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Day 0
- The
beginning
We made
it
without any problems. Mackay the first night and
Townsville on
Sunday.
The new
guy is
stuffed already. Hit the wall on the second day.
Minus
two days
and counting.....Houston we don’t have a problem
yet!!!
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Day 1
-
Starters at the gate!
It was an
early
start at the Strand in Townsville for our first day
and the
locals must of loved us. We had breaky on the water
front (not
the M&Ms) and a number of jet skies went pass to
start the
bash. The Bash Truck got a visitor the first day. It
was Anna
and it was her Birthday. So her Birthday wish was to
go for a
ride in a Fire Truck. So we didn’t want to let her
down and
she came with us on the first day.
We made
our way
through Townsville and we had a number of Schools to
visit
this day. The Schools we did visit were Bambaroo State
School,
Victoria Plantation State School and Trebonne State
School.
The kids had a great time seeing all the bash cars and
Blazer
of course with a bit of Fire Ed by Iain.
It didn’t
take
Steve long to get comfortable in the truck.
The small
town of
Trebonne must of thought what was going on when about
150 cars
and around 500 people turned up in their main street.
After that
stop we
had a real huge climb up a mountain range where the
truck went
so well. It didn’t overheat or break down like a lot
of the
cars did. Must of been because of the mechanic that
fixed the
truck from last year (me). Once at the top we had
lunch and a
water tank was donated from Bushman Tanks to a little
school
called Mt Fox State School with I think has 5 or so
kids.
Then it
was off to
our overnight stay at Undara and came across a few
break downs
so we got in at about 10 that night.
We had no
issues
with the truck and went so good.
Day 2
-
Undara to Hughenden
The morning
started
with a wash of your windscreen for a donation as all the
cars were
so dusty from the drive yesterday. Once we left Undara it
didn’t
take long for another break down to happen. This time the
car lost
its wheel but was all repaired and back on the road in a
short
amount of time. The roads today are real dusty and rough. A
lot
more cars had trouble during the day.
We visited a
School at
Mt Surprise and tried to get fuel. Again about 150 cars
and one
petrol pump later we were on our way again.
This year we
have a
World Champion female surfer travelling with us, Lane
Beachley ,
Great lady.
Blazer had
time to do
a bit of fishing beside a creek. Didn’t catch anything.
After a few
more car
break downs, the Variety clowns kidnapped me and took me
for the
rest of the morning. At the lunch stop one of our crew
members was
going with another vehicle to do a fun stop but by the
time they
got in at lunch, the vehicle had already left. In the mean
time
the guys picked up the New Zealand Variety Bash Director
to take
him for a ride in the truck. This meant I had to find
myself a
lift to the days finish line. I got a lift with some
friends in
AW999. This had comfortable seats and air conditioning.
Couldn’t
complain. We stopped at a place with what must be one of
the
smallest pubs I have ever seen. Check out the closing
time!
The afternoon
run was
long and dusty again. To break the trip up we stopped and
played
cricket. Once we started a lot more cars stopped and
joined in.
This made us late into our night stop at Hughenden and we
missed
most the night function.
Once I caught
up with
the crew off the bash truck they were a bit sheepish. I
found out
that they had broken the truck. Some one engaged the pump
while
driving which is a NO NO. Now this means we don’t have a
water
pump. I will have to fix it when we get back to Brissy.
Day 3
-
Hughenden to Winton
Before we
departed
for day 3 we had a visit from John Dodd and his wife
from
Brisbane. Most of the Firies will know John as he is a
QFRS
Officer which works in Brisbane in the B.A room.
Today was
change
the navigator day. Your navigator was taken away and
some
stranger was put into your car to navigate for you. It
is a
great way of meeting other teams. We had Nick from the
Shrek
bus. Thommo left us and went with another team. He had
a ball
once we met up again.
This is
another
long day and on the way we had a stop at the point of
geographical Centre of Queensland. Also a bore which
was dug
106 years ago and has not stopped. The water temp is a
hot
65Degrees C. At one stage we thought we had arrived at
the Big
Rock in the middle of Australia. But we were wrong.
For the
lunch stop
it was at the Muttaburra horse races. A small town
with a lot
of nice people that couldn’t do enough for us. Just to
let you
know my horse didn’t win. We were buzzed by an ultra
light
plane which dropped heaps of lollies for the kids onto
an open
paddock. It was called a lolly drop. Go figure. The
kids went
crazy and searched for the lollies.
We had
Variety
duties after lunch. We had to do the afternoon check
out of
all the cars, which made us late and we went the
direct way to
Winton which was over 200 km away over dirt. I think
there is
a pattern forming that as soon as the crew members get
in the
back of the truck they fall asleep. So we had to keep
them
awake with some games.
Once we
did get on
the main road we had heaps of road trains which are
big units
going past and you just get out of their way.
Day 4
-
Winton to Mt Isa
Today is a
very
early start for us. We have to do the first check
point and
get to the place before the other bashers get there to
mark
them off on the run sheet. More road trains and that’s
no
bull. Look at the eyes who is scared of who????
