HIGHWAY TO By ED MERRISON
YARRA Valley’s own host of angels is bashing its way through the bush to raise funds for the 2005 RACV Insurance Variety VicBash.
Charlie’s Charity Angels, alias Julie Arnott, Elaine Schulze and Jo Watson, joined another 124 pre1970s cars at the starting line in Geelong last Thursday, 18 August, for the epic 10day journey to Caloundra, Queensland.
For Badger Creek resident Arnott and her 1966 HR Holden Station Wagon, ‘the Yellow Terror’, this 15th anniversary race marks a third consecutive year of involvement in the event.
Meanwhile, Arnott’s twin sister, Elaine, who works with disabled children in Mount Evelyn, joins friend Jo Watson for their maiden Bash.
It is also the third time that Yarra Valleybased De Bortoli Wines has stepped in as the local entry’s principal sponsor, helping the Angels amass a predeparture stash of $8000 which they hope to swell to about $10,000.
“We are overwhelmed at the level of support from the local community,” Ms Arnott said.
“De Bortoli Wines are absolutely fantastic with their level of support, along with David Brown The Professionals, Craig from Shockwire Electrical, Healesville High School and many other fabulous people.”
Money raised from the Bash, which last year made $7 million Australiawide, goes to Variety and will be used to improve the quality of life of Australia’s sick, disabled and disadvantaged children.
As well as covering 500700km per day on their way through Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, racers will meet with several school and community groups.
Each entry must have a theme, with a prize for best theme awarded at a big endofrace party in Caloundra on Saturday, 27 August.
“We’ve got to stay in costume 24/7, so we’ve even had to make angel pyjamas,” said Ms Watson.
Other prizes up for grabs are the Lost Compass award for wayward navigation and the Ultimate Cheat award, reserved for the team that comes up with the best fundraising scam on the road.
Despite the benevolent venture, celestial white robes and cherubic smiles, the trio is looking to have some devilish fun at the expense of fellow competitors.
With team duties split between an alcoholfree driver, a navigator and a cheese and wineguzzling passenger in the back, competitors may find it hard to clip these angels’ wings as they head for road trip heaven.
Victorians wishing to improve upon a 2004 State total of $1.4 million can call Variety on 8698 3927.
