NSW B to B Bash History

Since the original Bourke to Burketown Bash was completed back in 1985, the Bash has travelled thousands upon thousands of kilometres criss crossing Australia. This unique FUN fundraising event is tagged “a drive in the Outback with a few mates.”

Here’s a re-cap on the 2008 Variety NSW NRMA Insurance Blacktown to Batemans Bay Bash.

Those ordinary people doing extraordinary things for kids, under the name of “Bashers,” did it again with the running of the Variety 2008 NSW “help” Bash.

They travelled 3,910 kilometres raising in excess of $1.9 million net, which will be directly distributed through the appeals process to assist our special needs children.

This was the 24th annual B to B Bash and went from Blacktown to Batemans Bay which, normally, is a four hour drive but on this occasion took us 10 days!

This was achieved by a wonderful travelling circus of 101 entrants, 21 official vehicles, two aircraft, one helicopter and one very big Double “B” semi trailer, a total of 442 people experienced our final night dinner in Batemans Bay and considered it one of the best Bashes ever!

We don’t know why! For the first nine days it rained, causing some tricky moments on the slippery tracks we were running on. All in all a lot of fun came from the wet conditions, not to mention the BOG holes!!!

We even drove through the snow fields, a bash first for NSW, which gave the teams a great opportunity to make a stop for photos and a few snow fights!

As usual on a Bash, the presentations at the various schools, parks and community centres were a highlight and well worth the extra effort in organising. It is essential that these public events take place to show the Bashers and members of the community the results of their fundraising in action. A nice touch was again the “veteran Bashers” assisting with the presentations.

We were once again well supported by the entertainment industry with country star, John Williamson, doing the entire Bash in an English built Humber Snipe, a car he made some rude snipes about and says it was UN Australian and he’ll be back in 2009 in a Holden Ute! True Blue John. Actor John Howard, AKA Dr Frank Campion from Channel 7’s All Saints program made a mid event stop over for four days and enjoyed himself as well as entertaining us all with his many stories. John Paul young was once again a standout favourite with many of our stop overs at the schools as well as singing for us in Warrnambool during our community night. Actor Matt Holmes from Channel 9’s popular Sea Patrol series was with us again and – of course – chose the NAVY TEAM to travel with. Bands entertined us through out and Acoustic Juice in Mount Gambier, Keep The Faith with their Bon Jovi Tribute Show in Warrnambool were a hit as was Get Ready who performed for us at our final night dinner. The Red Baron Team’s fireworks display WOWed Warrnambool while our travelling magician, Super Hubert, kept us – and the school kids - entertained everyday with his shows.

The highlight of the Bash was John Williamson’s concert to the Bashers in the Cooma Multifunction Centre following our dinner. John, an absolute Aussie icon of the entertainment industry, sang all his great songs plus many off his new album, Hillbilly Road.

The final night of the Variety NSW 2008 Bash was held at the Batemans Bay Soldier’s Club where we acknowledged the fun trophies, the money trophies and the Outright Winner of the Bash, an award voted on by the Bashers, which this year went to K9, Dr Geoff Abrahams and Robert Lewis.

Because of Batemans Bay’s traditions and industries we chose Fishing as the theme for the night. Everyone was encouraged to dress up in suitable theme and to dress up their tables the same way. A very funny night of costume and camaraderie was had by all to celebrate a fantastic 2007 Bash.

Other major award winners were the Bush Cricketers (cars 147 & 148) who won the Chief Barker’s Trophy for highest team fundraiser. Car #2400, The Moree Showgirls (Lee Estens, Joy Holmes & Barbara Glennie) won the Chairman’s Trophy for the highest individual fundraising car. Team Bushranger (cars 20 & 154) along with the Bush Cricketers won the Gold Tray award for raising over $100,000 and Team Toshiba (cars 36, 310 & 1100) won the Catherine Trophy for raising over $75,000.

We are getting ready for another one so, come for a ride……………!

It’s soon time for the 2009 Variety NSW NRMA Insurance Bennelong Pt. to Broken Hill Bash and to give you an idea of where we go from time to time, here is where we have been over the previous years:

1985 Bourke to Burketown