First Variety Club Bash 1989

Mario Ambrosino and I heard of the first Variety Club Bash five weeks before it started, purchased a Falcon XP ute, and actually entered after the closing date. Through Mario’s efforts and building industry contacts, Team Dingaroo was the highest fundraiser. The ‘Bash’ has flourished since this inaugural ‘drive through the bush with mates’ and raises millions of dollars for the children’s charity.

The inaugural Bash started in Fremantle and travelled through the Murchison and north-east goldfields to finish at Kalgoorlie.

: Kalgoorlie

: The Start at The Esplanade, Fremantle.

: Mario’s attempt at stilt walking.

: At foot of hill.

: Kim on stilts.

: The Wilgie Mia adit.

: Wilgie Mia

: Wilgie Mia

: Valiant Station Wagon

: Refuelling the ute.

Elements of the Army’s RAEME unit followed the Bash to provide a breakdown and repair service for all involved.

: Repairs to car belonging to the crew of Bret Christian, Bruce Walker and Jane.

: Ute at repair site.

: Bash cars at the base of rock.

: Lunch at Big Bell mine – Grant Woodhams, J. Barrey Williams, Geoff Ogden and Ian Diffen.

: Lunch at Big Bell.

: Derelict pub at Big Bell.

: The ‘Toyota Jump’.

Channel 7 staff were a part of the Bash and Grant Woodham’s nightly weather reports were televised live from each overnight stop. Helicopter resupply and satellite relaying equipment were all part of the massive logistical exercise to make that happen.

: Mobile bomb – the avgas truck.

: Satellite equipment for live outside broadcast back to Channel Seven.

: Interviews at Kalgoorlie.

The Murchison had never seen anything like the Variety Club Bash.

: Pink-eh!

: Refuelling the ute at Murchison Roadhouse.

: Ian Diffen’s converted ambulance.

: At Yalgoo.

: Ute at Yalgoo.

: At Yalgoo racecourse.

: Mario receiving trophy from Barry Barkla.

: ‘Tail End Charlie’ Chamberlain tractor.

: Mario.

: The Clarklift car.

: 1927 Rolls Royce.

: Descending from John Forrest Lookout.

: Rothsay Road, Old Rothsay mining area.

: Outback WA.

: Relaxing with a wine under shade.

: Yalgoo concert

The Landor Bush Races were a highlight of the Bash.

: Grandstand at the Landor Races.

: Geoff Ogden came prepared.

: Menu board at Landor.

: At the Landor Races.

: At the Landor Races.

The fast moving Bash headed from the Murchison into the north-east goldfields.

: National Hotel at Sandstone.

: Sandstone

: Poppet Head, iconic image of the goldfields.

: At Gwalia.

: At Broad Arrow Tavern.

: At Broad Arrow.

: At Broad Arrow.

: The dental ambulance.

: Preparing to head into Kalgoorlie.

All the cars regrouped at Broad Arrow and drove into Kalgoorlie in a procession with Team Dingaroo in car 169 leading the way as the highest fundraisers.

: Kim and Mario at Broad Arrow leading the procession into Kalgoorlie.

: Start of the procession into Kalgoorlie.

: Start of the procession into Kalgoorlie for the finish of the Bash.

: Heading into Kalgoorlie.

: Arrival at Kalgoorlie.

: Heading into Kalgoorlie.

: Kalgoorlie

: Kim and Mario at the end of the Bash

The Bash procession finished at the Kalgoorlie racecourse.

: At Kalgoorlie Race Course

: At Kalgoorlie.

The Finale of the inaugural Bash was was a Trophy Presentation at the town hall. Participants dressed in their team ‘uniform’.

: Entertainment till late.

: At the end of bash ball.

: Start of proceedings.

: Ian Diffen’s crew.

: Kim, J. Barrey Williams, Mario and the Bash Director.

: Carabinieri

: At the end of bash ball.

: Pom at the Ball.

: At the end of bash ball.

: Trevor Eastwood and friends.

: Grant Woodhams handcuffed to the Bash Photographer.

: At the end of bash ball.

: At the end of bash ball.

: The mechanics from Kalgoorlie.

: Medical duo

: Mario

: Stewart ‘Scruffy’ van Raalte and friends.

: Russell Lanyon and friends.

: Kim and Mario – highest fundraisers.

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