Bashing the bush
July 24, 2000
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Mr Paul Bentley and CDRE Nick Helyer with HMAS BRISBANE in the background. The warship and the rally car are of the same vintage. Pic: Rebekah Helyer. |
The assortment of pre-1966 vehicles will this year depart from Port Macquarie on July 23, bash their way across country to Birdsville and arrive at Tanunda in the Barossa Valley SA on July 30.
A Navy Reserve Band will be there to greet them.
Adventurer Dick Smith started the Variety Club Bush Bash in 1985 which last year travelled from Sydney to Broome.
CDRE Helyer's sill reminiscences over the success of his first experience at this novel fund raising event in 1999.
"Last year the Bash raised over a million dollars which provided assistance such as a $33,000 foetal heart monitor to Kununurra Base Hospital, a computer system for Bourke Ward Primary School and visits to Sydney for outback children."
CDRE Helyer will again drive his Ford Fairlane 500 which sports a 302 Winsor V8 engine and is mounted with torpedo like tubes on top resembling some type of surface raider.
He has attracted many sponsors including the Australian Defence Credit Union, Smart Cover, Computer Science Corporation, MSAS Global Logistics and Hornsby RSL.
"I'm overwhelmed by the generosity of our sponsors in helping our sick, disabled and disadvantaged children," he said.
This year the Bash will have celebrities such as Angry Anderson and John Paul Young.
Dick Smith will also make his official appearance along the route.
It cost $7000 to enter the Bash, which is run by devious officials proficient in prising money from bashers.
Blatant cheating and bribery are encouraged and bashers can be fined for taking the event too seriously.
For more information and how you can enter next year's Bash call (02) 9 555 1799 or check out the web site- www.thebash.org.au.
By LCDR Mick Gallagher