NSW Bash had their Final Dinner in Bowral on August 16. Part of the evening are the trophy presentations for the largest fund raisers and awards like the Perservance Award, the Putters Award, the Most Breakdowns etc.

Spirit of the Bash – outright winners of the Bash went to Car 555 the Ross team – Duncan and his two sons, James and Logan. Such a fun, helpful, engaging and colourful team. Sally Ross, our trusty Bash Coordinator must be very proud and happy also. Well deserved guys!

Others received the participation awards – a select group got 25 Years Award. A wonderful achievement guys – Brian Hoare, Charles Stuart, Chas Kelly, Stuart Telfer and Jack Canons. You all must have been young when you started!

Then the surprise of the night was the inductees of the Bash Hall of Fame. I GOT inducted!!! for my 15 years participation in Variety and volunteer work for Sunshine Coaches and generally hanging around. I can only do it with great support from crew – thank Brendon and his family, and my faithful mechanical magic men – Steve Corney and Evan at Mother Trekkers, Garry Williams and Ian Banks.

It was colourful, huge and loud – all the Bashers from all around Australia celebrating our efforts and fund raising totals. The dignatories included Sir Peter Cosgrove, Dr Fiona Wood and Dick Smith who initiated the Bash 30 years ago.

What a party!!!

After over 5 years of planning the BIG finish of the 30th NSW Anniversary Dick Smith Bash and National (All States of Australia where in Sydney on August 17) dawned.

NSW was in Bowral and due to have a cricket match at the Bradman Oval after breakfast, but it was raining — first time in months, but RAINING. So the cricket was a wet affair and the final drive to Sydney another moist adventure. Most Bash cars firstly do not have heaters, limited demisting capabilities and many have leaks. Some complained that it was raining more inside the car than outside as the ‘showers of blessing’ rained in from the dashboard area.

Little Pigs are lucky to have

1 – a working heater
2 – demisting – albiet in the middle of the windscreen in a narrow band
3 – no major leaks from the dashbard

Nevertheless it was a relief to finally roll past Busby’s Bore in Centennial Park and through the arch to the finish. Some were seen wearing garbage bags as they celebrated the finish in Moore Park.

Congratulations to all cars that ‘made it’. Another very successful event. 2014 B to B NSW Bash raised $2.28 million NET and whole National Bash grand total was $8.17 million.

Each Bash one day is nominated as COLOUR Day and we are to wear the designated colour all day. This year it was HARLEQUIN so all colours of the rainbow appeared at breakfast at Broken Hill and continued throughout the day – lunch at Pooncarie on the Darling River and dinner in Balranald.

Also Day 7 I had a Test Flying Pig with me – Alexis from OA1 and Brendon flew with Paul Mullaly all day. After lunch at Pooncarie, Bronwyn Harris from Charlie’s Angel Car 321 (whose Bash car was unable to continue after the Gold Coast) came along as a Test Charlie Pig as well. Fun day….complete with a wonderful sunset stop.

The Triples Cars – 111, 333, 444, 555, 999a and KKK9 put on a Fun Stop each year. This year we were approx 150 kms out from Cunnamulla at the Nooriama Race Course so all activities had a ‘race day’ flavour.

111 – Stainless Challenge, 333 – Elephant Walk, 444 – Gymkhana, 555 – Hippies Hop, 999a – Angel Dive and the ever SO popular KKK9 – Coffee Chug

Everyone said it was the BEST Triples Fun stop ever, especially the Race at the end hotly contested by Scooby Doo, Mutley the Dog and the Dinosaurs from the Altius team!

About 5 years ago Variety NSW granted a Sunshine Coach to Weilmoringle Primary School which is about 10 kms from the Qld border right near the dog fence.

We drove past it this year on our Bash route and I couldn’t resist going in to see how Margaret Coddington and the kids were going. We just ‘arrived’ for a short visit and gave them and the Mosman Primary School group that was visiting a very BIG surprise. I have two ‘test pigs’ with me that day, Angel Paula and Angel Lindy.

Often during the Bash we have ‘theme’ dressing days. Day 4 was Onesie Day ALL DAY.

This provided some wonderful moments of colour and style.