On Christmas Eve 1928 a group of 11 showmen in the Sheridan Movie Theatre, Pittsburgh  found a baby girl abandoned in the stalls of the theatre.  They decided to foster her and this gave them a  purpose for their fledgling Variety Club.

They named her Catherine Variety Sheridan -                   
Catherine   -         after her given name (pinned to her dress)                   
Variety       -         after their social club                   
Sheridan    -         after their theatre.   

Variety began in South Australia in 1983 as a regional office of Tent 56, New South Wales. 

Variety South Australia received its Charter as Tent 75 in April 1996. In 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003 ,2004 and 2005 South Australia was named as one of the Top 10 Variety Tents in the world. 

In 2005 we were awarded the Silver Heart Award as the second best performing Tent in the world.   

In 2007 we were awarded the Gold Heart Award as the best performing Tent in the world and in 2008 we were awarded the Bronze Heart Award. 

Variety helps hundreds of Children each year to gain mobility, freedom independence and the chance to join in the life of their community. 

Variety provides funding for wheelchairs, leg splints, walking frames, vehicle conversions, car seats and prosthetics. 

Variety brings sunshine to the lives of thousands of children through our Sunshine Coaches.          

Special Schools and other organisations have been the grateful recipients of a fleet of more than 1,000 coaches travelling Australia, transporting children to their daily activities and other special life experiences. 

Variety grants computers, play equipment and excursions to children with special needs, allowing them to enjoy learning and achieving on par with their classmates. 

Variety is an active supporter of special education and disadvantaged schools throughout the State. 

Variety – the children’s charity is dedicated to helping sick, disabled and disadvantaged children under the age of 18. 

We are an UMBRELLA charity to which all children’s organisations and individual children can apply for assistance.

When people give to Variety they are  giving to over 50 children’s charities and organisations in South Australia such as special schools, hospitals and organisations like Canteen, Make A Wish, Novita Children Services, Flinders Children’s Hospital or Royal Flying Doctors Service.  

At Variety we help them ALL.   

"No one stands taller than when stooping to help a child"   

www.varietysa.org.au