Bundalong’s Cruella De Vil, Maleficent and Ursella aka Danielle Ferguson, Simone Kluckow and Shaz Letcher drove car 724 in the Victorian Variety Bash, raising a fantastic $11,500 for children in need.
“The Variety Bash is not a race, it’s a drive in the outback with a few mates whilst raising money for some needy kids.”
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Australian Entrepreneur Dick Smith hit the nail on the head with this statement as over 31 Victorian Variety Bash rallies have now raised over $30m since the inaugural rally in 1985 with several locals getting involved each year.
Some locals who took part for their umpteenth time in 2023 were car 724 ‘Disney Villians’ who consisted of Bundalong’s own Danielle Ferguson, Shaz Letcher and Simone Kluckow who this year raised a fantastic $11,500 for children in need.
Danielle said the local days were the best of the bash with day three, which passed through our region, an emotional day for the Disney Villians.
“It was cool to start day one from pit lane at the Melbourne Grand Prix circuit where the bash gave bikes to children from the Heartkids charity before getting to drive at the VinFast ex-Holden Proving Ground at Lang Lang which is very hard to get access to as well as visiting several schools and giving out grants,” Danielle said.
“Presenting a grant for a bed for a young boy who has medicine resistant epilepsy which will protect him if he fits during the night and meaning his parents don’t have to sleep with him to stop him getting hurt, was heartwarming to be a part of.
“Day three was an extremely emotional morning for us personally.
“Our car led a lap of Winton Motor Raceway and we asked to lead this in honour of a friend’s son who passed away in an accident early this year. “He raced cars and Winton was his home track. We changed our car number to his (from 724 to 799) for the day and each car sported an orange streamer in his honour.
“His mum and sister did the laps with us.
“At the lunch stop at Bundalong we changed costumes to Woody, Jessie and Prospector Pete from Toy Story and brought our horses over to visit the 250 participants.
“Weather didn’t allow for the activities we had planned but we held an impromptu “Wrap Slap” which raised $970. Lots of locals came to visit along with kids who were spoilt by the Bash family and we also did a small grant of toys to a local family.
“A stop at Tungamah Pub was also a great time then it was off to Shepparton with dinner at M.O.V.E, the mortaring museum.
“Day four started with the crew providing a full workshop of tools to St Georges Rd Primary School in Shepparton. This wasn’t funded by Variety, each item was personally donated by the incredible people I call my Bash Family.
“St George is a low social economic school whose older kids will benefit from engagement in building activities.
Car 724 became Car 799 and all bashers donned orange streamers for the day at Winton Motor Raceway to honour the passing of a close family friend of the ‘Disney Villians’.
“We were also able to travel through Dookie and Devenish and stop to visit the locals.”
On Day eight from Nelson Bay to Coffs Harbour Car 724 headed a group of cars who stopped at Pacific Palms Public School to present a grant of toys to the kids as well as stopping at Green Hill Primary to assist.
The last day that was meant to be a small and relaxing day ended up being a huge one with the last grant handed out and lunch at Casino Primary School.
“In seven years on the Bash I have never seen a welcome like we got from the 500 kids at this school,” Danielle said.
“Even 20+ year Bashers said the same. The kids lined the driveway and the oval and the noise was deafening as we drove through and parked.
“They put on a small concert and lunch for us and then they were allowed to come talk and have fun.
“No one wanted to leave as they produced confetti cannons, silly string, presents, kids hugging and wanting pictures. It was just totally amazing.
“At the Gala Awards Night at Movie World it was announced that the official total raised was $1,412,007 with two cars entering the Million Dollar club, meaning they have each raised over $1m over their years on the bash.
“We very proudly took home the top award, The Overall Winner of the 2023 Variety Bash which is awarded to the team that best epitomises the spirit of the bash.
“The bash isn’t just about the journey, it’s about the impact we have on the children and their families that we come in contact with.
“Whether its grants that provide mobility and learning tools to just interacting with the kids, it’s an amazing journey of kindness and love.
“We would like to give a heartfelt thanks to everyone that supported us this year.
“There are too many individual sponsors to thank but out major sponsors were Bundalong Tavern & Villas, Squires Winery, Pro Signs Wangaratta, The Lobster Cave Beaumaris and Keiran Keenan Welding and Repairs.
“A special thanks also to Bryce from Murray Valley Tyre and Auto for literally getting us on the road.”
To find out more about Variety the Childrens Charity programs or if an individual, community or school visit https://fundraise.variety.org.au/how-we-help.
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