Ten days and over 4,000 kilometres of outback roads in a 1967 HR Holden will have printing industry notables Bruce Peddlesden, On-Demand, Victoria and Peter Benjamin, Discus, WA, eating dust to raise money for Variety Children’s Charity in the 22nd Bush Bash.
Following up on their magnificent effort last year when the pair, accompanied by Phil Rennell from Currie Group, completed the Tour de Tasmania, this year sees them bashing their way from the Goulburn Valley, Victoria, through four states via Birdsville and Broken Hill to make landfall near Hamilton Island in north east Queensland. This time around they are looking at beating their charity raising record of over $30,000 last year.
Undaunted by the distance to travel and the age of their trusty automobile, the two have absolute faith in the reliability of the old Holden, Number 15.
“She’s been around the clock a couple of times. But she’ll make it, no worries,” said Benjamin, who'll be doing all the driving this time around while Peddlesden handles the navigation. Reflecting on the motivation that drives the pair he says, "It's a way I can give back to the community and help Australia's future development after it has been good to me and my businesses, and have a bit of fun while doing it. I love travel and driving, I've driven across the Nullarbor more than 20 times, many with Bruce. I don't see the driving as a problem, it's the navigating I'm worrying about," he laughed.
The two boyhood friends and now business partners on either side of the country, Melbourne and Perth, are determined to raise as much money for Variety as possible. “I want the industry to get behind us with sponsorship, every little helps,” said Peddlesden. (pictured with the trusty #15)
The bash kicks off in Shepparton on Thursday August 23 and ends on Airlie Beach on Friday August 31.
Sponsorship donations can be made here