By Olivia Condous
Terry Adair has always felt the need for speed, and while he’s not as young as he used to be, he’s getting back on the open road and driving across the country for a good cause.
The 77-year-old Brookfield resident is partaking in the historic Variety Vic Bash charity event this year, after driving the original legendary journey back in 1985, started by renowned entrepreneur Dick Smith.
“I read about Dick Smith organizing this Variety Club bash, so I asked him if I could join in and he agreed,” Mr Adair said.
The Variety Club raises money for thousands of children who are sick, disadvantaged or have additional needs.
The 30th year of the event will involve a convoy of almost 100 cars, all at least 30 years old, driving about 5000 kilometres from Melbourne to Cairns via Birdsville.
Mr Adair has always had a passion for motoring, notably competing in the Australian Repco Reliability Trial in 1979.
He drove in the first three Variety Bash events back in the late 80s, but after going through the pandemic he’s ready to give it another go after a hiatus of more than 30 years.
“After a bit of idle time while we were in lockdown, I thought, why don’t I do another bash?”
Mr Adair met his new driving partner and friend Rudi Da Graaff during Friday happy hour at the retirement village where they both live.
“We had some same interests in aviation and cars and that’s how we got involved with each other,” Mr Da Graaff said.
The pair will be driving a 1992 Subaru Liberty dubbed Lifestyle Community Bash Boys, after their main sponsor Lifestyle Village.
Both men are keen for an adventure across the country while raising money for a good cause, having already fundraised more than $6000.
“It’s the adventure and the fun times… but the main reason of course is that Variety presents all the fundraising we’ve done to the communities we pass, for the kids,” Mr Da Graff said.
Mr Adair said he was looking forward to seeing the Australian countryside and visiting his old stomping grounds.
“I haven’t been to Birdsville for 35 years, that’ll be something to look forward to and I used to live in Cairns so arriving back into my old hometown will be a lot of fun,” he said.
If you’d like to help with the team’s fundraising efforts, go to: fundraise.variety.org.au/fundraisers/Car45
