Variety Bash June Update

Hi there,

Welcome to the June edition of the Bash newsletter.

We are getting excited, with just over 9 weeks till we hit the road there are a few important things we need to lock away by the 28th June. The biggest one right now is Crew Forms. We're still missing quite a few and we urgently need them finalised so we can confirm merchandise numbers and give our amazing catering teams enough time to plan properly. Car Captains, if someone in your team isn't receiving the newsletters, chances are we don't have a Crew Form for them yet. 

A few other important reminders:
*Round 2 Scrutineering for Brisbane is on 20th June
*If you haven't booked your scrutineering spot yet, please jump online and book here or give Lizy a call on 07 3907 9300 to discuss alternative arrangements.

A quick checklist for your teams:

• Crew Forms (every participant is required to complete a crew form)
• Provisions Levies 
• Camping Surveys for all Car Captains (one per vehicle please)
• Final Night Accommodation
• Book Your Round 2 Scrutineering
• Extra Guests Attending Final Night

In this edition of the Newsletter, you'll find all the information you need to be prepared to hit the road. Details on booking extra guests for any of the evening meals during the Bash, as well as the Final Night celebrations in Gladstone, are included below.

We've also listed the nights you'll need to bring your camp chair, along with important information regarding the drop-off of your bags and swags at the office for loading onto the luggage truck. If you have any items you would like to donate for inclusion in our silent auctions, you'll find all the relevant details below as well.

As always, thank you for everything you continue to do to support Aussie kids who are sick, experiencing disadvantage or living with disabilities.

If we can help with anything at all, please reach out via events@varietyqld.org.au or call the office on 07 3907 9300.

Eli Finds His Voice

Eli was born slightly prematurely and, at just 19 days old, contracted a virus while in neonatal care. At six months, he began experiencing what were believed to be seizures. An MRI later revealed brain damage caused by his early illness, and Eli was subsequently diagnosed with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, epilepsy, cortical vision impairment – and he is considered non-speaking.

These complexities shape the way Eli navigates the world, particularly in how he communicates and advocates for his own needs. But through Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), he continues to show that communication should never be limited to spoken words.

Every child deserves a voice – and for Eli, his AAC device is quite literally called his “Voice”.

Eli began trialling his first AAC device in pre-kindy at three years old, supported by his occupational therapist. At the time, it offered only two choices, but for Eli and his family, it opened a world of possibility.

Because of his vision impairment, Eli relies heavily on memory to navigate the auditory pathways of his communication device, controlled by two switches positioned beside his headrest – one to move and one to select – across approximately 5,500 words and pathways.

As his mum Brooke explains, the impact has been profound: “It has changed our world and our perspective on giving children a platform.”

Last year, Eli attended Queensland’s inaugural Variety Motor Mouth Camp, a program designed for children who use AAC and their families. For Eli, the experience left a lasting impression. “It was better than Sea World!” he said. But the benefits extended far beyond fun.

“Now Eli is turning the TV on and off with his talking device, he can control toys, board games, control Google to play music, which we learned at camp. His favourite is giving out my mobile number to people he's taking a liking too which shows personality and confidence.”

For Eli’s parents Brooke and Brodie, one of the biggest breakthroughs was seeing Eli build trust and engage with others.

“The biggest thing about camp for us was that Eli was so engaged with the volunteers. What a bunch of incredible humans – they make our kids’ worlds easier to navigate. Eli doesn’t take to people easily. Due to his vision, it’s harder for him. It’s a trust process.”

Living in regional Queensland can bring extra challenges for families needing specialist services, with regular travel often required. But through the Variety Motor Mouth Camp, Eli’s family found something equally important: connection.

“We’re making friends too. We’re always in Brisbane for hospital and are planning to catch up with other families from camp, especially our volunteer who was matched with Eli over the duration. It feels like we’re taking away new family members and friends.”

For Brooke, connecting with other parents who truly understood their experiences was deeply reassuring.

