All aboard for the 2013 Variety Bash

All aboard for the 2013 Variety Bash

July 2, 2013
New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Sponsorship, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Paul Rouse and his crew are hitting the roads again for the 2013 Variety Club Bash, aka PYBASH.


This year’s Bash – “Bankstown to Ballarat” – takes the indirect route via Corner Country, going through iconic Australian townssuch as Nyngan, Tibooburra, Innamincka, Birdsville, Leigh Creek, Peterborough, Mildura and Horsham, before finally finishing in Ballarat, Victoria.

Kicking off on the 22nd of August, the Bash lasts 10 days and covers 4,425 km – with all entries raising money to help support Variety – the Children’s Charity.

The Variety Bash was started in 1985 by well-known businessman, explorer and philanthropist, Dick Smith, when he organised a “tour in the bush, from Bourke, NSW to Burketown, in North Queensland”. Since that time, the B to B theme has continued.

So what is a Bash Car? It’s a reliable, well-built vehicle, manufactured during or pre 1974 which will survive Australia’s notorious dirt roads; a hallmark of bash trekking.

PYBASH team captain, Paul Rouse, tells the story behind team car “PYBASH – Car 095” – a 1971 Ford Galaxie and veteran of five Bash rallies.

‘PYBASH was spotted after searching for a suitable vehicle and was purchased as the car was something different. Originally imported into Australia for a senior official with the Department of Defence, we knew it would stand out – even with the large variety of cars in the Bash with their over the top decorations – PYBASH stands out.’

Preparing PYBASH for its first Variety Bash in 2009 included adding heavy duty tyres and raising the suspension, installing race style seating, upgraded seat belts and a half roll cage for additional protection, plus ensuring the team makes its way successfully around the course with top of the line navigational and two-way radio units. Finally, the car was completely repainted and decked out in the prominent “Lightning McQueen” livery, and sponsors recognised with prominent sign writing.

‘Every Bash has been successful for Variety, thanks to the generous support of sponsors, raising over $33,000 each year.’ says Paul Rouse. ‘But for us, the most fulfilling part of the Bash is witnessing the joy and appreciation of schools and individuals receiving assistance, either in kind or by donation. We get to meet on the Bash – on one or two occasions each time – a beneficiary of the Camp Quality program, showing us first hand why “We do it for the Kids”. Plus a few hijinks on the way add to the fun at the same time.’

PYBASH’s most successful Bash was the first – the only Bash fully completed by the PYBAR team without incident. The team has completed subsequent Bash events, but not all the way with team car PYBASH, after mechanical or accident damage. The team is very confident the 2013 Bash will see PYBASH completing the journey, after rigorous mechanical preparation and a commitment to ‘driving to the conditions’ to ensure an accident free journey.

To learn more about Variety visit the website http://www.variety.org.au/nsw/ and see the difference they make to kids in need. Variety is a national not-for-profit charity that raises money to empower children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs.

If you would like to support Variety through sponsoring the PYBASH car, you can do so by or by contacting Linda Clipperton on P (02) 6361 6404 E linda.clipperton@pybar.com.au

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