History of the Bash
1985
The roots of the Bash in Australia extend back to 1985, when entrepreneur Dick Smith gathered up a group of mates in old cars and went for a drive from NSW to QLD, raising $250,000 for Variety in the process. Dick had friends from all walks of life and the event was his idea of a great equaliser. Touted as “a drive in the outback with a few mates”, Dick made sure everyone was on a level playing field – all cars had to be over 30 years old and non-performance modified, a sentiment the Variety Bash remains today. Little did he know that he was creating history, creating what would become Australia’s most successful and well known charity motoring event.
1989
The idea was brought to the then “Variety Club of Western Australia” by Keith Graham, who had just ‘bashed’ in the NSW event the year before. He organised the first WA bash in 1989 with 95 people taking part in the Perth to Kalgoorlie trip.
Today
Since then, thousands of Western Australian from all walks of life have ‘Bashed’ their way across WA, travelling over 75,000kms and raising more than $23.5 million for WA kids in need. This is no small achievement and speaks of the dedication, commitment and generosity of you – the WA Bashers, supporters and sponsors – to make a difference to the lives of children who are sick, disadvantaged or living with disability.
See the 2021 Bash
The Bash is really a carnival on wheels with all sorts of themed cars taking part and having fun and bringing excitement to the towns we visit along the way. The event is absolutely not a race, but it is a chance to travel to out-of-the-way places in an old car, with all sorts of mischeif along the way whilst helping WA kids.
Glenn Cornish, Teenage Mutant Ninja Tutles Team, Bash-er for 7 years.