TWO young women from the peninsula are preparing to make history as they become the first adults with disability to take part in the Variety Bash.
Natalie Palancian and Amelia Nichols are both 21 and have mobility issues that stem from cerebral palsy. They met at school and have remained close friends since.
The girls decided they will be partaking in the 10-day, 5,500km road trip across Australia to help raise money for Variety, a charity that supports children living with disability, disadvantage, or illness.
The Bash begins on 18 August from Halls Gap, with participants going through outback tracks, bush, and remote communities before arriving at Exmouth on 27 August.
The girls will be joined by Stacey Matheson, a nurse from their high school, and her daughter Alice. Natalie’s parents, Mel and Josie Palacian, will be accompanying them in a support car.
Josie said no adults with disability had ever partaken in the charity event.
“They think we’re absolutely nuts for wanting to do it,” said Josie.
“Which makes us all the more eager to prove to them that we can do it.”
Josie said there was lots of planning and negotiation involved as organisers had never accommodated participants with mobility needs.
“We don’t take no for an answer,” said Josie.
“We’re trying to make disabilities normal and take these girls on the road and show all these people that it can be achieved.”
The girls will travel in a specially modified Kia fitted with a wheelchair ramp. The vehicle does fall just short of the Variety Bash’s usual 25-year minimum age requirement, but an exception has been granted to allow Natalie and Amelia to partake.
“I love what Variety does,” said Josie.
“And I think given nobody with a disability has done this big thing, it’s important for them to practice what they preach.”
Josie said their participation wouldn’t be possible without the help of their sponsors: Gippsland Finance, Ed Ewers Architecture, Exotic Graphix, Yokohama, Tyres and More-Pakenham, Peninsula Uniforms and Embroidery, and Pedders Suspension.
Sheen and Ringwood Mazda have provided them with a second car, which will allow the rest of the team to participate as well.
Josie said the journey will be difficult as travelling hundreds of kilometres a day means relying on roadside facilities that may not be accessible, but they refuse to let that stop them.
“We kind of go, ‘Give us the challenge and we’re going to make it work’,” said Josie.
Josie said both girls lead active and fulfilling lives; volunteering, working, participating in therapy, and maintaining social lives.
She said she hopes the team’s participation will help change the way people think about disability and inclusion.
“We want to teach people disabilities aren’t a bad thing,” said Josie.
“We’ve really tried to break a lot of boundaries and that’s what we do.”
The team has already raised over $10,000 for Variety, with all donations going towards equipment, therapy, and programs for children living with disability, disadvantage, or illness.
Josie said every contribution means a lot to everyone participating.
“We’re very grateful that they see the vision behind what the girls are trying to do,” said Josie.
You can help support the girls and their journey at: fundraise.variety.org.au/fundraisers/Car26MilsonWheels.
First published in the Mornington News – 4 August 2026
