August 24th, 2026Renee giving it a bash for children’s charity
Running from August 18-27, the “Wild Wild West” route will cover more than 5200 kilometres, taking entrants through regional towns, outback landscapes and remote communities before reaching the spectacular Ningaloo Coast. Along the way, participants will raise vital funds to support children who are sick, experiencing disadvantage or living with disability.
All vehicles must be at least 25 years old and Team Wonderland is in a 1985 Mercedes Benz 280SE sedan. Renee, 45, dresses as the Cheshire Cat, Elizabeth Porter is Alice and Liz Barby is the Queen of Hearts.
Elizabeth is the partner of Renee’s cousin Paul, from PJ Harvesting, one of the major sponsors who also does a lot of the work on the car.
Renee’s mother, Anneke Pedretti said it was very much a family affair with her son Marcus selling his organically grown vegetables to help raise money for the trip along with the donation of four nights’ accommodation at the family’s retreat at Blampied for auctions along the way.
“The team is hoping to reach $20,000 and have raised $18,000 so far – it all goes towards their goal.”
Anneke said this was Renee’s second year with the event after her illness with breast cancer a few years earlier.
Unable to work while receiving chemotherapy she started walking for Peter Mac to raise money and also to support others.
This slowly turned into jogging and eventually she found a love for running marathons. This year she decided to run as the Cheshire Cat to raise money for the Variety Bash.
“Renee was getting herself better but also helping other people who were going through difficult times. And then my husband, David, passed away last year with Parkinson’s and dementia. That was a long journey for us and with the link between Parkinsons and chemicals, my son started growing his own vegetables organically under MP Farming.
“When Renee got involved in the Variety Bash, he decided to donate potatoes for sale at markets, and we all started thinking how can we help as a family.”
Anneke said the car made a pit stop at their Blampied home last Monday on the way to the start at Halls Gap on Tuesday.
“In the last few weeks before they head off they go around to their sponsors to thank them and do a photo shoot. It was great fun. And we love the Variety Bash because it’s for all families with children who are needing extra help.”
Anneke, who came from Holland with her family when she was 12, said she and David found the Blampied property more than 30 years ago after living in Melbourne.
“It was farmland and we just fell in love with it, and the girls had the horses, so we moved up here. David had already worked in the potato industry all his life, selling machines, and then he moved up here and started his own business, still with potatoes. He knew all the farmers.”
Anneke says they realised the move was meant to be in the early days when they stopped for lunch at the Swiss Mountain Hotel. “David saw a photo of the Eganstown Football Club and there were his dad and uncle in the team. We knew there were a lot of Pedrettis in Hepburn but we didn’t really see the connection with Blampied until then.”
Since its inception in 1985, the Variety Bash has raised millions of dollars for children’s programs across Australia. This year will be Team Wonderland’s 8th event in their 1985 Mercedes Benz 280SE sedan.
Variety – the Children’s Charity supports children who are sick, experiencing disadvantage or living with disability by providing practical equipment, essential services and life-changing experiences.
Links: www.facebook.com/WonderlandCar2278VarietyBash
www.instagram.com/wonderland2278/
www.fundraise.variety.org.au/fundraisers/2278wonderland
Above: from left, Renee, Elizabeth and Liz, inset: Anneke & Renee
Words: Donna Kelly | Images: Contributed
