Another Incredible Year for the SA Variety Bash
The 2026 SA Variety Bash has wrapped up after another extraordinary journey through regional South Australia.
This year's event, known as Pivot to Pirie, travelled approximately 2,340 kilometres through regional communities before reaching Port Pirie.
Most importantly, the 2026 Bash raised an incredible $2.055 million for Variety SA, while more than $480,000 in grants were delivered to children, families and communities along the route. Read the 2026 SA Variety Bash results .
Behind those numbers are real people and real stories — children gaining access to equipment, opportunities and support that can make an enormous difference to their everyday lives.
Darren's Long-Standing Commitment to Variety
Many QuickMerch customers know Darren Greatrex through his work in promotional merchandise, branded apparel, printing and business branding.
What they may not know is just how much of his time outside the business has been dedicated to Variety – the Children's Charity SA.
Darren has been involved with Variety for around two decades, participating in and helping organise events that raise funds to support South Australian children and families.
That commitment continued in 2026, with Darren and Tony's OV1 crew recognised among the Variety Bash's Gold Heart fundraising recipients. See the 2026 fundraising recognition .
His commitment has extended well beyond simply taking part. Over the years, Darren has taken on major responsibilities within the SA Variety Bash, helping bring together entrants, volunteers, sponsors and communities for one of South Australia's best-known charity motoring events.
When the Plan Changes, You Find Another Way
The 2026 Bash also demonstrated something Darren knows well from business: sometimes the original plan simply isn't possible.
Flooding across parts of the planned route forced organisers to rethink the journey. Rather than allowing the challenge to stop the event, the team adapted and created Pivot to Pirie, keeping the Bash moving through regional South Australia. Variety SA announced the updated 2026 Bash route here .
It required planning, communication, flexibility and a willingness to find another solution.
For us at QuickMerch, that philosophy feels familiar.
When a customer has a tight deadline, a product becomes unavailable, artwork needs adjusting or a campaign suddenly changes direction, our job is to work out what we can do.
That's an important part of the Quick in QuickMerch.
More Than a Business Owner
Darren's continued involvement with Variety is something the QuickMerch team is incredibly proud of.
Running a business takes time. Helping organise and support an event of this scale takes even more.
Yet the reason people continue returning to the Bash isn't simply the drive itself. It's seeing where the fundraising goes, meeting communities along the route and witnessing the difference that collective effort can make.
Business With Purpose
QuickMerch exists to help Australian organisations get their brands noticed through promotional products, branded apparel, signage, print and local decoration.
But behind every business are people.
We believe the values people demonstrate outside the workplace matter just as much as those they bring into it.
Act quickly when somebody needs help.
Find solutions when circumstances change.
Support your community.
And follow through on what you promise.
Congratulations to everyone who contributed to the 2026 SA Variety Bash — the entrants, volunteers, sponsors, organisers, supporters and communities who welcomed the Bash along the way.
And from all of us at QuickMerch, we're proud of Darren's continued commitment to helping make a difference for South Australian kids.
