Marilyn Jetty Swim founder Sarah Tinney nominated for Australian of the Year Local Hero Award

Congratulations to Marilyn Jetty Swim founder Sarah Tinney is one of four nominees for an Australian of the Year Local Hero award in South Australia for her role in working to achieve a cancer free future.

Sarah established the now iconic 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 more than 300 women (and a few men!) swimming or paddling 400 metres around the Brighton Jetty—all dressed head to toe as ‘50s icon Marilyn Monroe.

2022 will be the ninth year of the Marilyn Jetty Swim, with the event raising over $670,000 for South Australians impacted by cancer. 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 some of the ladies at the Brighton Surf Club.

“They knew I was passionate about supporting Cancer Council SA and suggested I take part in the swim all in the name of fundraising,” she said.

“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!”

A handshake sealed the deal and the Marilyn Jetty Swim was born.

“What started as a simple, fun idea with the local surf club to make a difference has become something that I’m incredibly proud of, led by a sisterhood of inspirational women from all walks of life,” she said.

Sarah was one of four South Australians nominated for the Local Hero Award, with the winner announced last night at a ceremony at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Cancer Council SA Chief Executive Kerry Rowlands congratulated Sarah on being nominated for the prestigious award

“As a not for profit, we rely on the incredible generosity of the South Australian community to fund our vital work and fundraisers like Sarah play a huge role in supporting us to achieve our vision of a cancer free future.”

“This nomination is a testament to Sarah’s dedication and commitment and on behalf of Cancer Council SA, and the 28 South Australians diagnosed with cancer every day, I’d like to congratulate Sarah on this outstanding achievement.”

The 2022 Marilyn Jetty Swim will be held on Sunday 6 February as a part of the Channel 7 Brighton Jetty Classic.

With expressions of interest now open, Sarah urged South Australians to take on the challenge and join the Marilyn Jetty Swim community in 2022.

“The Marilyn Jetty Swim is in no way a one woman show—its success lies in the community of bold, fabulous people who come down every year and take part.”

“Dressing head to toe as everyone’s favourite 50s icon is one of the most empowering ways you can make a difference to South Australians impacted by cancer,” she said.

“Almost everyone knows someone impacted by cancer, and the swim is a way for us to turn something negative into something incredibly positive and raise funds that will change the future of cancer,” she said.

For more information or on the Marilyn Jetty Swim visit the Marilyn Jetty Swim website. To register your interest for the 2022 event email themarilyns@cancersa.org.au.