A BIG shout out to the Bush Cricketers who raised an astounding $346,147 on the 2014 Variety Dick Smith B to B Bash! The team’s incredible fundraising efforts placed them as Highest Individual Fundraising Car on the National Bash, awarding them with the coveted Dick Smith Trophy.

Captain of car 147, Phil Cave first joined the Variety Bash 25 years ago alongside mates Steve Roberts and Richard Grellman. A decade ago good friends Kym Godson, John Conti, Joe Bugely and Warren Douche decided they wanted in on the action too and the Bush Cricketers grew to a two car band wagon of seven. Their passion for helping children shared with their love of cars drove them to join the Bash, and they’ve been Bashing ever since! Initially the team planned on only joining the Bash for five years but the combination of comradery, unique experience in the outback and visiting the kids was too good to resist year after year!

Three cheers for the Bush Cricketers

HEARTBEATNEWSLETTER

Official newsletter of Variety – the Children’s Charity NSWIssue#06 - 2014 Spring/Summer Edition

This year marked the 30th Anniversary of the famous Variety Bash and also coincided with a ‘National Bash’ which takes place every half decade.

To celebrate this special occasion, all Bashers from mainland states and territories made the journey to Sydney on Sunday 17 August. The Bash caused a stir in Sydney with 550+ Bash cars driving across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, followed by a spectacular dinner at the Royal Hall of Industries for 1,700 guests to celebrate the success of the Bash.

The evening was hosted by comedian, Vince Sorrenti, and TV presenter Karen Ledbury, with special guests including his Excellency General the Honourable Peter Cosgrove AK MC (retd), Minister for Health

the Honourable Jillian Skinner MP and entrepreneur Dick Smith.

Variety Patron, and former Australian of the year,

Dr Fiona Wood AM

recognised the hard work and dedication of the Bashers speaking about their selfless work, fundraising to help thousands of children they may never meet, but whose lives will be positively impacted as a result of their extraordinary efforts. Performances by Variety ambassador, John Williamson, current INXS lead singer, Ciaran Gribbin, and Variety Scholarship recipient, Connor Wink, had everyone on the dance floor.

The Bash began in 1985 when businessman, explorer and philanthropist, Dick Smith, wanted to take a few mates for a drive in the outback, and at the same time raise money for charity. Dick organised a small motoring event known as the Bourke to Burketown Bash, raising $250,000 for Variety. And so the Bash began. Since then, the Variety Bash has raised hundreds of millions for Variety – the Children’s Charity and continues to inject approximately $3 million into rural communities visited each year.

This year the Variety Dick Smith B to B Bash had its most

successful year yet, raising $2.1 million NET for Aussie

kids in need!

/VarietyAUwww.variety.org.au P: 02 9819 1000 /VarietyAU /VarietyAustralia

30 Years of Bashing!

Join us

on the 2015

Variety B to B Bash!

Variety.org.au/

NSWBash

In this edition:The Variety Cycle 2015

Route Announced

Photos courtesy of Zoom Productions

Our Scholarship golden girlSixteen year old Maddison Elliot hasn’t let cerebral palsy slow her down from pursuing her dreams, becoming the youngest Australian gold medallist and adding a world record to her list of achievements.

Maddison displayed an unbridled enthusiasm and skill for swimming early on, after initially engaging in the activity as therapy for her mild cerebral palsy. Through her high school years as her skill developed, so too did the opportunities to travel to competitions interstate. Given that the expense of the swimming fees and travel costs were beyond her family’s means, Variety provided Maddi with a Variety Scholarship to help her reach her goals.

Maddi has excelled since receiving the Variety Scholarship, representing Australia at the 2012 Paralympics, where she received a gold medal, as well as silver and two bronze.

More recently Maddi competed at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, not only winning a gold medal in the Women’s 100m S8 Freestyle but breaking the world record at an incredible time of 1:05:32.

Maddi had gone into the competition simply aiming to swim as hard as she could and was “over the moon” at winning gold and was even happier when she realised she had broken the world record. Maddi backed up her extraordinary efforts at the Commonwealth Games by claiming three gold and five silver medals at the Pan Pac championships in California.

DIARY DATESNEWCASTLE MINI BASH Friday 17 – Sunday 19 October 2014 VARIETY CYCLE LAUNCH DINNER Thursday 23 October 2014YOUNG VARIETY GOLF DAY Friday 24 October 2014VARIETY GOLF DAY Friday 31 October 2014VARIETY POSTIE BIKE DASH Sunday 2 – Friday 7 November 2014VARIETY SANTA FUN RUN Sunday 7 December 2014NEWCASTLE SPLASH Friday 20 February – Sunday 22 February 2015 THE VARIETY CYCLE Saturday 28 February – Sunday 15 March 2015‘LODGE TO LAKES’ 4WD CHARITY ADVENTURE Sunday 8 – Friday 13 March 2015

Visit www.varietynsw.org.au & EVENTS to find out more.

