. During the second survey, a few months ago, Rob contacted a family to ask permission to pass through their property.  Not only did they agree without hesitation, they also suggested our Bashers may like to swing by their father’s grave….and they did.  It was a very unique opportunity to spend time at Rockybar Station, the final resting place of RM Williams who lived on the property between 1954 and 1970. It is a very beautiful spot for a very legendary man.

After paying their respects bashers kept motoring, heading from one Aussie icon to another! Tonight boxer Fred Brophy opened his doors to our Gypsy, Tramp and Thief costumed Bashers for another night of fun and fundraising. Stay tuned tomorrow to hear whether or not he dusted off the boxing gloves for us….

 





Click here to visit the 2011 XXXX Gold Variety Bash image gallery

Day 8 - Cracow to Kingaroy
From colour in Cracow to cheer in Chinchilla, we wrapped up the day bringing joy to Kingaroy!

Our hosts at Cracow waved the XXXX Gold Variety Bash good bye as over 150 cars took to some dusty but clear roads. Special thanks to the efforts of our scouts who went ahead, as they always do, to make sure everything was safe and sound for the convoy of cars to follow. Apparently overnight there had been several fallen trees so they were pretty busy first thing this morning.  Unlike yesterday, all gates along the way opened without incident (could have been because all 'chains without keys' that bolted gates shut had been used up on day seven's travels) so everyone had a clear run to lunch!

On arrival at Chinchilla (responsible for over 25% of Australian melon production by the way) dirt was dusted off eyebrows and everyone sat down to a delicious lunch prepared by Chinchilla State School’s P&C in their brand new sportsground kitchen.  Damian the Clown, Beautiful Geoffrey, Shrek, Puss in Boots and Princess Fiona managed to control the scores of noisy children who came to visit and accept the $15,000 Dance Program proudly purchased by Variety Queensland thanks to our wonderful supporters!

Sixty kilometres down the road, from a school with more than 400 kids to a school of just 14 our Bashers stopped by for a quick hello at Burri Burri State School before making their way to Kingaroy - the peanut capital of Australia.  One of our Bash Cars (Car 23) is actually already very familiar with Kingaroy, having once been the chauffeur car for Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen. The car is very appropriately decorated in stickers and sign writing of his famous sayings.

What’s in store for this evening? The suspense is over.... well almost.  Tonight is awards night! You'll have to wait until tomorrow to hear who raised the highest funds, which theme was most popular and which official is dearest to Bashers hearts....

 





Click here to see the 2011 XXXX Gold Variety Bash Image Gallery

Day 9 - Kingaroy to the Gympie Music Muster
Uphill and down dale. Over creeks, through gates and under bridges, the Variety Bash is complete!

The 2011 XXXX Gold Variety Bash has weaved wonder in the west and wound up at the Gympie Music Muster. We've laughed, we've sung, we’ve danced. We've caught up with old friends and made new ones. We have brought noise, colour, cheer and smiles to young and old throughout our journey, covering over 3000km in the process.

Most important of all, we have raised a staggering $1,325,000 dollars for Queensland children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs. Our top three fundraisers raised over $300,000 between them. Our sincerest thanks must go to our sponsors, our staff members, our volunteers and of course our beloved Bashers. We couldn't do any of this without you and we wouldn't want to. You are an integral part of the variety family and so many children benefit from your ongoing support and friendship.

So now that we’ve crossed the finish line, let's all kick back and do what we do best…. Have fun at the Gympie Music Muster, relive the memories and look forward to next year.

2011 XXXX Gold Variety Bash HIGHEST FUNDRAISERS
FIRST - Car 888 Scooby Doo - Mark & Julie Smith
SECOND - Car 1977 - Sue Nevins, Megan Just, Toni (Nana) King
THIRD - TOPHAT - Steve (Wakkers) Wakerley, Samantha Traylen

It's official! The 2011 XXXX Gold Variety Bash has raised over $1,325,000!!!

With the last few kilometres now finished, the highest fundraisers announced and the awards handed out it is time for us to thank some people for their wonderful support.

This event wouldn't be possible without the hlpe of our wonderful officials who have worked tirelessly over the last nine days to ensure bashers were able to reach their final destination AND that everyone had fun along the way.

A special thanks to our favourite sponsors XXXX who have, once again, provided us with the necessary support to make this event such a success!

Thanks to our partners RACQ, the Gympie Music Muster, Fusion Water, GP Cars, the REIQ and of course the RAAF who ensure that all our luggage and supplies follows the bashers all the way to the finish line!

Finally, on behalf of Queensland children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs, we say a massive THANK YOU to each and every one of our bash participants, their sponsors, supporters, families and friends for your ongoing commitment to our wonderful charity. Without your continued efforts and your sensational support throughout the year, we would not be able to run this event.