More than 100 wackily decorated pre-1976 cars and their zany crews rolled into Bellata in the pouring rain yesterday as part of the iconic Variety Bash.
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The 2016 Variety Brydens Lawyers Berowra to Bowen Bash kicked off on Sunday from Berowra in Sydney. The event will see Bashers drive more than 3,800km over ten days with the aim to raise more than $2 million to help Aussie kids who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs.
Along the way, the Bashers will stop at a total of 11 small schools, donating more than $75,000 worth of educational, health and mobility equipment to each.
Bellata Public School was one of the first stops for the Bashers.
While yesterday’s rain held some cars up, everyone remained in good spirits, enjoying some hot food provided by Bellata Public School’s P and C committee, as well as a performance by the students. The Bashers then returned the favour, with Super Hubert entertaining the kids.
Bellata Public School principal Viv Fouracre said it was a very exciting day for the students.
“For the kids it’s fabulous to see so many people and have helicopters land,” she said.
“The kids have loved seeing all the cars and everyone dressed up. It’s been absolutely lovely.”
The school greatly benefited from yesterday’s visit, with the Bashers donating more than $6,000 towards the cost of seating, kitchen, sporting, musical and gardening equipment.
“We had a wishlist that they were able to fill,” Ms Fouracre said.
“We were able to purchase sports equipment, musical instruments, furniture, puzzles, a rotary hoe, a new stove in the canteen for the students to cook and a summer fridge for them to put their lunches in. These are areas our P and C don’t have to raise money for now. Some of these things would have taken a long time to get otherwise.”
Variety Bash chairman Peter Hebbes said the bash was off to a great start, despite the rain.
“It’s been fantastic apart from the weather,” he said.
“It’s disappointing but that’s half the fun of it.”
From Bellata, the Bash was heading to Lightning Ridge before making their way to Bollon, Charleville, Blackall, Longreach, Muttaburra, Hughenden and Bowen.
Moree’s Lee Estens was among the 320 Bashers.