“I don’t think people realise how hard life can be for children like Eli and their families. Hearing that other parents had similar worries and challenges was relieving in a way. You have people to bounce ideas off – you don’t feel so vulnerable talking about your struggles.”

Thank you, Bashers, for your fundraising efforts, which help kids like Eli thrive, belong and reach their full potential, regardless of disability or circumstance.

Extra Guests

Do you have guests you would like to attend our final night celebrations in Gladstone?  Check out the details below...

If you have guests who would like to attend on other nights throughout the Bash, please give Lizy a call on 07 3907 9300 or email events@varietyqld.org.au

All additional guests regardless of the day they wish to attend, MUST be pre-booked and paid by 26th June 2026. No extra guest bookings will be taken after this time.

Final Night Celebrations in Gladstone
Wrap up a fantastic trip in style at the Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre on Thursday 27th August. It’s the perfect way to celebrate great memories and good company!

Time: From 6:30pm until late
Tickets: $170 per person
Includes: A full evening of entertainment, 3 course meal and beverage package entertainment, and celebrations to mark the end of an unforgettable journey.

Dress code for our final night celebration is smart casual.

Important Dates 

We all know how quickly Bash sneaks up, so here are a few important dates to lock into the calendar now to make sure you’re ready to roll in August.

June 20th - Round 2 Scrutineering at the Variety Office in Bunya - Book Here.

June 26th - All Crew Forms and Provisions and Final Night Accommodation to be finalised. 

Please note that after 26th June, no crew changes, additions or refunds can be processed as final numbers and payments will have been locked in with suppliers and venues.

We strongly recommend taking out domestic travel insurance for the event just in case your plans change unexpectedly. More information can be found below.

Updated "Proudly Supporting" Variety Logos

We have become aware of an error with the Variety supporter logos previously available to download from the Toolbox, which has now been fixed.

Moving forward, you should only be using the four “Proudly Supporting” logos located in the toolbox. High resolution versions of these logos are now available to download from the Toolbox here.

As a reminder, all posters and marketing material being used for fundraising events must be sent to marketing@varietyqld.org.au for approval prior to use.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the update, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Variety team on 07 3907 9300.

Scrutineering - Book Your Spot Now

As part of our ongoing focus on safety and compliance, Round 2 Scrutineering will be conducted by Variety appointed scrutineers. Inspections will be a little more thorough than in previous years, helping us deliver a safe, compliant event while keeping things enjoyable for everyone.
 
Brisbane Region - Saturday June 20th 
Bookings are essential. You must reserve your preferred time slot to secure a time that works for you. Book early to lock in your spot, before Lizy has to call and ask why you are avoiding her - she says she has a list.
 
North of Mackay to Townsville
George Devlin will be coordinating inspections across this region. Please contact the office for further details.
 
Cairns Region
Peter Humphreys will be managing inspections in the Cairns region. Please contact the office to make arrangements.
 
Important Reminder
Round 1 Scrutineering must be completed before attending Round 2. This requirement can be met by providing either:

• A fully completed Variety Round 1 Scrutineering Form, completed by your mechanic and including business details, or
• A current roadworthy certificate.

A valid roadworthy certificate will satisfy the Round 1 scrutineering requirements.

Our Volunteer Mobile Workshops

Our Mobile Workshop crews are absolute legends, we know that.

Not only do they take time away from their families and their paying jobs to volunteer on the Bash, but they also fundraise and pay their own way to be here. They bring their vehicles, tools, equipment, skills and endless patience because they genuinely love the Bash and helping fellow Bashers get to the next stop.

With that in mind, we do have a couple of small reminders that will help keep our workshop crews smiling and coming back year after year.

First and foremost, the role of the Mobile Workshops is to get you into the next town. They are there to provide a temporary repair to keep you moving and get you safely to the next destination. Once you're in town, we ask you seek out a local mechanic for a proper fix. Local mechanics are listed in the Event Manual, or any Variety staff member or Official can point you in the right direction.

Over the years we've seen a few vehicles return to the Bash with the same issue that was patched up on a previous event. While our workshop crews will always do their best to help, the Bash spirit is about getting those temporary fixes sorted properly before you arrive on the Bash. 