Maddi’s mother, Nicole is in awe of her daughter’s efforts saying “It’s all still kind of surreal to see her competing at this level. To see her compete at age 13 in London at the Paralympics and now at the Commonwealth Games winning gold and breaking the world record in her classification makes me a very proud mum.”

Photo:Getty Images

The Variety Cycle is heading to Tassie!With the success of the 2014 Variety Cycle, we’re now gearing up for The Variety Cycle 2015 from Sydney to Hobart! The Variety Cycle will make its way from Sydney on 28 February through some of the most scenic landscapes in Australia before finishing in the stunning seaport of Hobart on 15 March.

28 February - 15 March 2015

2,000+km

Want to find out more about The Variety Cycle?Join us at Sydney’s newest waterfront venue, Dockside Pavilion on October 23 for The Variety Cycle Launch Gala Dinner hosted by actor, Shane Jacobson and TV presenter, Sylvia Jeffreys. We’re delighted to announce that Australian cycling sensation, Simon Gerrans will be one of our guest speakers on the night.

Visit www.thevarietycycle.com.au to book your tickets today.

There are cycling options to suit everyone! Join us for 1 day, 2 days, a week or ride the full 15 days to Hobart!

The Variety Cycle is professionally supported with, bike mechanics, food, accommodation, medical teams, support vehicles travelling with each peloton and more, so all you need to do is bring your bike, hop on and ride.

Our inspirational ambassador for The Variety Cycle ‘14 was Turia Pitt. This brave young woman’s story of survival continues to be an inspiration to all - overcoming the burns she sustained to 65% of her body when she was trapped by a grassfire during her ultra-marathon in the Kimberly in 2011. Turia, together with her partner Michael, despite both having little to no cycling experience, rode alongside cyclists for close to three weeks, raising over $61,000, and contributing to the incredible fundraising total of over $600,000. Turia spoke fondly of her experience; “The Variety Cycle 2014 was the toughest challenge I’ve done to date. At the same time, it was so rewarding, particularly when we got to visit schools to which Variety supports. I highly recommend The Variety Cycle for anyone wishing to challenge themselves whilst raising funds for an extraordinary cause.”

Visit www.thevarietycycle.com.au to find out more and to register.

SYDNEY

MELBOURNE

HOBART

DEVONPORT

Guest speaker at Variety Cycle Launch Dinner

SimonGerrans

Variety Santa Fun Run is coming to town

A special gift for children in need

Run, walk or roll in Australia’s most festive fun run, for all ages and abilities! The Variety Santa Fun Run is taking place in Sydney, Newcastle and Canberra on Sunday 7 December and we want YOU to join in the action!

Variety grant recipient, Matthew Van Hoek and his family joined the Variety Santa Fun Run in 2013 for the first time and had an absolute ball. Matthew’s mother, Debbie, saying “It was fun dressing up as Santa and joining in the spirit of the day. The highlight for the whole family was reaching the end of the race and seeing the 1000’s of Santa’s sitting on the steps of the Opera House and the festivities at the end.”

Pushing Matthew in his wheelchair and her granddaughter in a pram is no mean feat but Debbie said “The route was

easy, even pushing the wheelchair and a pram.“ The family loved the stunning scenery of Sydney, seeing parts of the city they’d never seen before and thought the entertainment on route was great fun!

When asked whether the Van Hoek family would join us again for the 2014 Variety Santa Fun Run, Debbie’s response was “We are definitely going again this year! It was great to spend the time together as a family, helping such a worthwhile cause. Matthew felt especially proud wearing the special gold hat for raising money for Variety.”

On one special day each year Variety enables thousands of families to experience something we all take for granted - a break from everyday life, acceptance and support in a fun environment, and a chance to experience the joy of Christmas like all children should. The Variety Kids Christmas Party is an opportunity for 5,000 sick, disadvantaged and special needs kids and their siblings to simply be a kid and enjoy the spirit of Christmas.

The party is every child’s dream, providing an assortment of rides, performing acts, animals, face painting, toy giveaways and so much more! Variety is able to put on this spectacular event with the support of the Ladies of Variety (LoV’s) a group of dedicated women who volunteer their time to help put a smile on children’s faces. The LoV’s formed in 1980 with the aim of providing outings and activities to enrich the lives of Variety’s special kids and have been organising the party since it was first established in 1996.

President of the LoV’s, Margaret White, who first joined the LoV’s in 1984, says her highlight in organising the event is “just hearing the stories that the party has really given something extra special to a child and their family. “

She says that the party may be the first really happy day for a child, their first swing, ride on a pony or opportunity to go on the giant slippery dip.