Again that
pattern
is there. The whole team this time.
Once we
arrived we
set everything up and Blazer made an appearance. (Just
a note
it was about 35 Deg C ). We had a visit from Gladdie
one of
the Variety Clowns. Nice Lady as well.
If you are
wondering why the cab is up on the truck....It was not
broken,
just checking everything, as it has had some big days
on bad
roads.
On the way
back to
Mt Isa we came across a man riding his bike in the
middle of
nowhere. He is riding the Birdsville track and he is
from
Holland.
When we
pulled
into a small township called Dujarra we were met by
some local
kids. We chatted about the truck and Fire Ed and gave
them
some presents which we had on board. They all had
great
manners. Good on you kids.
This maybe
the
last time I get to this web site until Alice Springs
as the
phone coverage is not real good where we are about to
go. I
will try but if not I will complete it when I return
home.
Day 5
-
Mount Isa to Adels Grove
Sorry everyone
for not
updating but I had no phone reception until Alice Springs
but was
way too busy there to catch up. So much to see and do.
Day five was a reasonable easy day. Most of it was on
bitumen and
It was also a straight drive to lunch. No visiting any
schools.
OV12 had two visitors today. One was Kimberley and the
other was
Geoff who drove OV12 for the day. Geoff was a crew member a
few
years ago. I drove his car OV9. Every now and then we
stopped on
the side of the road for a comfort stop and to break the
monotony
of the drive.
The bash stopped at a place called Gregory Downs Hotel for
lunch
where there was an Italian theme lunch. It was great food.
This
place was visited on the first ever bash in 1985 with Dick
Smith,
Bourke to Burketown. It was a hot day and just behind the
Hotel
was a great waterhole. Most people had to go swimming as
they
passed through to the night stop.
After lunch it was back onto dirt and very rough to our
night stop
at Adels Grove. When we arrived it looked like a dry old
dust bowl
of a joint. But once I had a chance to go for a walk there
was a
river flowing through the property. (See photos day 6).
How could
a place be so dry and dusty and a deep flowing river be
there?
Day 6
-
Adels Grove Rest Day
Today was a
well
earned rest day for everyone. Some people worked on their
cars to
get them ready for the next halve of the bash but since
the truck
was not giving us any problems, we could do what we
wanted.
A friend, Chrissie and I went for a joy flight with the
owner of
the property. It was amazing to see what was around the
place. He
was so informative about the region he has lived in for
the past
15 years. He flew us over his property, then up the gorge
to see
such a beautiful area with the flowing river around such a
baron
area. It was amazing to see how the landscape changed in
such a
small area. Not far away was a large mine which is the
Century
mine. What a pity to destroy such a area.
When we got back to the camping area we went for a swim
for about
3 hours. Just didn’t want to get out. There was of coarse
fresh
water crocodiles in the area but if was safe to swim. So
they told
us!!!!
That nights entertainment was Leo Sayer and James Blundell
performing singularly and then together. It was a really
good
night before we hit the rough and dusty roads tomorrow.
There was an appearance from two lovely ladies in pink.
Try and
figure out who they are. It was not me this time. They
said some
girls tricked them into getting done up but they did seem
very
comfortable in what they were wearing. (Note - it was not a
theme
night).
Day 7 -
Adels
Grove to Urandangie
Today there is
a lot
of dust as we head towards the border of Queensland and
Northern
Territory. Today’s visitors are Trish a Variety
Photographer and
Karen a Pussycat Doll.
It didn’t take
long before we hit the dirt and dust but out of
nowhere this great creek crossing where the Variety Clowns
will
help anyone and no he didn’t drop her but everyone was
yelling to
do it!!! Just around the corner the dirt and dust again
and again.
Getting a bit sick of the dust but “it’s a bash”.
Ok we have come to the conclusion that Steve the Ambo can
sleep
anywhere. The pattern is, get in the truck and in 10
minutes fall
asleep. We must be boring. He even fell asleep when he was
navigator.
We stopped a few times to help other bashers that had
broken down
so we got to our lunch stop a bit late to see the kids at
Camooweal State School. They just started to head back to
class
when we pulled up. A quick sound of the siren and a lot of
waves
later we kept on travelling to Urandangie along, yes
again, a dirt
and dusty road with a lot of road trains. Just have to
pull over
and wait for them to pass. The back trailer can whip so
much when
you are travelling towards them.
As we arrived in Urandangie we
were met by some of the local
residents and Blazer went to say hello. I think the kids
were
overwhelmed by all the bashers and the big koala walking
around.
Did a quick Fire Ed with them and they all knew the right
answers.
Good on you kids, great to see. We where made very welcome
by all.
We had a street party that night and a donation from
Variety of a
chain wire fence around a great new kids play park. Before
it was
a barb wire fence and the slippery slid faced straight
into it.
Day 8 - Urandangie to Jervois Station
Not
long after we left Urandangie in the morning we left
Queensland
and entered Northern Territory. Just before we went over
to NT,
the Variety Police stopped everyone for a passport check. I
hid on
the roof of the truck and was smuggled into NT.
