A FORMER teacher from Cobar Public School is set to return to the town close to 20 years after his departure, bringing with him a convoy of over 100 vehicles and equipment for the local rugby club to attract more junior members.

Mat Freeman, now the principal of Waratah Public School in Newcastle, is one of more than 250 people taking part in the 30th Variety NSW Bash.

The Variety Bash is an event which travels across rural NSW every year with the intention of bringing thousands in tourism revenue, gifts for remote schools, plus a bit of fun and excitement to small remote communities.

The tour will set off from Newcastle this Sunday (15 May), with the communities of Quambone, Cobar and Condobolin all included on the seven-day schedule.

Regional Motoring Events Manager at Variety - the Children's Charity Victor Sheil, who plans the route every year, said he tries to never plan the same route twice.

"Every year, we try to go to a different town - we change the variety to keep people engaged," Mr Sheil said.

"In the past, we have been to places like Coonamble, Lightning Ridge, Cobar and Quambone before but never on the same circuit."

This year, the tour celebrates its 30th anniversary, with celebrations planned at several locations along the way.

Mr Sheil said while there are still some who have been part of the bash since the beginning, the tour is always welcoming new participants.

"To participate, your car has to be over 30 and not modified - this isn't a race or rally, it's just about exploring and socialising with friends you didn't have when you started," he said.

"We probably have 60-70 new entrants this year but we'll all be the best of friends by the time they get home."

A relatively new addition to the Variety Bash is the 'Kings in the Crown' team, made up of Paul Redwin, Mat Freeman, Tony Tawse and Kenny Heatrick, four old primary school friends who will be driving in a 1971 Toyota Crown.

Mr Freeman said this will be the crew's second tour - 2021 was their first after the 2020 Bash was cancelled due to COVID - but he also remembers seeing the Variety Bash first hand earlier in his career.

"My wife and I moved out to Cobar at the start of 1999 and were there for just over four years - I remember it being one of the loveliest places and felt so welcome," Mr Freeman said.

"We would have had the Variety team there in their earliest days - I remember they came out to Cobar, we put on a breakfast for them breakfast and they donated a small bus for us to use.

"Having that bus meant we could easily take kids from our schools on sporting trips to places like Bourke, Wilcannia and Dubbo which can otherwise be such a long journey for families. It was a huge help."

When he found out Cobar was going to be a leg on the 2022 Variety Bash, Mr Freeman said he was very excited to be returning after so many years.

Throughout the Bash, participants visit local towns, stopping into schools and organisations to visit the kids.

Bashers get to see the direct impact of their fundraising efforts along the way, with a range of educational, health and mobility equipment provided to local schools and organisations enroute.

During this trip the Cobar Rugby Club will be receiving a gift of new tackle bags and equipment aiming to try and attract and accommodate more junior members.

Mr Freeman said he was still looking forward to walking down memory lane when the tour passes through Cobar on Tuesday 17 May.

"I think a few of my old colleagues are still working at the high school, so it'll be good to try and see them," he said.

"Some of the people I worked with, their families have been there for generations so I'm certain if I walked into the golf club, someone I know will be there - it'll be great.

"I was also deputy captain of the local fire brigade, so it will be good to see the old station."

Catch up with the Bashers when they stopover in the western plains area - you'll find them tomorrow at Quambone Public School (departing between 1 and 2pm), overnighting in Cobar then departing Tom Knight Oval on Tuesday 17 May between 8.30am and 9.30am; and later on Tuesday they'll be leaving from Gum Bend Lake at Condobolin between 1 and 2pm.

If you're outside the Western Plains area, find the schedule here and feel free to donate while you're there.