{"id":613823,"date":"2026-04-17T22:43:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T22:43:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/613823\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T22:43:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T22:43:11","slug":"variety-nsw-bash-cancelled-amid-charitys-concern-about-fuel-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/613823\/","title":{"rendered":"Variety NSW Bash cancelled amid charity’s concern about fuel crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of Australia’s most popular outback charity motoring rallies has been cancelled due to concerns over rising fuel costs and shortages.<\/p>\n

The annual bash run by charity group Variety NSW since 1985 involves about 300 motoring enthusiasts travelling through the state’s outback in outlandishly decorated cars, raising more than $1 million for children who are sick, experiencing disadvantage, or living with disabilities.<\/p>\n

This year’s event would have started in Newcastle before travelling throughout north-west NSW to Dirranbandi and Lightning Ridge, visiting schools and communities along the way.<\/p>\n

It is the second cancellation in the event’s 41-year history, with the previous one in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

The Variety NSW Bash involves colourful characters raising money for children. (Supplied: Variety NSW\/ACT)<\/p>\n

Variety NSW\/ACT chief executive Tony Warner said the decision to cancel the event was difficult but necessary.<\/p>\n

“The right thing to do is obviously to leave [fuel] for the farmers and the families who need it in those communities,” he said.<\/p>\n

“It wouldn’t be right for us to turn up and risk taking that fuel from people who really need it right now.”<\/p>\n

Mr Warner said fuel prices had compounded cost-of-living pressures for people living in regional Australia, where access to health services and equipment was already limited.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Tony Warner says Variety NSW still plans to honour its commitments to schools. (Supplied: Variety NSW\/ACT)<\/p>\n

“We’ve definitely had an increase in calls. We have families saying they can’t get to an appointment … they can’t get equipment where they are,” he said.<\/p>\n

Several schools along the Variety NSW Bash route were expecting materials and supplies from Variety.<\/p>\n

Mr Warner said they were arranging deliveries for later dates.<\/p>\n

To replace the lost fundraising revenue, Variety NSW will replace the bash with “Move in May”, an initiative encouraging people to cut back on using petrol.<\/p>\n

“We’re walking to work, cycling to work, some of us are going to the gym,” Mr Warner said.<\/p>\n

“Whatever it is you are doing to get away from using petrol, let’s celebrate that.”<\/p>\n

Fuel governs support<\/p>\n

Fuel pressures are also affecting other charities supporting regional areas.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In Bingara in north-west NSW, more than 1,000 hay bales were recently delivered to farmers by Aussie Hay Runners.<\/p>\n

The charity was supported by the NSW Rural Assistance Authority, which subsidised fuel for the 32 trucks that travelled from Victoria.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

Aussie Hay Runners have delivered more than 1,000 bales to farmers in Bingara. (ABC New England: Peter Sanders)<\/p>\n

Aussie Hay Runners founder Linda Widdup said it could cost up to $8,000 in diesel for one truck.<\/p>\n

“If fuel [costs] go up much more, it will make us think [about] what we can do because at the end of the day we’ve still got wear and tear on our vehicles,” she said.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Linda Widdup says one truck can use up to $8,000 in diesel per trip. (ABC New England: Peter Sanders)<\/p>\n

Ms Widdup said they were lucky diesel prices had not been as high for runs to the Mid North Coast earlier this year.<\/p>\n

“[The cost of fuel] does govern where we can and can’t go,” she said.<\/p>\n

Despite the challenges, Ms Widdup said seeing the Bingara community offering their time and even diesel to support farmers filled her heart with joy.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Bingara locals offered their own tractors and diesel to help unload hay and support local farmers. (ABC New England: Peter Sanders)<\/p>\n

“This is what makes a community … diesel is a stupid price, but they are still here. They put the diesel in their tractors to come down here, to load up their farmers,” she said.<\/p>\n

“That’s what it’s about, and that in turn is what keeps us going. You see things like that, and you just want to help.”<\/p>\n

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