Big Red Bash: Desert turns blue in bid for new world record
Thousands of Big Red Bash revellers have turned blue to break an unusual world record and raise money to support diabetes research.
QLD News
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Blue-haired Big Red Bash revellers cheered and chanted while singing I Am Australian as they attempted a break the record set at last year’s festival: the largest human image of a country.
While last year’s record remains, today 3557 participants set a new mark: the largest human image of people singing while in the shape of a country.
In doing so, they raised more $73,355 for JDRF, which supports research into type 1 diabetes.
Blue is the international colour for diabetes action and awareness.
With Tuesday’s minimum temperature hovering just above 3C, one gutsy attendee rocked up in colourful budgie smugglers and a hat, while others were covered in stretchy blue material from head to toe.
When asked why they wanted to be part of the world record, one camper said he had always wanted to go to Cape York, taking position in the human map where he thought Cape York would be.
But it’s not just the fun attracting people, with another man saying he had type 2 diabetes and was happy to support anything that could help find a cure for the condition.
JDRF community fundraising manager Kristyn Ranson thanked all the campers for doing their part to help find a cure.
“Everything you are doing will make a huge difference,” she said.
She told The Courier-Mail that after her daughter Jess was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at only 15 she started fundraising for JDRF, raising more than $130,000 over the past 13 years.
“I realised I didn’t have the skills to find the cure but what I can do is raise money to try to find the cure,” she said.
“I’m more than happy to do myself out of a job.”
A MickeyBlu generator was donated as a prize for one lucky camper participating in the world record attempt.
Dr Andrew Grimes was the suitably dressed winner in his blue scrubs, and his partner Gigi Sutton was over the moon.
“I was going 2, 1, 6 … 7,” she said after realising Dr Grimes was the winner.
“Our niece has Type 1 diabetes and she just had her first baby at full term. We saw this and thought it was just perfect. We brought four tickets and got two spare.”
Dr Grimes said the research conducted by JDRF was so important.
“It’s a terrible disease for someone to have their whole life,” he said.
Redlands campers Rachel Alcorn and Delia Paxman spent 34 hours on a bus, including a six-hour detour, to arrive in time for the Bash.
“We hopped on the bus Sunday at 5.30am. The bus stopped every few hours and we were able to sleep on the bus,” they said.
After arriving onsite the bus spent 45 minutes stuck in mud, requiring the help of a truck and a small forklift to move it.
“The people on the bus have been great. We love Aussie music and it’s just spectacular so far,” they said.
Wearing three layers of clothes, the friends made the early morning hike up the sand dune, describing the cold as “worth it”.
Kym Benson, Tony Holloway, Leasa Harte, Justin Henderson and Paul Fuller also said the climb was worth it.
“After getting out of nice warm caravan, the cold hit us in the face but once sun comes up it’s bloody beautiful,” they said.
“It’s a nice way to kick it off. Good to see so many people out there.”
Meanwhile, bagpipe enthusiast and member of the Bundaberg Caledonian Pipe Band Steve Mallan took up the mantle of playing the bagpipes at sunrise.
“I thought someone better do it so I thought why not?” he said.
“The cold definitely affected my ability to play.”
Mr Mallon said his performance wouldn’t be possible without his dog Scooby, who is tasked with “singing” along with his music. He said he would be up at dawn once again on Wednesday to deliver another mesmerising early morning wakeup for campers.
Camper Carolyn Stewart is part of a glamping revolution, camping with a cocktail every day of the trip.
“I was a foodie and thought friends might get sick of it so it’s camping but a bit more glamorous,” she said.
“We have planned a different cocktail for every day of the trip. Today is called ‘Big Blue Day’, Equal parts gin peach snaps and blue curacao, half a part of lime juice, and a little piece of lime.”
Ms Stewart said their van broke down towards the end of their journey to the campsite.
“The people we were camping with were resourceful. We wouldn’t be here without them,” she said.
“A guy on a flatbed truck was able to help organise tents and a stretcher which helped so much.”
On Tuesday night the Simpson Desert will come officially come alive with artists Diesel, Mi-Sex and Baby Animals rocking the stage, before a second performance from Furnace and the Fundamentals finishes the night.
On Wednesday Bashers are set to “flaunt their fabulousness” while racing down the dusty Big Red Sand Dune for the Bashville Drags before appearing on stage for an outback fashion show.
Originally published as Big Red Bash: Desert turns blue in bid for new world record
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