The Variety Bash was originated by entrepreneur and philanthropist Dick Smith in 1985 when he organised a group of people to travel from Sydney to Bourke in Far West New South Wales, and from there to Burketown in Northern Queensland.
Dick wanted to take a few mates for a drive in the outback in old cars and at the same time raise money for charity. He charged everyone to enter, and entrants were able to bribe the officials or be fined. That first event raised $250,000 for Variety and was known as the Bourke to Burketown Bash.
The annual Variety Bash is Australia's most successful charity motoring event. It is the focal point of fund raising efforts by many hundreds of supporters of Variety, with the money raised helping to empower children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs to live, laugh and learn.
In 2011, Variety Victoria celebrated our 21st Variety Bash. Since 1992 the Variety Bash has covered a staggering 83,312 kilometres and has raised over $16 million for children in Victoria. To give you an idea the destinations we travel to, here is a list of where the Variety Bash Victoria has been to in previous years:
2011 Bash Across Bass Strait
2010 Ballarat to Margaret River
2009 Bendigo to Alice Springs
2008 Melbourne to Yeppoon
2007 Melbourne to Byron Bay
2006 Melbourne to Cairns
2005 Melbourne to Caloundra
2004 Melbourne to Darwin
2003 Melbourne to Mission
2002 Albert to Alice
2001 Dockside to Surfside
2000 Colonial to Kalgoorlie
1999 Albert to Airlie
1998 Burnley to Broome
1997 Hawthorn to Hunter
1996 Chadstone to Kakadu
1995 Richmond to Reef
1994 Melbourne to Echuca
1993 Melbourne to Ballarat
1992 Melbourne to Swan Hill
1992 Heart to Heart