We all got exited as we thought we
could see
the Rock, which would of been hundreds of kilometres away,
so we
joked about it. It passed the time away as we drove to our
lunch
stop. I would not like to be travelling behind the truck
along
this road. The road was called the Plenty Highway. It was
rocks
and bull dust. A lot of cars destroyed tyres and
suspension along
this stretch. OV12 had no problems thanks to the
Bridgestone tyres
and of course the guy that services and maintains the
truck.
As we finally got into our lunch stop we had a fun stop with
the
Hippees doing a medical check and immunising us against
nipple
moth ????? As you can see the lunch stop was in a dusty
field and
we all had to wait as the truck with the lunch broke down.
Two and
a half hours later we had lunch and off to our night stop.
Again
we got in late as we helped more bashers with break downs.
The stop had no showers but we rigged up a shower from our
water
supply and portable pump which was just what was needed
after that
day. Some other bashers found out we had showers and so
nicely
asked if they could have one. Which of course we agreed
to. After
the shower there was a concert but we camped a little way
away so
we made a fire and sat around it and talked for quite a
bit of the
night with the music from the concert in the back ground.
As the
night went on, we had visitors to our camp fire and it was
very
relaxing.
Day 9
-
Jervois Station to Alice Springs
The
last day of dirt today – yippee. Only 180 Kms of very
rough and
dusty dirt and then bitumen all the way to Alice Springs.
Once the
dust settled in the truck, all of us had a nice shade of
red dust
all over our faces and arms. The bash all stopped before
we hit
the main highway into Alice Springs so we all could travel
through
town together so Alice Springs know we have arrived. On
the way
the speed limit is a bit more than what we are used to in
Queensland. I wound the old girl up and nearly got there, I
had to
back off for the car in front and that’s my story.
We all got some looks from the locals and plenty of waves and
cheers when they realised who we were. The finish line was
only
the finish for the Queensland Bash as we still had another
day for
the National Bash.
We arrived in Alice Springs just after lunch so we could
look
around and as we were tourist the other states bashers
started to
arrive and we were continually waving at every car that
drove
past.
That night it was our last dinner and awards night which
was so
good. It was announced that the Queenslanders raised $1.3
Million
for the Disabled and Disadvantaged kids of Queensland.
That was a
great effort considering the economic climate. It was hard
to
fundraise this year. I didn’t have the figure of what OV12
raised
this year but it should be around the $8000.00 to $9000.00
mark. I
want to raise a lot more next year. Here’s hoping!!!!
Day
10 -
Alice Springs – The National Bash drive through.
In the morning
we had
to line up for the drive through town with all the other
States.
We saw NSW, Vic, NT, SA and WA bashes all ready to do the
drive.
There was about 2000 bashers in Alice Springs for this
event. A
couple of states finished here in Alice Springs but some
are in
the middle of their bash.
Once we arrived in town we had to drive through the mall
where the
reception was so awesome and so many people that you
didn’t know
which way to look. Everyone was yelling and cheering,
taking
photo’s and movies of us.
The drive finished at the Henley on Todd Regatta where
Variety
made a boat and entered it in the Regatta. It was made
from xxxx
Gold cartons, plastic tubes and cable ties. The atmosphere
was
party mode as we finished another bash.
That night it was the National Bash Dinner and we had
special
guests which one of them was Dick Smith who was the one
who
originally started the bash tradition in 1985. It was
mentioned
that all the Variety states raised a massive $8 million
together.
The nights entertainment was a great line up of acts which
included, Leo Sayer, James Blundall, Dave Gleeson, John
Paul
Young, Frankie J Holden, Wilbur Wilde and The Screaming
Jets.
Huge
night and I didn’t take my camera :-(
It was also the night to say goodbye to all the bash
friends until
next year, or the next social night which may be in
September .
But still had to say goodbye.
Thank you to all the sponsors and the people that made
this year’s
bash possible. Also Thank you to this year’s team members,
Iain,
Steve, Deb (mum) and the Honouree team member Anna.
The
next day
and the trip home.
Even though
the bash
was over, a group of us went for a small trip to the Ayers
Rock
which was over 400 Km away and in the wrong direction to
home. The
roads were flat and straight. We got there in time to see
the sun
set and stayed there until sun rise. It was so awesome and
glad we
did it. Walked up and around the Rock and then drove back
to Alice
Springs.
We also stopped and stayed with one of our sponsors, Mr
and Mrs
Rogers from Toobrack Sheep Station at Longreach and they
made us
so welcome. Then the drive back to reality.
OV12 travelled
10 185 Km total and 3 234 Km home. What a trip. If
you read the back of the shirt of all the bashes done in
the past
20 years, I believe we are doing them all over again as
from next
year.
Bye everyone till next year or some new news......
Life is
meant to
be full of surprises , some we can do with out though,
after
some 'issues' with the PTO the 'issues' where located
and will
now be repaired.
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OVFIRE
