The crew of four local men, Robert Dwyer, Robert Plante, Wayne Poll and John Sykes departed Laurieton on Friday ready for the Bash start in Baulkham Hills, Sydney on Saturday.

The four friends have been working hard to raise funds for Variety The Children’s Charity, to take part in the Bash with over 100 other cars, all pre 1975 models.

The fifth member of the team, a 1975 Mercedes Benz named Wanda the Wine Wench, looked the part with sponsor signs and pirate flags setting the theme.

“We decided on our pirate theme early in our preparations,” said crew member Wayne Poll.

“The Bash finishes at Buccaneer Rock, Broome and our research revealed that explorer William Dampier landed a chest of pirate pieces there and legend has it that his ghost can be seen swinging a lantern still looking for that treasure.”

The crew dressed as pirates during local fundraising events and selling raffle tickets, and will continue the theme during their 5,500km journey.

The Bash will take in several communities through central Australia on their winding 12-day trip including Charleville, Mt Isa, Kununarra and Derby.

A stop Robert Dwyer is looking forward to is Mt Isa.

“I have a cousin who lives and works there and her school is putting on breakfast for the 400 or so Bash participants,” Mr Dwyer said.

“It will be great to see the faces of the kids in the community when Variety unveils a new $30,000 playground for the community. Things like these are part of what the charity does, donating equipment to sick or disadvantaged children.”

John Sykes said he is most looking forward to the adventure and “educating city folk about the beauty of our county, getting dust on the vocal chords and washing it off at the end of the day with a cold beer.”

Robert Plante said sharing this experience in the company of a few mates was his greatest pleasure and “I’m looking forward to a swim in the Indian Ocean.”

The Laurieton Crew thanked their sponsors and the generosity of the Camden Haven community in supporting their venture.