Fantastic fundraisers clock up more miles for children’s charity

Narrabri’s Tracey Rex and Stuart Black are die-hard supporters of the Variety Bash, one of Australia’s biggest and brightest fundraisers.

Tracey has been a ‘Basher’ for nearly 20 years and Stuart for eight, generously raising close to $200,000 for the children’s charity over those years.

The dynamic duo has just returned from another goodwill adventure – the B to B Bash, and they received a trophy for raising an impressive $17,000 for Variety, a charity which supports kids who are living with disability, disadvantage, or illness.

Variety believes ‘every child deserves a fair go’ and its tireless work allows kids to gain mobility, get out and about in the community, communicate, achieve independence and increase self-esteem.

“We had a really fun time and we’re pleased to be part of such a great charity,” Tracey told The Courier.

“Variety supports all kids who need it, and you never know when your own grandkids or a friend’s kids, someone you might know might need support.

“It is also fun to get dressed up and meet like-minded people.”

Readers would be familiar with Tracey and Stuart’s generous and fun spirit, as over these years, they’ve regularly hit the open road with a convoy of colourful cars and dressed up in wild and whacky outfits to spread kindness and raise essential funds for children.

The Variety Bashers travel the highways and back roads of the country, making a bold and joyful entrance into rural communities, as they trundle through towns brightening the days of locals and school children with their fancy costumes.

As well as raising money for children in need, the Variety Bash also plays a part in boosting local economies as drivers spend money in the places they stop and stay at throughout the journey.
The epic charity event has been starting up old, but reliable, engines since 1985 when entrepreneur and adventurer Dick Smith took a group of intrepid motorists from Bourke in NSW to Bourketown in Queensland in old cars, raising $250,000 for charity.

Variety said Dick Smith had friends from all walks of life – from multi-millionaires to battlers – and the event was his idea of ‘a great equalizer’.

Touted as ‘a drive in the outback with a few mates’, Dick Smith made sure everyone was on a level playing field – all cars had to be over 30-years- old, and non-performance modified, a sentiment the Variety Bash retains today.

The most significant rule of The Bash is – it’s not a race or a rally.

The aim is to relax, enjoy the Australian Outback and help raise funds for kids in need.

Tracey Rex and Stuart Black recently took part in the Variety B to B bash. This time, Tracey and Stuart transformed into Nintendo characters for rowdy rally with Stuart dressing up as either Yoshi, Donkey Kong or Bowser throughout the journey and Tracey as Princess Peach, Princess Daisy or Princess Rosalina. Their Ford Falcon EL Futura 1996 model was also decorated to match their theme, attracting the attention of many Nintendo fans along the way and raising awareness about a good cause.

Tracey and Stuart clocked up more than 5000 kilometres during the recent B to B Bash, departing from Bungarribee, the home of the new Sydney Zoo, on August 7 and finishing at Bakers Creek, Queensland on August 16.

The rowdy rally visited 14 schools across the 10-day drive, giving more than $90,000 in grants of technology, educational resources and playground equipment.

Variety said Bashers also helped drive Australia’s road to recovery, injecting around $80,000 in tourism dollars at each of the towns they pull up at along the way.

This time, Tracey and Stuart transformed into Nintendo characters for The B to B Bash with Stuart dressing up as either Yoshi, Donkey Kong or Bowser throughout the journey and Tracey as Princess Peach, Princess Daisy or Princess Rosalina.

Their Ford Falcon EL Futura 1996 model was also decorated to match their theme, attracting the attention of many Nintendo fans along the way and raising awareness about a good cause.

“The kids absolutely loved the car,” said Tracey.

“It was a fantastic trip and we received a warm welcome everywhere.

“When we were staying at Cunnamulla we walked out of our room in these costumes that look like we’re riding horses and these other guests, who weren’t part of the Bash, stopped us, asked what it was all about and wanted a photo – they thought it was great.

“There was a truck driver who saw us driving and got on the two-way and was asking what it was all about.

“And there was this young fella at one of the schools who really took a shine to Stuart when he was dressed up as Donkey Kong and he was following Stuart around everywhere.

“Kids have got it rough enough these days, so it’s nice to be able to add a bit of brightness and colour.”

As well as making a difference, Tracey said another highlight was a private dolphin show at Sea World, which was put on especially for the Variety Bash participants.

“We really enjoyed it and thank you so much to everyone for their support too.”

The couple successfully fundraised through delicious cake stalls and community donations.