ACE Network sends Blues Brothers, Bandits and Cowboys on the road

The ACE Radio Network is once again getting behind the Variety Bash as major communications sponsor and media partner.

Heading off last Friday, the team is winding their way from Melbourne to Fraser Island Queensland in three seperate cars raising money for the children’s charity.

“That’s 3224 kilometres and in our car which is a 1976 Statesman HX”, says host of The Morning Rush Jon Vertigan.

“We are spending lots on petrol! Roughly $100 per day.”

The three ACE vehicles have collectively raised over $50,000 for the 2017 Bash by hosting trivia nights, auctions, along with support from clients and listeners.

Car 1089 (3WM) is the ‘Morning Rush’ vehicle.

“We are dressed as the Blues Brothers. Ray Baker, Grant Johnstone and me,” explains Jon.

Car 1494 (2AY) are the ‘Border Bandits‘.

“Their theme is cowboys. CEO Mark Taylor, Brendan O Loughlin and Geoff King.”

Car 1332 (3SH) has on board Paul Gadsden, Russell Parkes, Mark Fletcher and Terry Jennings.

“Their theme is ‘four blokes from Swan Hill.

“Two of the cars we purchased as ex bash cars and the other a converted road car.”

And if driving from Melbourne to Queensland is not tiring enough Jon is also broadcasting his breakfast show.


“We stop each night in a major town so crossing back to the studio is easy through a Tieline ViA codec with a 4Gx wifi hotspot. I have been dialling in to the studio at 7, and crossing to Kate (Meade) and Dave (Drinkell) until 8.30 each morning.

“The broadcasts have been fun because they have been coming from the daily muster breakfast where around 300 people have been dressed in full costume. There has been no shortage of material and stories ‘from the road.”

The team have put in a lot of effort, so why is Variety so important to the network?

“Variety is the Childens charity and ACE is a family network that has seen first hand the effect that Variety has on Australian families. On this bash alone Variety has given out over 160 thousands of dollars worth of grants and specialised equipment which has helped impact the lives of so many kids. And we are only half way.

“To be part of the bash has been an amazing experience. Traveling through tiny towns in the middle of the outback and seeing the smiles on the faces of kids makes it all worthwhile.

“I don’t know of any other charity that can unite groups of Blues Brothers, Bandits, Smurfs, Elvis’s, Sesame Street characters, Flintstones and Where’s Wally’s. Oh, and four blokes from Swan Hill. Long live the Variety Bash.”

 

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