Mahogany Creek local Ron Bywaters, 91, will return to the 2026 Variety WA Bash — called Back Trackin’ — which kicks off in Kalgoorlie on September 14, arriving in Fremantle on September 19.
He’ll be taking part in a historic Chamberlain 9G tractor — 37 years after he took part in the very first Variety WA Bash in 1989, also in a Chamberlain 9G.
This year’s Back Trackin’ bash will reverse the original 1989 route that started in Fremantle and finished in Kalgoorlie — hence the name.
Looking back, Ron says the first bash was a “resounding success”.
After that, he did another six bashes, each in a Humber Super Snipe; then, in 2018, got back into a 9G.
This will be his ninth bash.
In between, he teamed up with Peter Hackett, a long-serving official for the charity, widely known as the “radio base” because he provided vital communications for bash participants, who must connect with the radio team every hour to ensure they are on track.
Ron has entered this year’s children’s charity fundraiser with mates Hugh Campbell, who founded the Chamberlain 9G Tractor Club of WA, Les Hammer and Jeff Smith, both also club members.
Ron worked as a sales cadet at Chamberlain Industries in 1957 and was one of the first four drivers to take part in an Australian rally in the 9G built that year. It was called Tail End Charlie — originally a World War II military slang term for the rear gunner in a bomber aircraft — and back then, it could do a staggering 100km/h. It’s housed at the Tractor Museum of WA in Whiteman Park.
“In the first Variety bash event with the tractor, no one knew how fast it would go,” he laughs, adding it didn’t, however, reach its maximum speed because there was no need. “I convinced the officials on the first day — and said to them — this is just a tractor, can we go a bit earlier. They let us go half an hour earlier and it took them till lunchtime to catch us. They haven’t fallen for that trick since.”
He went on to organise many expeditions for this 9G model, among other things, sending 14 tractors to New Zealand, escorting four to America and driving one across America.
“As well as taking part in the Variety Bash, we can tow anyone if they need it, so we are a support crew for the event at the same time, if needed,” he says.
“We’ve donated a lot of money to Variety WA over the years, just by entering the Variety Bash events, and I’ve also provided my services in a voluntary capacity, working with Peter over the radio for several years. All the time and donations are worth it for such a worthwhile children’s charity.”
The historic tractor he’s driving this time is owned by retired farmer and vintage machinery collector Dick Garnett, who will donate it to the John Deere & Chamberlain Tractor Museum in Carnamah, about 300km north of Perth, with the Chamberlain 9G Tractor Club of WA having the rights to continue to use it for any fundraising and charity events in the future.
Entries have closed for this this year’s Variety WA Bash, with 33 cars, 12 support vehicles and one baggage truck taking part, but you can still donate at varietywabash.com.au/donate.
Finish line
+ Cars will arrive at Coast Port Beach about 2pm and drive to Carnaby’s Cafe, Bar and Restaurant in East Fremantle
+ The finish is at the entrance to the carpark of East Fremantle Bowls Club, about 2:30pm, on September 19
+ Everyone is welcome to come down to the carpark and wave all the cars in.
