Bruce is the current Board Chairman of this national organisation.  His community involvement includes Founder and Chair of The King’s School Art Prize (10 years), Executive Committee Member Landcare Australia and President of Auburn/Lidcombe Business Club (three years).

In 2002, Bruce joined the NSW Variety Bash as a Crew Member and now has completed six NSW Bash Events.  His commitment and support to Variety continued as a Member from 2003 and as a Crew Member in 2005/06, and he has been elected to the Crew again in 2008.

As Chair of the Liberty Swing Committee in 2006, Bruce’s passion and commitment to ensuring a better quality of life for special children was realised, achieving the installation of 14 Liberty Swings throughout NSW. During his time as Committee Chair in 2006, Bruce strategically facilitated corporate assistance from the NSW Motor Accident Authority resulting in the installation of a further three swings during 2007.

David Kirk is currently the Executive Chairman of the Hoyts Corporation and serves on the Board of Forsyth Barr, New Zealand’s leading funds management and stock-broking business.

David was the Chief Executive and Managing Director of Fairfax Media Ltd from 2005 to 2008 and served in the same position for PMP Limited from 2003 to 2005. David’s prior working experience includes senior executive roles in the paper and energy industries, three and half years as Chief Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of New Zealand and as a Management Consultant with McKinsey & Company in London.

David graduated as a Medical Doctor from the University of Otago in 1985 and subsequently took a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University. David is a Rhodes Scholar.

David played for the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team from 1983 to 1987, captaining the team for two years and leading New Zealand to victory in the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987. David was created MBE in 1987.

Geoff Davis has been a supporter and member of Variety Tent 56 for the past 15 years. As a Crew member since 2003 he has been Chairman of the Sunshine Coach Committee for the fifth consecutive year. 

During his fifth term as a director of Variety Tent 56, he continues to introduce new corporate and industry awareness to Variety through adding entrepreneurial events to the Variety calendar; including the Variety Virgin Airlines Charity Flight and the Variety Classic Wooden Boat Putt Putt Regatta.

These events have opened up new associated sponsorship partnerships between Variety and Virgin Airlines, Mitsubishi, Australia Post, Dominelli Ford, Boating Industry Association and Media Monitors.    

Geoff has a hands on approach to involvement participating in the Variety Bash and other Tent 56 fundraising activities.

Allan Edworthy has been a long-standing member of Tent 56 with involvement in fundraising and appeal granting activities. He is a member of the Tent 56 General Appeals Committee, ten year volunteer for the Annual Variety Children’s Christmas party, participated in 15 consecutive NSW Variety Bashes, two New Zealand Bashes, and Inductee into the Variety Bash Hall of Fame (H20 Team).

Allan’s professional career has spanned 20 years with Sydney Water in community relations and covering key areas such as communications, marketing, media, school education (including in-class), stakeholder relations, community consultation, promotion and event management.

Personal interests include more than 15 years freelance speedway feature writer and columnist, 14 years as commentator at Parramatta Raceway, two years speedway co-presenter for local radio 2BCRFM and over 20 years hosting annual speedway awards nights and tribute dinners.

Greg Edwards currently holds a position as Group Business Manager for large multi national packaging company. Greg has been a Bash team supporter and sponsor for ten years, and during this time has been heavily involved in fundraising activities for Variety.

Greg has extensive sales and marketing experience and since joining the Tent 56 Crew in November 2003, has provided invaluable support in corporate marketing and sponsorship. Greg was instrumental in initiating the national Lamington Day activities.

In the past Greg has been involved with the fundraising committee for Melanoma Foundation and has previous experience as a board member for various organisations.

Greg was elected to the role of Chief Barker Tent 56 in December 2007.

Peter Hebbes has been a member of Variety since 1987 and during the past 20 years has held a number of positions on various management and fundraising committees including the Melbourne Cup Lunch, Heart Awards, Hot to Trot, various race days and tribute dinner functions. He has also acted as Membership Secretary and Functions Chairman.

In 1990 Peter became Chairman of the NSW region and in 1999 was elected Chief Barker of Tent 56. For the past 15 years Peter has been an active member of the Bash Committee and is the current chairman of Motoring Events for NSW and Deputy National Bash Chairman.

In 2003 Peter was made a life member of Variety and in 2006 was awarded the Medal of Australia (AM) for his services to Charity and the Music Industry. Peter is also the co-founder and trustee of the Golden Stave Foundation and a director of the Nordoff - Robbins Music Therapy Association of Australia.  

Having commenced her career as a teacher, Frances has also had an extensive six-year career in sales and marketing in the freight industry.

During her career Frances has been: a member of the Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce, member of the NSW Chamber of Commerce, member of AmCham and Vodafone’s AMTA Board member representative.

Frances brings an incredible sense of passion and dynamism to anything in which she is involved.

Amanda is currently a PhD student at Macquarie Graduate School of Management, researching corporate culture and the roles and effectiveness of participants in change meetings.

Amanda brings to Variety expertise from over 10 years commercial experience in senior marketing and strategic planning roles. She consults in strategic management, consumer marketing and branding.

For almost 20 years, Paul has actively supported Variety in numerous ways including:

·     Sunshine Coach Committee member for over 7 years, seconding for the Chairman when required;

·      15 B to B Bashes, 12 of these as an official, leading the Bash Air Crew and providing his company aircraft for use during the Bash at no cost to Variety; 

·       Entrant in five Newcastle Splashes;

·       Attendance at three Variety International Conventions;

·      With other members of his family, receipt of an International Presidential Citation for their support of Variety;

·      Volunteer at the annual Darling Harbour Children’s Christmas party for more than ten year;

·      Attendance at numerous Variety functions including Heart awards, dinners, events and fund raisers.

Presently, Paul manages his family’s construction business and has recently completed a Masters degree in Engineering Management.

Duncan has been involved in a wide range of community activities including school music programs, scouting, youth sports coaching and a number of P&C roles over the term of his children’s schooling.

Professionally, Duncan is CEO of his venture management practice, Vogel Ross Pty Limited, which provides advice and manpower to companies in the technology and media fields.