Local identity and third generation citrus farmer, Mark Engall has teamed up with three other locals, Mark Vint, Adam Bell, Dave McMIllian to raise funds for Variety’s kids in need as part of its annual fundraiser, the NSW Variety Bash. With the help of Mark’s business, Engall’s Nursery and suppliers and customers in the nursery industry together with the support of the local community they have raised $18,000 to help Variety kids who will benefit from Bash grants. Over the past five years the team have raised more than $70,000.
Mark Engall originally became involved after being invited along on a Bash by some mates and loved it so much, five years ago he bought his own car, a 1984 Ford Falcon hearse. Given it already sported a flaming make-over, Mark decided to go with the theme and call themselves “Team Inferno”. The following year when Mark enlisted his mates, they decided to grow the theme and this year will be travelling in two vehicles, “Falcon Inferno” and Mark Vint’s “Fairlaine Inferno” both decked out with matching flame decals.
The team love getting out in the country and visiting the rural communities and schools. Mark recalls a fond moment involving another Bash team that happened at a special needs school in Gunnedah a few years back; “We rocked up to the school and were introduced to a young girl who was non-verbal, however, on seeing the Paw Patrol team she began to show such emotion and was so happy to have her favourite characters at her school that she walked around holding their hands for an hour. It was such a beautiful and emotional experience seeing the joy that the Bash had bought to this little girl.”
In addition to contributing to Variety’s massive effort to present schools grants along the way; Mark also drops off more than 50 citrus trees to schools they visit along the way. This year they plan to give each school four trees, two orange and two mandarin. Mark’s vision is to return on a Bash in 10-20 years and see beautiful big citrus trees growing in the schools that he has donated trees to over the years.
2023 Variety NSW Bash route:
Day 1: Sunday 21 May – Dubbo – Eugowra – Cowra (386km)
Day 2: Monday 22 May Greenethorpe – Stockingbingal – Leeton(289 km)
Day 3: Tuesday 23 May – Leeton – Conargo – Euchuca (312 km)
Day 4: Wednesday 24 May – Bunnaloo – Lowesdale – Narrandera (396 km)
Day 5: Thursday 25 May – Narrandera – Murrumburrah – Goulburn (385 km)
Day 6: Friday 26 May – Tirranna – Thirlmere – St Marys (158 km)
Day 7: Saturday 27 May – St Marys – Newcastle Foreshore (234 km)
For more information on the Variety NSW Bash, please visit www.varietybashnsw.org.au/
