The Bash Motoring Event

 

 
Above: Pink Ladies on the South Australian Bash 
 

The famous Bash “Downunder” was created in 1985 by Australian adventurer Dick Smith when he took a group of friends for a week long drive in the outback countryside that he called ‘The Bourke to Bourketown Bash.’ This extraordinary fundraiser is not a race or a rally, it is a madcap motoring event designed to put the ‘fun’ into fundraising with participants creating their own team themes and colorful costumes. Vehicles must be in standard condition and manufactured before 1970. However, the drivers and crews are anything but standard issue with most Bashers taking the one major rule (don’t take it seriously) seriously.

Hundreds of hardworking people from all walks of life are the backbone of this unique and highly successful fundraising event. Along the route, Bashers bring joy and much needed equipment to selected schools, children’s organizations and individual children. The Bash itself is the entrants’ reward for a year spent fundraising for our special children. It allows Variety to showcase to communities the exceptional work that the charity carries out for special children. If you would like to join in the fun, we would love to talk to you.

Whilst there are various trophies awarded to encourage fundraising, fun themes, fun for the kids and overall fun for the entrants…the ultimate winners of the Bash are the children.

Above: Photos courtesy of Variety South Australia

Please visit the following sites for more information on local Bash events in Australia and New Zealand:

New South Wales

Western Australia

Victoria

Queensland

Tasmania

South Australia

Northern Territory

New Zealand

Above: Photo courtesy of Variety New South Wales.