Marilyn Jetty Swim founder Sarah Tinney honoured with Medal of the Order of Australia

Marilyn Jetty Swim founder Sarah Tinney has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia, announced today as part of the Australia Day 2025 Honours List, for her role in raising funds and awareness for those impacted by cancer through this iconic South Australian event.

This comes just one week before a record-breaking 766 South Australians take part in the 12th annual Marilyn Jetty Swim on Sunday 2 February at Brighton Jetty.

Sarah established the Marilyn Jetty Swim in 2014 in memory of her mum, Esther who passed away from uterine cancer in 2006.

The event, held as a part of the Channel 7 Brighton Jetty Classic, sees hundreds of South Aussies swimming or paddling 400 metres around the Brighton Jetty—all dressed head to toe as ‘50s icon Marilyn Monroe.

Over the past 12 years, the event has raised a huge $1.5 million towards Cancer Council SA’s life-saving prevention, research and support services. In 2020, the event also won the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Marilyn Monroe in one location.

Sarah said that the idea for the Marilyn Jetty Swim started as a light-hearted conversation with the Brighton Surf Club.

“They knew I was passionate about supporting Cancer Council SA and suggested I take part in the annual Brighton Jetty Classic all in the name of fundraising. I’m not athletic but agreed to do a swim out to the jetty with a floaty on two conditions—I’d make it comical by dressing like one of the most iconic women to grace our screens and I’d be joined by lookalike decoys so people couldn’t identify me swimming,” Sarah said.

“I am so proud that each year the event keeps growing. Our first year, in 2014, we had 50 Marilyns participating and raising over $26,500. Now we have over 750 amazing Marilyns aiming to raise $400,000 in 2025! The event continues to exceed all my own expectations, and we’re always aiming higher every year.”

“With every fundraising event I’ve done, particularly the Marilyn Jetty Swim, my mum is in my heart. After she passed away in 2007, supporting people impacted by cancer became even more important to me.

“I know I’m doing something to help end cancer in her honour and it’s given me incredible empowerment to turn my grief into action. And I’m so lucky to be doing it surrounded by amazing people.”

You can read more of Sarah’s story and support the Marilyn Jetty Swim at themarilyns.org