A quick note about parts too. If the workshop crew provides you with spare parts for your vehicle, please ask what you owe them. Every nut, bolt, hose, clamp and spare part has been purchased by the workshop teams themselves and brought along at their expense so they're ready when one of us inevitably finds a creative way to break something!

And if a workshop crew has saved your Bash, don't be shy about showing a little appreciation. A donation to their car, a cold drink or coffee goes a long way. These crews spend hours lying in the dirt, under cars, in the heat and dust, often while the rest of us are enjoying dinner or a well-earned drink.

Let's make sure we're looking after the people who work so hard to keep us Bashing. Without them, a lot more of us would be enjoying the event from the side of the road!

Campground Lighting

Please note that while Variety will be providing lighting in key camping and common areas at our overnight stops, some camping locations do not have bright overhead lighting throughout the entire campground. To ensure your comfort and safety around your own campsite, we recommend bringing a small rechargeable camping light or some string lighting for personal use. These will be particularly useful when setting up camp, moving around your site after dark, or packing up in the early morning.

Australian Workers Heritage Centre - Barcaldine

Great news for our lay day in Barcaldine.

The Australian Workers Heritage Centre is usually closed on Sundays, but they are opening their doors especially for the 2026 QLD Variety Bash on Sunday 23rd August to welcome our group.

They have generously offered Bashers a discounted entry rate of $16 per person (normally $20.50), giving you the chance to explore the centre’s impressive displays and exhibitions spread across six acres of landscaped gardens and billabongs.

There is also an onsite café and retail store, with Bashers receiving 15% off store purchases (some exclusions apply).

It’s a fantastic opportunity to experience an iconic piece of Australian history and enjoy something a little different on the lay day.

You can check out the Australian Workers Heritage Centre brochure here.

Cornetts IGA - Barcaldine

A big shout out to Cornetts IGA Barcaldine, who are going above and beyond for us when the Bash rolls into town.

While they’re usually closed on Sundays, they’ve kindly agreed to open their doors from 9am to 2pm on Sunday 23 August so Bashers can top up on supplies and grab anything else they might need on the lay day.

It’s a great chance to restock while also supporting a local family-owned business that has made a special effort to look after our group.

You can check out their website here.

BYO Camp Chair

Don’t forget to pack your trusty camp chair for this year’s Bash! There’ll be plenty of chances to kick back in the evenings, enjoy some great entertainment, and swap stories around the fire, so you won’t want to be left standing. Plus, a few of the smaller towns we’re staying in simply don’t have the capacity to supply chairs for 400 people, so bringing your own will make sure you’ve always got the best seat in the house!

You will need to bring your camp chair to dinner on the following nights

Night 1 - Woodleigh Station
Night 3 - Greenvale
Night 7 - Capella
Night 8 - Carnarvon Gorge

Silent Auction Items

We're excited to be running some silent auctions during the 2026 Variety Bash! These auctions are a fantastic way to raise additional funds for Queensland kids who need it most, and we're inviting Bashers to get involved by donating items for auction. Whether it's a unique gift, experience, memorabilia, or something special from your local community, every contribution helps make a difference.

If you have an item you'd like to donate, please email events@varietyqld.org.au with the details and a photo of your item.

Best of all, the funds raised from any items you donate will be credited to your team's fundraising tally. The general guide is: 50% to the Basher who donated the item and 50% to the successful bidder. It's a great way to boost your fundraising while supporting Aussie kids.

Baggage Truck

Great news! The baggage truck will be rolling with us again this year thanks to the generous support of Griffith Transport! It’s a great way to lighten the load in your Bash car and make the journey a little more comfortable.

