The Variety Bash

The Variety Bash is an epic event that has run since 1985. Teams and communities come together to take part in an eight-day event in their whacky wagons, taking off across WA with multiple stops in between, visiting local communities and schools, hand delivering Variety Grants.

Taking part in this worthwhile fundraising event this year will be Santo and Lisa Pratico, in their car a XF Ford sedan, which is cleverly wrapped in the theme of ‘Deadpool’, they will be dressed in costumes to compete the act.

Santo being Deadpool, someone virtually unstoppable and Lisa being Domino. Domino super power is one of being extremely lucky. Resilience and Luck, it’s a combination we all need in life.

“It’s all for a good cause: Variety, the Children’s Charity, is all about giving a fair go to WA kids who are sick, disadvantaged or living with disability.” Lisa explains.

“This will be the third year Santo and I have taken part in this fundraising event as ‘Deadpool’.

“Before ‘Deadpool’ Santo took part in the event along with, Nick Joseph, Andrew Hare and Mark D’lima in a ‘Frozen’ Holden.

“Initially we need to raise $8,000 to take part in the rally. Really the rally is the reward for the fundraising efforts.”

Lisa continues, “Our fundraising event this year is a Music Concert. This will be held on the 1st of April at Chudacud Estate, which is along the Bridgetown to Boyup Brook Road.

Pinstripe is the band which will be performing at the event.

Gates will open at 4pm with the band starting at 8pm.

Entry is $40.00 per person

BYO Alcohol and food with free camping, showers and toilets available.

Just turn up on the night with cash in the pocket, we would love to see you all there helping us raise money for Variety WA.”

Over the years Lisa and Santo Pratico along with Nick Joseph, Andrew Hare and Mark D’lima have raised almost $100,000 by taking part in the Variety Bash.

The Bash this year will be starting on the 8th September in Merredin and finishing on the 16th September in Denham.

The excitement of preparing the cars and taking part in the rally is what keeps the fundraising teams coming back for more, a thrilled Lisa explains, “We’re talking about a ‘carnival on wheels’, as we navigate the adrenaline-pumping ‘off the map tracks’ we get to travel onto our destination.

“All the cars taking part in the rally are two-wheel drive, this requires the teams to look out for one another and work together to meet the difficulty of the terrain and last the distance.

“The cars have a couple of must have modification, the chassis are raised for greater ground clearance, there is a full-length sump guard which protects the whole underneath of the car, and most importantly we have two towing couplings, one on the front and one on the rear of the car for those times when we get bogged or breakdown.

“Last year forty-four cars started the event with forty cars finishing.

“Its not a race, it’s a wonderful life experience like no other, although sometimes the drivers just cannot help themselves.

“Along the way we get to experience some of WA’s most beautiful and remote places with support of an experienced crew, private caterers and the opportunity to see the impact of our fundraising has along the way.

“There really isn’t anything quite like it. The camaraderie and devotion each basher has speaks for itself, hence why we see so many regular participants returning to the event year after year.”

Variety WA helps by providing vital and practical equipment, programs and experiences for children in need to overcome the obstacles they face. Assisting them to live life to the fullest to help ‘kids be kids.’ Their work allows children to gain mobility and freedom, to get out and about in the community, increase self-esteem and achieve independence.

If there are any families or community groups out there that need help, please reach out to Variety WA and apply for a grant, www.variety.org.au