Mother of six year old Neil, spoke fondly of the Kids Christmas Party saying,

“We love the special Christmas parties that Variety hosts, it really gives children something to look forward to and an opportunity to

meet other Variety kids! Thank you Variety for all your help!”

Visit www.varietysantafunrun.com.au to register today

Sunday 7

December FREE Santa Suit included

$50 can send a child to the Variety Kids Xmas Party

$15 can provide a child

with a present

With Christmas just around the corner, we have a number of festive events coming up and we’d love to have your help. Volunteers are vital in assisting Variety’s work, helping raise funds, providing support at events and most importantly, putting a smile on kids’ faces.

The time and energy invested by our volunteers is greatly appreciated, whether you can volunteer a few hours or a few days, your support is truly valued.

Please see below for our upcoming volunteer opportunities:

Variety Sydney Airport Christmas CampaignLocation: Sydney Airport (Domestic and International Terminals)

Timing: November – December 2014, 4.5 hour shifts (volunteers needed 7 days a week)

Variety Santa Fun RunEvent Day Support Location: Sydney CBD Timing: Sunday 7 December 2014, 7am – 12pm

Flyer Handout Location: Your local area Timing: Anytime at your own convenience

To register your interest for any of these volunteer opportunities, please contact Kayla Dawson on (02) 9819 1028 or email kayla.dawson@varietynsw.org.au

www.variety.org.au/NSWvolunteers

Recently, using the funds provided by supporters, Variety granted four year old Gigi with a Second Skin. Gigi has ataxia and hypertonia which affects her movement. Due to her conditions, Gigi has difficulty balancing and supporting herself. The new second skin suit helps develop Gigi’s mobility and improves her posture. Her mother and grandfather were so thankful for the support provided. Her grandfather sent us this lovely thankyou.

Letters with heart

Enthusiastic volunteers wanted!

Roy, Grandfather

Meet Gigi, aged 4

Equipment granted: Second skin suit

Five year old Harry has the developmental age of a six-month old, cannot walk or speak, is severely vision impaired and needs help for all of his self-care requirements. He attends The Infants’ Home school at Ashfield five days a week, where he regularly accesses specialised teaching from occupational and play therapists, and a speech therapist is slowly showing him some sign language to enable him to communicate with others.

Thanks to our supporters, Variety was able to provide Harry with a walker, allowing him to move by himself for short distances, giving him his first taste of independence. Harry’s walker has made an unbelievable difference to his quality of life. His mother Emma explains, “The walker is extraordinary. It’s sturdy and large, and encourages him to stand and move. The walker enables him to put weight on his legs, which will make them stronger, and there is now a good chance that in the future he may be able to actually stand, unaided, and there is a possibility that he could eventually be able to walk.”

As Harry’s only options for communicating are crying, laughing and yelling, he can have quite challenging behaviour issues, but is slowly and surely achieving new milestones. Harry adores his older brother Oliver, and they enjoy a very precious relationship, with Oliver being very protective of his younger sibling. A very tactile child, Harry adores giving and receiving big hugs with Emma, Oliver and his dad, Andy.

Emma says, “We wish to express our gratitude to Variety for the enormously positive impact the walker has made to our family’s life.”

“You’ve made such a difference to a little

boy’s life.” “Everything we invest in now is to help make Harry’s future the best it can be. Even though Andy and I both work full-time, the money we earn is not enough to buy all of the special equipment, therapy and schooling that Harry requires, and we’re so thankful to Variety for helping us to help Harry.”

Variety NSW AHA Bash 17 – 23 May 2015A seven day motoring event, visiting rural communities and local schools along the way to support children and their families. The iconic event starts in Newcastle and travels through rural NSW stopping at Young, Hay, Gol Gol, Condobolin, Mudgee, and Cessnock before finishing back up in Newcastle.

Newcastle Splash 20-22 February 2015A fantastic long weekend event on the picturesque Lake Macquarie. All water vessels are welcome, from a canoe to a houseboat, any kind that floats! Join

Variety along with John Paul Young and Super Hubert for a long weekend filled with good food, friendly people and a spirited atmosphere.

Harry gets his first taste of independence

What's On in NewcastleWe have many exciting events coming up in the Newcastle region, so whether you’re a local or from out of town, join us on one or all of these memorable events!

Want to find out more? Contact Victor Sheil on (02) 4965 4911www.variety.org.au/ Newcastle

Postie Bike Dash 2-7 November 2014

A unique traditional postie bike event that travels through the beautiful

countryside of the hunter region and rural NSW. The event is limited to

30 bikes so make sure you get in quick to secure your spot!