By
Andrew Stackpool
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Michael
Baylis and LAC Luke Caseur with the car they are driving
with Ken Douglas in the Newcastle and NSW Variety charity
bashes.
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Photo
by LAC Euan Grant
|
A
1966 Toyota Crown, dubbed Car 381, has been saved from the scrap
heap to work for charity.
Michael Baylis, Leading Aircraftman Luke Caseur and Ken Douglas,
from No. 381 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron at RAAF Base
Williamtown, are participating in the annual Newcastle and NSW
Variety charity bashes.
The Newcastle bash, a week-long fundraising event, started on
May 15. The trip is taking in Lightning Ridge via Coonabarabran
and Moree before returning to Maitland via Gulgong and Singleton.
Then, in August, the car will be used for the annual NSW Variety
Bash.
The event starts in Sydney and travels though Manilla, Warwick,
St George, Warren, Wagga Wagga, Deniliquin, Wentworth and Burra
before finishing in the Barossa Valley in South Australia.
Michael Baylis resurrected the Toyota from the back of a truck
as it was to be turned into scrap metal.
“I realised it had potential to become a bash vehicle,”
Mr Baylis said. “With a complete rebuild of the engine, suspension,
gearbox and a few creature comforts thrown in, it has now completed
five Newcastle Bashes without missing a beat, thanks to the help
of the MEOMS mechanics.”
He said the event was not a proper race or a rally, more a “drive
in the outback”. Speed was not important; what mattered was
that everyone had an enjoyable time travelling in parts of Australia
they would not otherwise see while raising money to support children
in need.
“My aim is to take a new crew every year so they can have
a better understanding of the great work the charity does in helping
kids.”
Variety is dedicated to improving the quality of life of sick,
disabled and disadvantaged children in Australia by making grants
to children for special equipment.
Mr Baylis hopes to raise $10,000 for Variety through donations
and fundraising activities. Anyone wishing to donate or support
the Top Guns team, or who is interested in participating in the
future, can email michael.baylis@defence.gov.au.
