Variety Wagga-style

By Andrew Stackpool

“Top Guns” team members Michael Baylis and LAC Luke Caseur from 381ECSS Mechanical Engineering Operational Maintenance Section with the Toyota they drove from Sydney to Adelaide in eight days.

Photo by LAC Euan Grant.

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* About 2000 participants entered in the 2005 NSW Bakery to Bethany Variety Bash. The Bash travelled 4072km from Sydney to Adelaide in eight days. Air Force was represented in the bash by Michael Baylis, LAC Luke Caseur and LAC Ken Douglas from RAAF Base Williamtown.

RAAF Base Wagga recently played its part for charity when it hosted a stopover during the 2005 NSW Bakery to Bethany Variety Bash.

The rally, organised by Variety-The Children’s Charity, left Sydney on August 11 and finished 4072km later in the Barossa Valley on August 19.

It travelled though Manilla, Warwick, St George, Warren, Wagga Wagga, Deniliquin, Wentworth and Burra before finishing in the Barossa Valley.

Wagga laid on an “Armed Services Day”, in which the bashers formed four teams – Navy, Army, Air Force and Police – and participated in a number of competitive “Service-like” activities.

On August 20, about 2000 “bashers” from all the participating state bashes (NSW, VIC, SA, WA and QLD) converged in Adelaide for a street parade and a knockout cricket competition at the Adelaide Oval, which was followed by the post-bash dinner.

In addition to Wagga’s hospitality, Air Force was represented by a 1966 Toyota Crown, which was saved from the scrap heap especially for the event.

As reported in Air Force news last May, Michael Baylis, Leading Aircraftman Luke Caseur and Ken Douglas, from No. 381 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown, restored the venerable Toyota, named Car 381, for the event.

They called themselves the “Top Guns” team.

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 will compete in future bashes and aims to raise $10,000 for Variety.

Anyone wishing to donate to or support the Top Guns team, or who is interested in participating in the future, can email michael.baylis@defence.gov.au.

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