From Helping One Abandoned Baby In 1927, A Global Children’s Charity Grew, Transforming Children’s Lives Around The World
How Variety began
One afternoon, a group of men were playing cards backstage at a theatre.
The year was 1927, the town was Pittsburgh, USA, and the 11 theatre owners and showmen were part of a social group, calling themselves 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 to whom her mother had pinned a desperate note:
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.
Signed, a heart broken mother.
Despite an extensive search, the mother was never found. The men informally adopted the baby and named her Catherine Variety Sheridan. They went on to pay for Catherine’s education and upbringing. This prompted the club to start raising funds for other disadvantaged children and Variety – the Children’s Charity was born.
Michael, Catherine’s son, still works with Variety in Texas – a living connection to our founding story.
From the inspiration and motivation of a single child, one of the world’s greatest children’s charities grew – all across the globe.
For More Than 50 Years, Variety Has Been There For Australian Kids When They Need Us 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.
1974
Following our show business tradition, TV personality Paul Hogan became Variety’s first Chair in Australia, with another TV personality, Stuart Wagstaff, as Deputy Chair.
1975
Variety Australia was founded in Sydney. In tribute to its showbusiness origins, offices are known as ‘Tents’, and Chairs proudly carry the title ‘Chief Barker’.
1975
King Charles III (then Prince Charles) became the first Variety Australia patron, a role he continues to hold today.
1980
The Ladies of Variety committee was established by Gillian Mapp, wife of Grahame Mapp, one of Variety Australia’s first Board members.
1980-1991
Regional committees 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 Cordeuux, with Tasmania and the Northern Territory following in 1991.
1980-1991
Founding Board member, Grahame Mapp, became Chair and the next five years saw more than $2.5 million raised for children in need. Variety granted more than 100 Sunshine Coaches during the next 10 years.
1985
Adventurer and philanthropist Dick Smith invited a group of mates on what he calls “a drive in the bush”, leaving the Sydney Opera House steps on 1 June, and raising $250,000 for Variety. That journey becomes the very first Variety Bash, growing into one of Australia’s most iconic and successful charity motoring events.
1992
The first national “Heart to Heart” Bash is run, with participants from all corners of Australia converging on Uluru for a national celebration.
1995
Variety Australia begins establishing independent Tents across every state and territory. Variety Queensland was officially established on 31 December 1995.
2004
Worldwide, the Variety Clubs adopt the name Variety – the Children’s Charity to better reflect the organisation’s work.
2025
Variety celebrates its 50th anniversary in Australia, having raised more than $700 million during the last 50 years, assisting more than two million Australian children. Grants valued at more than $110 million have been approved in the past 10 years alone.
Our Impact
Together We Can Impact Young Lives In Ways You May Never Have Imagined
For over 50 years, the incredible generosity of the Variety community has helped thousands of Australian children in need. Together, we’ve built a place families can turn to when times are tough – a place that brings hope, support and the chance for every child to thrive.
Thanks to our supporters, kids can move, learn, communicate, and take part in everyday life with confidence and independence. We work hand in hand with donors, partners, sponsors and volunteers to make sure help reaches the families who need it most.
