Eighty-four pre-1976, highly-customised vehicles parked on the Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School oval and the colourful cast of characters enjoyed lunch catered by the school’s P&C. Parents donated the food so proceeds from the lunch went into the P&C bank account.

The ‘Bashers’also left behind an extra thank you, a $2000 grant to buy something for the school that would directly benefit the children. P&C president Lou Holley said the grant would be spent on equipment for the school’s Sunshine Room, for special education.

While the money has yet to be tallied from lunches sold and helicopter flight raffled, Mrs Holley said the P&C would come out several thousand dollars richer.

“It’s just awesome to see that,” she said, appreciating how flexible the school had been in accommodating all the activities on the day.

Alison Sellers, one of the Variety Bash administrators, said in addition to the 84 cars carrying 250 people (including 60 ‘virgins’), there were 10 official cars with mechanics, a tilt-tray and an ambulance, a doctor and a paramedic, all volunteering their time to the cause.

The participants spend all year raising money for the Variety Club, for the entry fee of $4000 per car. The convoy left Newcastle on Sunday, May 15 before wending its way around the state, taking in Tenterfield and other rural stops before returning to Newcastle last Saturday. 

On his second Bash, in Australia at least, was New Zealander Andrew Sworn who is a veteran of the Kiwi equivalent. Mr Sworn had been roped in to be magician Superhubert’s ‘roadie’ as the magician entertained crowds along the way, including the students at SHPMS at his afternoon show.

“The Bashers are just a great bunch of people,” Mr Sworn said.

“Once you get past the sheep jokes, it’s a great way to meet people.”