The Variety Bash is one of the great fundraising events in Australia. Every year hundreds of 30+ year old cars cross the Australian outback to celebrate adventure and mateship and to raise funds for children and communities in need.
Variety is a Children's Charity that provides support for children struggling with sickness, disability or disadvantage. Toshiba has chosen to support Variety because of the high proportion of funds that go directly to children, and the way they prioritise real life assistance to children in need. Variety provide grants for specialist equipment such as mobility aids; medical support and therapies; transportation including the iconic Sunshine Coaches; learning and social inclusion experiences; anti-bullying programs and help with developing their talents and pursuing their dreams.
One longstanding project is Variety’s support of NETS – the Newborn and paediatric Transportation Service that gets critically ill children to the state’s paediatric intensive care hospitals. Variety’s support of NETS dates back to 1988 and today, one in 38 children in rural NSW will be transported by NETS at some point in their childhood.
Toshiba and Variety – a 25 year partnership
August 2025 will see the 50th year of the Bash and for Toshiba a quarter of a century as a participant. Toshiba now enters three sponsored cars in the company’s distinctive red and white livery and is the largest corporate fundraiser. In 2025, Toshiba’s goal is to raise $100,000, by matching customer donations dollar for dollar.
Toshiba also provides fully serviced multi-function devices (MFDs) for all the printing and copying at Variety’s Sydney, ACT and Newcastle offices, as well as producing the Bash participation certificates.
Technology for the benefit of society
When Toshiba was founded 150 years ago, one of its founding missions was to harness technology for the benefit of society. Technology and society has changed a great deal in 150 years, but the company remains true to that mission, and its partnership with Variety is one of the most important ways it fulfils the aims of its founders.
Raising funds, helping communities
The Bash is one of Variety’s biggest fundraising events, through the entry fees paid by teams to enter a car - $5000 for first timers and $7000 for returning teams – and associated fundraising like that done by Toshiba. In addition, The Bash helps the regional and remote towns it passes through to generate valuable trade by providing food and drink to the participants. For example, Bash participants will be the very first customers at the about-to-be-reopened Victoria Hotel in Ouyen, and there’s a dinner planned at the Swan Hill Town Hall. It’s true to say that the arrival of The Bash is a big event for towns along the route!
Toshiba Day – fun for a school along the route
Toshiba selects a different school along the route each year and hosts an event – known as Toshiba Day. This year, the selected school is the Lake Boga Primary School in Victoria’s Murray Valley. When the Bash arrives in the lakeside town, Toshiba Day will kick off with a free breakfast for the school’s 65 pupils, followed by games, prizes and giveaways.
This year, Toshiba Day at Lake Boga will also form part of Toshiba’s 150th birthday celebrations. Toshiba ANZ’s Managing Director Bret Davies will present a cheque to Variety for the funds raised by Toshiba, and will give a short talk about the splendid work that Variety does and why Toshiba has been a proud sponsor for almost 25 years.
How the partnership started
Toshiba’s involvement in the Bash started when Les Smith, a long-term participant in the Bash, joined the company, back in 2002. On Les’s first day, his new boss saw Les’ Bash car and instantly asked how the company could be involved. Toshiba sponsored the car and a tradition was born. Les, now retired from Toshiba, still takes part and has been inducted into the Variety Hall of Fame. Today, Toshiba has three cars in the event, and is the largest corporate fundraiser.
Seeing the amazing work that Variety does, Toshiba decided it wanted to provide additional support. The company now helps Variety with its printing and copying, by providing fully serviced multi-function devices (MFDs) at the charity’s Sydney, ACT and Newcastle offices and also by producing Bash participation certificates, saving Variety the cost of printing these themselves.
The Variety Bash has had a positive impact on children and communities across Australia, and Toshiba is delighted and proud to play a part in this amazing event.
