Variety NT Buslink VIVO Bash 2016 – our journey 3-10 September 2016

December 2, 2016 by ntadmin

Day 1 Registration day, Broome Camp School

  • Officials welcomed and inducted, ready for 30 bash vehicles and their teams to arrive
  • Registration – the Bash bucks were carefully distributed, not without some attempts to bribe/deceive at the registration desk
  • Welcome afternoon tea carefully prepared by the Croc car team – games, croc culinary delights
  • Community display at Cable Beach Amphitheatre – then some antics with camels
  • XXXX Launch night at Broome Surf Club – welcomed all teams, announced our highest fundraisers, got to know one another and prepared for a momentous journey

Day 2 Broome – Cape Leveque

  • Broome Senior High School for breakfast – lovely staff and students catered for us
  • Willie Creek Pearl Farm – magic scenery and a mermaid morning tea, thanks to Magnificent Woomen
  • The long road to Kooljaman, Cape Leveque. Red dirt aplenty, bumps, corrugations, wash outs, all passengers stayed awake….until there were several boggings on the sandy road into paradise.
  • Community joined us to look at the cars and meet with bashers – great food, entertainment. Jimmy thought he did a wonderful Charlie Pride impersonation, Daisy showed her country talents off.

Day 3 Cape Leveque, One Arm Point

  • A few concerns from some Bash teams as far as getting out through the sand, but a well planned exit strategy saw everyone on the road to One Arm point safely.
  • School students came to meet us on Middle Beach, clear water and white sand. We were entertained by the singing of their school song, with much pride.
  • Round Rock lookout – huge moving tides, turtles and reflection moments. A hatchery tour followed as we learned about the local marine life.
  • A free afternoon – some took tours, many just relaxed and enjoyed the beauty of Cape Leveque. Felt like we were really on holidays!

Day 4 Cape Leveque – Willare Bridge Roadhouse

  • Goodbye to our generous and welcoming hosts, at Kooljaman Resort
    First stop Sacred Heart School at Beagle Bay. Question: Which car did you like best? Answer: The Donkey car!
  • Quick look at the church, all except Doobs (he was fined the next day)
  • Back on the dusty road towards Broome and Roebuck roadhouse for lunch.
  • Wild West were almost trailer trash again with the loss of the entire fuel tank, not realising until they had run out of fuel down the road a bit. Running repairs in true Bash style saw a jerry can perched on the wagon above with a hose running down to feed a thirsty engine.
  • On to Willare Roadhouse and what a night. A Broome band were recommended and rocked the house. Locals joined in, the Variety message was spread, plenty of fun and pretty cool dance moves.

Day 5 Willare – Fitzroy Crossing

  • Silver day in honour of our 25 years
  • Arabs thought we needed ties and got quite a few bash bucks for their efforts. Getting everyone to wear them was something else.
  • Jarlmadangah School – Kimberley scenery at it’s best. More students came to school that day, and so did community.
  • The local police had blocked the road and were keen to get some Bash bucks – they were duped by some who gave them false currency. Calamity Jane was locked up, later released with a large Bash Buck bail payment.
  • Escorted by police to lunch at Old Liveringa Station, the lovely Mandy showed us around the station that is owned by Gina Rinehart. Mandy and Frosty came for six months, that was nine years ago.
  • Brief stop at the Boab tree for some pics, Buslink VIVO bus added to the grand back drop
  • Afternoon tea at the bottom of the quarry, Oscar Range Mine. Great spot, towering rock formations, camel curd and good company. The Sweethearts got bogged and the police almost did too.
  • On to Fitzroy River Lodge for Variety NT Trivia that night – Kenny the Plumber was the winner, donating $500- to Variety NT in return for a small but very significant Trivia Cup trophy.

Day 6 Fitzroy Crossing – Halls Creek

  • Wangkatjungka School, what a delightful bunch of students – so happy to see us and meet the bash crew. We granted them a load of gardening equipment and seeds to keep their garden project going. Such a gorgeous pic of kids jumping for joy in front of our Bash bus.
  • A brilliant piece of driving by Leah of the Croc Car. Lost a wheel but held it steady, all safe and ok. Very pleased once the mechanic team later fixed it up –“I now have power steering!”
  • Larrawa Station for lunch, prepared by School of the Air volunteers. We loved handing over a cheque to send their little ones to camp next month. A small but quite excited group of students and parents.
  • The road out from Larrawa was enjoyed by many – twists, turns, rises and dips, wash outs, creek crossings. Took a while for all cars to make it back to the highway…in one piece.
  • Into Halls Creek for a community display. The kids got familiar with the cars and characters. A few repairs were needed….a long night for our mechanics.
    Red Faces – a magnificent effort. 11 terrible but funny performances. Jake was a ‘ring in’ local judge, selected at random. He provided some hilarious commentary. Skippy and Sonny made a comeback, interpretive mime, poems, songs. The night had it all and was a big belly laugh.

Day 7 Halls Creek – Kununurra

  • Bungle Bungles Caravan park was the scenic flight take off spot for those who wanted to see the sights from the air. All came back amazed by it. Morning tea was provided by the friendly team there. A chopper fly over with camera attached will make for a great DVD.
  • Up the Great Northern Highway through Warmun and Doon Doon to our lunch stop at the very warm Dunham River rest Area
  • Afternoon tea provided by the Party Animals on arrival to Ivanhoe Village Caravan Resort. Great food and beer with a delicious ‘snake bite’ twist.
  • Long table set up for a lovely dinner under the stars amongst friends. The breeze came in to cool us down. Merriment was in the camp grounds.

Day 8 Kununurra to Lake Argyle

  • Saving the splendour for last, we set out for a Lake Argyle Cruise. Three boats took the crowd out to explore the beautiful water and cliff faces, marine and bird life (including about 100 Bashers floating with noodles). We did some cliff jumping, spotted the crocs and ate lunch together in the most magnificent place. Didn’t want that one to end.
  • Onto the Argyle Museum Homestead to learn about the Durack pioneering family.
  • Stop at the NT border – we finished our Bash officially in the NT!
  • Back to Kununurra for wine and cheese as we prepared for the finale event.
  • Kimberley Grande Hotel provided a great venue for a final night of celebration.
  • Team Toy Story scooped the pool with a week of superbly planned outfits, student entertainment on school visits and an endearing approach all round.
  • Up late for final drinks and up early for a quick brekkie before saying our goodbyes and making our way home to all parts of the country. The Buslink VIVO bus had a few more passengers than anticipated with a few tired Bash cars giving it up at the finish line.

THANKS TO ALL OUR BASH TEAM AND OFFICIALS FOR A MEMORABLE WEEK ON BASH 2016, AND A SUCCESSFUL YEAR OF FUNDRAISING. YOU HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF NT KIDS.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL IN 2017.

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