About Us

 Over 6 years - total of $894,051.14
 2011 - Highest Bash Fundraiser - new Car 222 record - $190,000.00
 2010 - Highest Bash Fundraiser - $151,988.32
 2009 - Highest Bash Fundraiser - $119,371.28
 2008 - Second Highest Fundraiser - $153,888.88
 2007 - Highest Bash Fundraiser - $176,961.09
 2006 - Highest Bash Fundraiser - first Virgin team ever to take out this award - $101,841.57

 2011 - Awarded 2011 Dick Smith Trophy as Overall Highest Fundraisers in Australia
 2008 - Awarded for Outstanding Commitment and Exceptional Fundraising at Show of Hearts Ball
 2007 - Set Australian record in 2007, record still held in 2008
 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 - Winner of Gold Door Panel
 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 - Winner of Diamond Pin Award

Birdsville - Back of Beyond

Unique Sturt Desert Peas welcomed the 2011 South Australian Variety Bashers to their glorious outback garden as rains drenched these normally dry and desolate areas. Departing King William Road, Bashers trekked to Carrieton, Blinman, Montecollina Bore, Innamincka, the famous Dig Tree site, Strezlecki Crossing, Arkaroola, Copley, Leigh Creek, Parachilna, Wilpena, Bendleby Station, Peterborough, Barossa and toasted their success in Hahndorf, having raised $1.47 million for special needs children.

Car 222, the Precocious Penguins had cause to celebrate after a year of frantic fundraising and was again awarded the coveted Gold Door Panel with an outstanding total of $190,000.00. Team Captain Sue Pearce from Adelaide Expo Hire together with Roz Chow from House of Chow and May Loo from SARDI are proud to announce their total fundraising in a 6 year history of Bashing is in excess of $894,000 and were proudly awarded the 2011 Dick Smith Trophy as Overall Highest Fundraisers in Australia.

Being named as Sponsor of one of the1,200 Sunshine Buses in Australia this year is one of the catalysts behind the driving force of supporting this outstanding charity and to have our company name together with the 3 penguins is fun for the children -- who all have a personal penguin, and for us – a humbling recognition.

We would like to thank most sincerely our generous sponsors without whom this would not be possible, and only wish you could all see the faces of the special needs children and their parents when the appeal presentations are made. We know they would thank you themselves …… if only they could!

Despite the gloom of economic downturn and global warming the intrepid Precocious Penguins of Car 222 weathered both storms and raised $152,988.32 for the 2010 Variety Bash!

 Click here to watch footage of the 2010 Bash

The Precocious Penguins Sue Pearce and Roz Chow weathered unbelievable blizzards seeking suitable Bashers for the 2009 National Bash. The new chick, May Loo – although VIRGIN, is anxious to march a different terrain with the seasoned campaigners and based on 2008, will keep their wings folded. “We’re tricky little penguins, accustomed to challenges so don’t be surprised!!”

So in 2009, South Australia’s 21st Variety Bash Birthday, the Precocious Penguins raised a total of           $119, 371.28 and was the highest fundraiser in South Australia once again! Departing Adelaide and travelling through Orroroo, Arkaroola, Mt Freeling and Murpeowie Stations, Maree, William Creek, Mt Barry Station, Painted Desert, Mintibie, Kulgera, Curtain Springs, Kings Creek Station, Gosses Bluff, Glen Helen Resort, Larapinta and finishing in Alice Springs, the 6th national Variety Bash celebrated its 25th year of bashing with all states represented. The Variety Bash was initiated by legend Dick Smith who was present to speak of his vision and the results that have eventuated. Nationally, Variety has raised $107m net for children’s charities with South Australia contributing $12.604m to that total in its 21 years of involvement. This year, SA Bashers raised the highest amount, contributing $1.904m net to the overall national total of $7.9m net.

Winner Gold Door Panel and Diamond Pin Award....we had another great year, raising $153,888.88.  While not as high as the previous year, we were still very proud of our achievements, as our largest donations were $5,000.  This took our total over 3 years in excess of $432,000. 

Variety awarded the team for "Outstanding Commitment and Exceptional Fundraising", at the Show of Hearts Ball, held at the Hilton Adelaide in July 2008.

We were delighted to be present in full costume, at the Opening of the Variety Children's Centre,Flinders Medical Centre in 2007,for which Variety contributed $1.2 million.

Photo courtesy of
Newspix, Neale Winter

Angelique withdrew from the 2007 team, due to work commitments and a new building program.

However, with a new car, and Happy Feet a hot topic, we settled on our theme of The Precocious Penguins.

We gained a very generous supporter in Lance Vater, from Vater Corp, who, with his persuasive powers with his friends, helped us achieve far more than we thought possible.

Adelaide Airport was the Major Sponsor for 2007 and also sponsored our Golf Day for the second year.

We took out the Highest Fund-raiser Award for 2007 and set a new fund-raising record with a total of $176,961.09.

On return from the 2005 Variety Bash, the Gliderol 'boys' advised Sue Pearce (Adelaide Expo Hire), while in her hospital bed,  that they were going to find a car for her to participate in the Bash.  She boldly stated that she would raise more money than ever raised before.  When discovering that the amount was almost $172,000, she was not deterred and set about to find the best team to achieve her goals.

The 2006 team consisted of Sue, Angelique Boileau (Boileau Business Solutions) and Roz Chow (House of Chow), which was ably assisted by Sue Davies (ICMI Speakers & Entertainers) and Ann Ewer as Campaign Manager.

It was a steep learning curve and an intense program of fund-raising activities and seeking of sponsorships, with Hayes Knight Accountants winning the Major Sponsorship draw.  The goal was out of reach that year, but when we reached $85,000, an all out effort was made to tip over $100,000, with the final result being $101,841.57.