Variety Bash get the jump on adoring crowds

Lollies, gifts, lots of excitement and a big cheque for $2900 as the Variety Bash rolled into Toolangi Primary School this morning. 171932

By Kath Gannaway

Who kn’ewe’ the 2017 Variety Bash was going to be so exciting?
As 60 or so character cars pulled into the Toolangi Primary School car park this morning on their way through the Yarra Valley and headed for East Warburton – and the Toolangi kids (and lots of the adults) were literally (yes, literally) jumping with excitement.
Surrounded by Elvises, any number of super heroes, the fun police, Sponge Bob Square Pants and friends, various cultural groups, Warburton driver Lachie Pitman and his “Sheep Assist Wool Save Ewe” crew and a home-grown Variety hero, Gary Demby, there was showbags, lollies, selfies, exotic music, lots of horn-blowing and, a donation of $2900 to the school.
Heading down the mountain to Healesville, where Mail journalist Derek Schlennstedt joined the circus as guest navigator with Lachie’s crew, the Bash headed across the valley and on to East Warburton for more fun.
The Bash, which raises money for kids in need, finishes 3500 kilometres to the north at Fraser Island on 26 August.
See more on the Valley’s Variety Bash adventure with an update and more pics by Derek later today, and visit www.variety.org.au/bash to follow the fund-raising trail blazers.