Marilyns Make a Splash as Iconic SA Fundraiser Heads to the Regions
- Jess Dempster
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
In front of a crowd of soggy spectators, over 110 Marilyns braved an early autumn downpour to be a part of the inaugural South East Marilyn Jetty Swim.
The sea of platinum wigs, heart sunglasses and puckered red lips descended on the Naracoorte Swimming Lake Sunday March 1, marking a special milestone for the event by being the first of its kind hosted in regional SA.
The swim drew in a massive crowd, despite the dreary weather, with 120 swimmers taking to the water, and over $25,000 raised for Cancer Council SA.
Speaking with FlowFM’s Jessica Dempster on Country Viewpoint, Marilyn Jetty Swim founder Sarah Tinney said seeing her beloved event expand into regional areas was an emotional moment.
“I think I cried the whole time when we were in the water,” Sarah said.
“It felt even more emotional than the swims we have at Brighton because it shows the power of this thing that’s been born and that it’s helping other people.”
Sarah said the enthusiasm from the Limestone Coast community exceeded expectations.
“I didn’t know what to expect, but when I arrived and saw the operation they had running, I was amazed,” she said.
“It wasn’t a downplayed version of the Brighton swim at all. They had everything organised, people looked incredible and the energy behind it was fantastic.”
The inspiration for the Marilyn Swim was first sparked in 2013, when Sarah was encouraged by a friend to take part in the Brighton Jetty Classic as a way to raise money for Cancer Council SA.
“Someone said to me, ‘do something iconic and American for your mum — why don’t you swim as Marilyn Monroe?’,” Sarah explained.
For years prior to that moment, Sarah had been dedicated to hosting and participating in fundraising events, raising money for cancer research and associated resources like Cancer Council SA, making good on a promise she made to her mum, who sadly lost her life to the disease.
"All of this originated from a very difficult time in my life," she said.
“In a three-year span I lost my dad, my mum collapsed with stage four cancer, and shortly after that I lost my son."
“It was a very challenging time. Something like that can break you, but it can also make you.”
Following that initial swim, the first official Marilyn Jetty Swim took place in Brighton in 2014. Since then, the event has grown into a major annual fundraiser, with its regional expansion meaning a great deal to Sarah.
“I grew up on a farm in regional Michigan, so seeing something that started because of my mum’s cancer diagnosis ripple all the way across the ocean to regional Australia is pretty amazing.”
Following the success of the Limestone Coast swim, the Riverland is the next region preparing to get fabulous for a good cause.
The Riverland Marilyn Swim will be taking place this Sunday March 22 at the Hayden Stoeckel Swimming Pool in Berri, and Sarah is equally as excited for it as she was for the South East Swim.
"I wouldn't miss it," she said when asked if she would be heading over to the Riverland to participate.
The day will feature a Marilyn-only swim at 1:30pm, a meet-and-greet with Marianna the Mermaid from 12:30–1:10pm, speeches at 1pm, casual pool access for all from 2pm, a sausage sizzle and pool canteen.
Last minute registrations are welcome, with Marilyn kits delivered to the pool on the day, and all proceeds from the event going towards Cancer Council SA’s prevention, research and support programs. More information and registration links can be found at themarilyns.org.
Looking ahead, Sarah said she believes and hopes the swims will continue spreading to other regional communities.
“Seeing how well the South East and Riverland swims have gone, and how much the communties have embraced them, I think there’s no stopping it,” she said.
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