Birdies bash raises $21,000

By Graham Davis

"Choppa"

The Birdies team, who raised $21,000 in the recent Blue Mountains to Barrier Reef variety bash. The money raised will go to children who are sick, disadvantaged or disabled.

Four Albatross aviators, dubbed “The Birdies” have raised more than $21,000 for children who are sick, disabled or disadvantaged.

The foursome took part in the 4,100km “Blue Mountains to Barrier Reef” Variety Bash, a fun drive held annually since 1985.

Driving and or navigating a 1967 HR model Holden called “Choppa” were Graeme Wong, Richard Van Huisstede, James Vella and David Janszen.

Painted blue and white, with rotors on roof and bootlid and daubed with sponsor’s decals, the four drove out of the St Mary’s League’s Club carpark on Saturday, August 2.

They were accompanied by 109 other vehicles ranging from buses, to fire engines to ambulances.
The mercury hovered around freezing point and the grass was covered with ice when the starter flagged the fleet away.

The action however, hotted up, as teams headed to outback NSW and Queensland.

The modified HR was soon taking a pounding on the dirt roads.

Shadowing the entrants was a helicopter flown by Gary Ticehurst of G and A Helicopters and accompanied by Dr Andrew Berry head of the NSW Neo Natal Retrieval Team, and one of Australia’s most experienced trauma specialists.

On August 11 the first competitors crossed the finishing line at HMAS Cairns.

Before and during the event Graeme and his team had raised more than $21,000.

For this effort they received a 21 Club Cup.
Overall the 2003 Bash raised $2.4 million.
During the event, organisers handed out grants totalling $75,000.

It was declared “the best ever.”

The Birdies Bash team received the support of the people at HMAS Albatross who provided help in preparing the car or made donations.

On the day of departure the team received a cheque for $3,500 the result of fundraising on their base.

Generous donations also came from Australian Aerospace, the Heyday Group, Kaman Aerospace International Corporation, Serco Sodhexo Defence Services, Defence Maritime Services, Tenix Lads Corporation, Sikorsky Aircraft Australia and Boeing Australia Ltd.

Hunter Aerospace provided substantial support in preparing the car.

Thales Underwater Systems and the Nowra and District Race Club also sponsored the team through donations to Variety.

The Birdies also thank Bakers Delight Vincentia, John Hill Signs, Welmac, Autopro and Dick Smith Nowra.

 

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