This year's 25th anniversary event will be a bit of a re-enactment of the very first Bash, in that it too will depart from the Sydney Opera House at 'Bennelong Point,' on (16th August arriving at Broken Hill on 25th August).
The Bash is not a race or rally but rather a drive in the outback with like-minded fund raisers, driving miles for the smiles, enjoying travelling to parts of Australia that they may not otherwise see, at the same time as raising money to support kids in need. While there are few rules, blatant cheating and bribery are not only allowed but encouraged and bashers must be in a pre 1972 vehicle, decorated as weird and wonderfully as possible!
The trip will travel some of Australia's remotest regions, detouring through Woomera, Alice Springs and the notorious Oodnadatta track east of Coober Pedy, onto their final destination of Broken Hill.
Variety Bashes Australia wide last year raised over $8 million and Variety NSW this year have set a goal of raising $2 million net during its 11 day adventure. Each year Variety receives an overwhelming amount of appeals from individuals, associations, institutions, hospitals and schools. All appeals are carefully and thoughtfully considered by their volunteer committees and once a grant is approved, Variety makes direct payment. In 2008, Variety granted 296 appeals and over $13 million was given to help individual children, hospitals, schools, community groups and charitable organisations.