The 2009 NSW Variety NRMA Insurance Bash will celebrate 25 years of ‘Bashing’ around Australia while at the same time again raising money for the Variety Children’s Charity which is dedicated to improving the quality of life of special needs children.

During their stay in Parkes the Bashers will be involved in a number of activities in the community.

Sunday evening (16, August) will see participants attend a Dinner with the Stars at the Parkes Leagues Club where the guest speaker will be Fred Watson.

Mr Watson is a world renowned astronomer and he will deliver a presentation as part of the International Year of Astronomy.

Parkes East Public School is one of the lucky beneficiaries of the 2009 Variety Bash. The school will receive $15,000 of new play equipment which will be erected before the Variety Bash arrives in Parkes.

School principal Michael Ostler said the school community was `over the moon’ with the support from Variety.

“We feel so privileged to receive such a large contribution to our school,” Mr Ostler said.

East Parkes school will host a barbecue breakfast from 7am on Monday, 17 August, prior to the Variety Bash participants heading off on the second leg of the journey to Hillston.

At the breakfast, Mayor of Parkes Cr Ken Keith will deliver a welcome address. Adding to the fun morning will be Town Crier Tim Keith and a guest appearance from `Elvis’ himself.

Students will also be entertained by well-known magician and entertainer `Super Hubert.’

The convoy of Variety Bash cars will depart the school at 8.30am and continue through town to Bushman’s Dam Reserve to highlight the disabled swing that was the charity’s previous contribution to Parkes Shire.

Katrina Dwyer (Parkes Shire Council’s Events Development Officer) said the Variety Bash was neither a race nor a rally.

“Rather it is a drive in the outback with a few mates,” Katrina said.

“The most important thing about the Bash is that speed is not important. What really matters is that everyone has an enjoyable time travelling in parts of Australia they would not otherwise see while at the same time raising much needed money to support special needs children,” she said.