Celebrating 50 Years of Variety in Australia — and the 2025 National Bash
In 2025, Variety – the Children’s Charity celebrates a major milestone: 50 years of supporting Aussie kids and families through life-changing equipment, programs, and services. And one of the most iconic ways that support hits the road? The legendary Variety Bash.
While the very first B to B (Bondi to Burketown) Bash rolled out in 1985, the spirit of giving, mateship, and adventure that powers it has been part of Variety’s DNA since day one.
🛻 So What Is the Variety Bash?
The Variety Bash is unlike anything else. It’s not a race — it’s a celebration.
Each year, a convoy of vintage-themed vehicles (pre-1994 only!) heads into the outback to raise funds for children who are sick, disadvantaged, or living with a disability. Crews visit remote towns and regional schools, bringing joy, funding, and a whole lot of colour with them.
Costumes, clapped-out classics, and community spirit — it’s one of the most iconic fundraising events in the country.
🇦🇺 The 2025 National Bash: Driving the Celebration Forward
To help mark 50 years of Variety in Australia, 2025 also brings the return of the National Variety Bash — a special edition of the Bash that brings together crews from across the country for one epic journey. The National Bash is held every five years (give or take a pandemic!), and it’s always a standout moment on the Variety calendar.
This year, crews from every state will hit the road in August, rolling toward Adelaide for the National Bash Party on August 8 — a fitting celebration of Variety’s long-standing commitment to Aussie kids.
🏁 A Legacy That Started with Legends
Variety’s roots go all the way back to the entertainment industry — and the very first Australian Board Chair (known as the “Chief Barker”) was none other than Paul Hogan himself. In 1975, the charity gained royal support when King Charles III (then Prince Charles) became its first Australian patron — a title he still holds today.
That same year, Variety delivered its first Sunshine Coach — a specialised children’s ambulance — to the Prince of Wales Children’s Hospital. It was the first of many.
Fast forward five decades and Variety’s impact has reached every corner of the country. Whether it’s funding therapy services, mobility equipment, or educational tools, Variety continues to give kids a fair go — and the Bash is just one very fun part of that mission.
🎉 This Year, We Celebrate — On the Road
To celebrate 50 years of Variety in Australia, here’s when the Bash crews are hitting the road across each state:
🗓️ Bash Dates – August 2025:
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NSW: 3–13 August
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QLD: 3–13 August
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SA: 8–16 August
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WA: 8–16 August
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VIC: 8–17 August
🎈 National Bash Party: 8 August – Adelaide
📸 Keep an Eye Out
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing more stories, behind-the-scenes action, and a look at what makes the Bash so unforgettable — from the cars to the characters to the communities we visit.
Here’s to 50 years of Variety in Australia… and many more to come.
