From helping one abandoned baby in 1928, Variety has grown into a global children’s charity, transforming children’s lives around the world.
How we began
One afternoon, a group of men were playing cards backstage at a theatre.
It was 1927 in Pittsburgh, USA. Eleven theatre owners and showmen were part of a social group known as the Variety Club.
They heard whimpering from the auditorium of the Sheridan Square Theatre. When they investigated, they discovered a one-month-old baby girl with a desperate note pinned to her clothing:
Please take care of my baby. Her name is Catherine. I can no longer take care of her. I have eight others. My husband is out of work. She was born on Thanksgiving Day. I have always heard of the goodness of show business people and pray to God that you will look after her.
- A heart broken mother
Despite an extensive search, the mother was never found. The men informally adopted the baby, naming her Catherine Variety Sheridan, and went on to support her education and upbringing. This moment prompted the club to begin raising funds for other disadvantaged children, and Variety – the Children’s Charity was born.
From the story of a single child, one act of compassion grew into a global movement, changing the lives of children and communities across the globe.
The History Of Variety
For more than 50 years, Variety has been there for Australian kids when they need it most.
From humble beginnings to nationwide impact, our journey has always been about one thing; giving every child the chance to dream, achieve and thrive.
See how far we’ve come - and how far we’ll go to help every child live without limits.
1927
On October 10 1927 a group of eleven theatre owners and variety performers formed a social club, the Variety Club, based at the William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, USA.
1949
Variety opens the Variety Club of Great Britian. HRH Prince Phillip is a founding member, and lifelong patron for 72 years
1974
TV personality, Paul Hogan, became the first Chair, with another TV personality, Stuat Wagstaff as Deputy Chair.
1975
Variety Australia is founded in Sydney! As a tribute to the show business origins of Variety, offices are referred to as ‘Tents’ and Chairmen are Chief Barkers.
1975
King Charles III (then Prince Charles) became the first Variety Club of Australia patron – it was Prince Charles first Australian patronage; A role he continues to hold today
1980
The Ladies of Variety committee was established Gillian Mapp, wife of Grahame Mapp, one of Variety’s first Board members.
1985
HRH Prince Charles wore a Variety Gold Heart on a tour of Queensland and presented a wheelchair on Variety’s behalf.
1980-1991
Founding Board member, Grahame Mapp, became Chair and the next five years saw more than $2.5 million raised. Variety granted more than one hundred Sunshine Coaches during its first 10 years.
1980
Regional Committee’s were established across Australia – West Australia in 1980 under Bob Maher, Queensland in 1981 under Earl Bailey, Victoria in 1982 under Dulcie Bowling, South Australia in 1984 under Jeremy Cordeaux, with Tasmania and the Northern Territory following in 1991.
1985
Adventurer and philanthropist, Dick Smith, organised and ran the first “Bash.” Leaving the Sydney Opera House steps on June 1 1985, the first Bash raised $250,000 for Variety’s grants to children. The 1985 Bash was the first motoring charity event in Australia.
1991
Variety partners with McDonalds to launch McHappy Day.
1992
The first national “Heart to Heart” Bash run, with participants from all states converging on Uluru for a national celebration.
2004
Worldwide, the Variety Clubs adopt the name Variety – the Children’s Charity to better reflect the organisations work.
2019
Variety delivers its 1300th Sunshine Coach.
2024
Variety Tasmania achieved a significant milestone by providing over $500,000 in grants, marking the largest amount ever contributed in our 34-year history – and we’re not stopping there!
2025
Variety celebrates 50 years, having raised more than $700 million to assist more than 2 million kids and families in Australia. Variety has granted millions of goods and services to children who are sick, experiencing disadvantage or living with a disability in the last decade alone.
Our Impact
Help when it’s needed most
The enormous generosity of the Variety community has changed the lives of thousands of Australian children in need for over 50 years.
Together we’ve created a place where children and their families can turn to for help when times are tough and when there is nowhere else to turn.