Here’s everything you need to know:

• $25 per bag or item on the truck
• Each item is subject to a maximum 17kg limit
• Items going on the truck can be dropped at the Variety office on Saturday 20th June when you attend scrutineering, or 9am - 4pm weekdays until Friday 7th August. You will also be able to purchase bag tags and have your bags added to the truck at Event Registration in Innisfail on Monday 17th August.
• Toys and items to give away to schools and children along the way travel FREE on the baggage truck, however, they must be clearly labelled with the following:
  • Your car number
  • Each box numbered (e.g. 1/3, 2/3, 3/3).
  • What day you require it
  • These items will be taken off the truck the afternoon before they are required

Make the most of it and pack smart so you can enjoy the adventure without the extra clutter!

In line with health and safety guidelines and out of respect for the volunteers who load and unload the truck each day, all bags will be weighed before being accepted. We will not accept bags/swags in excess of 17kg per item. You will need to split bags heavier than this. 

We will also not accept any pop-up gazebo/marquees, or any items deemed to be either too large or heavy for safe loading. We will have luggage scales on the truck throughout the duration of the Bash and if any changes are made to the overall weight of individual bags/swags during the event, we reserve the right to not load your item onto the Baggage Truck.

2026 Provisions Levies

The full levy rate of $1,469 for Cars and AWs and $1,227 for ACs now applies.

Your 2026 Variety Bash Provisions Levy includes:

• Official pre-event welcome dinner function in Innisfail on Monday 17th August
• Breakfast, lunch & dinner daily (excluding breakfast & lunch on day 6 in Barcaldine as this is the lay day, a catered dinner on the lay day is included in your provisions levy)
• Bus transfers where required
• Camping fees
• Final Night Gala Dinner in Gladstone, including a 5 hour drinks package
• Entertainment throughout the event
• An official Bash merchandise pack

Your Provisions Levy does not include final night accommodation

Note: as ACs are going direct from overnight stop to overnight stop, the AC provisions levy does not include lunches.

Bash Challenge Coins are also available to order on your Provisions Levy payment form. Please note these cannot be ordered anywhere else.

As per previous years, Final Night accommodation and Challenge Coins are NOT included in the Provisions Levy.

Final night accommodation can be booked via the accommodation section below and Challenge Coins can be ordered via the Provision Levy page when you make your payment.

Provisions Levy payments must be finalised for all participants by Friday 26th June 2026.

Crew Forms

All participants on the Variety Bash (regardless of whether you're in a Bash Car, AW, AC or OV) are required to complete a crew form per person. Crew forms MUST be completed by the 26th June.

Your crew form collects information like your shirt size for our merchandise order, your nickname for your name tags and any dietary needs so we can ensure you are well fed. Every person coming on the event needs to complete their own form, so if you're the Car Captain of the team please make sure each individual in your vehicle completes one. 

PLEASE NOTE: When completing your crew form, please refer to the shirt size charts below for your correct size.

Important note: You must participate in at least half of the 2026 Variety Bash for it to count toward your cumulative year award totals.

Decals

All participants and officials will receive their 2026 Variety Bash decal kits during registration in Innisfail alongside their merchandise bags.

In previous years decal kits have been handed out at scrutineering, however this year all decals will be issued at registration as you come through the check in process.

To make life a little easier, we’ll also have spray bottles with soapy water available on the day to help with decal application and get you Bash ready before we hit the road.

A full list of all decals will be distributed in the July newsletter. 

Theme Nights

Your 2026 theme nights are locked in! From the prehistoric dinosaurs of Hughenden to the bull-riding country legends of Capella in Central Queensland, get ready for laughs, creativity, and a whole lot of Bash spirit!

Here’s what to pack and when to wear it:

• Night 0 (Welcome Dinner): Your 2026 event shirt - you will receive this in your official merchandise bag at registration (and for those Bash Legends amongst us, don’t forget to proudly wear your 2026 Legends shirt!)
• Night 2: Your oldest or favourite Variety Bash shirt
• Night 4: Dinosaur / prehistoric / Jurassic Park vibes to match our epic location
• Night 6: From Country & Western to Bull Riders and everything in between
• Day 8: Tutu Tuesday - wear your favourite coloured tutu all day
• Final Night: Smart casual to celebrate in style

Final Night Accommodation

There are still rooms available for final night accommodation in Gladstone and you can book them here. Return bus transfers will be running to and from the final night venue for guests staying at Mantra and Peppers, making it easy for everyone to celebrate together.

