THE Swan Valley will host two cowgirl-themed community fundraising events in winter as part of a drive to raise money for children’s charity Variety.

Variety’s National Bash is an event that raises money to help children living with a disability, illness or in disadvantaged circumstances and begins on August 8.

Swan Settler’s Market business owner Elenor Latessa will be taking part in Variety’s National Bash 2025 which is a multi-day fundraiser where themed teams drive vintage cars across regional Australia.

Mrs Latessa said her team would travel from McLaren Vale in South Australia to Kalgoorlie in a Western-themed Ford Falcon named Giddy Up Car Number 13 to honour her late husband Dominic Latessa, who completed 14 Variety bashes before he died in December last year.

“I had never done one with him and we were always gonna do one, but he got sick with lung cancer and passed away,” she said.

To help reach their fundraising goal of $9000, the team is putting on two cowgirl themed events in the Swan Valley.

Swan Settlers Market will hold a country-themed line dancing night on July 18 with the market donating the venue and helping organise the entertainment.

Then on August 1, country music star Amber Lawrence will perform at Valley Social on West Swan Road, supported by local band Cactus Rose.

Mrs Latessa said the Swan Settler’s Market was always close to Mr Latessa’s heart and it was fitting to hold the fundraisers at a place that he was fond of.

“When Dom got sick, there were quite a few outlets where we were selling our stuff, but we had to
pull back on that a bit because a lot of his priority was his treatment and we just had to do what we had to do to give him the best quality of life with the cancer,” she said.

“One thing that was very close to his heart was the Swan Settlers Market and the wonderful people there.

“He would call it his therapy every weekend going there.

“Even once Dom passed away, they were incredible strength for me and helped me a lot.

“They are truly a lovely bunch of people and the market is a nice place for families to go and have a good time, so I’ve continued running (Gingin Jam) there, selling the jams and pickles.

“A lot of people say to us they don’t know where the market is but it’s right in the heart of the Swan Valley so I think it’s gonna be really good having our event there.”

Tickets to the July 18 line dancing event are available via Swan Settlers Market and TryBooking while tickets for the August 1 concert are on sale through TazTix.

Updates can be found at the Giddy Up Car Number 13 Facebook page.

“We’re just trying to help kids in need and have some fun along the way,” Mrs Latessa said.