Camping

Even if you manage to secure a bed in some towns along the way, we ask that you fill out the camping survey for ANY NIGHT YOU INTEND ON CAMPING. We require one survey per car so feel free to nominate someone from your team to complete it!

Not only does this help us keep track of numbers for our campgrounds, but in locations where we are charged per person, it allows us to save on fees and put that money towards what we do best - helping Aussie kids in need! 

Dinner on the Lay Day

Dinner in Barcaldine on the lay day will be provided, as there are limited dining options in town to cater for a group of our size. To make things easy and enjoyable for everyone, we’ve organised a great meal at the overnight camping location. This meal will be included as part of your Provisions Levy, so there’s no need to make separate dinner arrangements for that evening. Breakfast and lunch you are free to do as you please.

Please Respect the Ride

As we look ahead to future Variety events, we are asking all participants to please avoid using glitter on the event, or at the finish line. While it certainly adds sparkle to the celebrations, glitter has proven to cause ongoing issues once the festivities are over. It gets into upholstery, electronics, air vents and hard-to-reach areas, and is extremely difficult to remove from vehicles and equipment. This past year alone Variety Queensland has had to replace some expensive communications equipment because glitter caused issues with the electronics.

Paper based confetti and silly string are absolutely acceptable alternatives and still bring plenty of fun and colour to the finish line atmosphere. We simply ask everyone to be mindful of the impact on vehicles and the clean-up required afterwards as we are often on private or council owned land.

We also want to remind everyone about respecting fellow participants’ vehicles. Please do not place your fun team stickers or decals on the paintwork of other vehicles. If you are adding a sticker to someone else’s car, it must be placed on the glass only. Tampering with or altering another participant’s vehicle or theme at any time during the event is not permitted.

Let’s keep the celebrations fun, respectful and considerate for everyone involved.

Tow Hitches and Recovery Points

There’s been a little confusion around front tow hitches and recovery points, so to clarify, any of the following options are acceptable and will pass scrutineering:

A - Front mounted towbar with 50mm tow ball installed in the tongue
B - Front mounted towbar with recovery hitch and rated shackle
C - Front mounted recovery points

Please refer to the images below for reference.

In addition, all vehicles must have a rear tow hitch fitted, with 50mm ball installed on the removable tongue.

If you have any questions or are unsure if your setup meets the requirements, please get in touch with the Events Team on 07 3907 9300 or events@varietyqld.org.au.

Itinerary

Get ready for an unforgettable journey filled with great mates, iconic Aussie towns and plenty of fun along the way, all while helping kids who need it most!

Registration & Scrutineering - Monday 17th August - Innisfail
Day 1 - Tuesday 18th August - Woodleigh Station
Day 2 - Wednesday 19th August - Cobbold Gorge
Day 3 - Thursday 20th August - Greenvale
Day 4 - Friday 21st August - Hughenden
Day 5 - Saturday 22nd August - Barcaldine
Day 6 - Sunday 23rd August - Barcaldine (LAY DAY)
Day 7 - Monday 24th August - Capella
Day 8 - Tuesday 25th August - Carnarvon Gorge
Day 9 - Wednesday 26th August - Biloela
Day 10 - Thursday 27th August - Gladstone

Travel Insurance - The Smart Move

We all know life can be unpredictable at times, and while we certainly hope your Variety Bash plans will go off without a hitch, it's always worth having a back-up plan. With this in mind we recommend all participants consider a domestic travel insurance policy. 

Accommodation payments are non-refundable once booked, and Provisions Levy payments are non-refundable after the advertised cut-off date. As a charity, Variety Queensland simply isn't able to cover costs if your plans change after payments have been made to our suppliers. Having travel insurance in place means you're protected if something unexpected happens.

It's a simple step for a lot of peace of mind, leaving you to focus on the fun, the mates and the incredible difference you're making for Aussie kids!