Tumut Can Assist Solstice swim raises $4,000

Fifty swimmers and one dog braved the Tumut River on the shortest day of the year, helping raise $4046.20 for Can Assist Tumut.

The inaugural Winter Solstice Swim/Stretch was held at the beach at Reflections Caravan Park on Sunday 21 June, bringing swimmers, supporters and volunteers together for a cold-water challenge in support of local cancer patients.

Organiser Donna Martin said she was blown away by the response.

“The sound of people squealing and laughing as they got into the river that some of them were probably terrified of was amazing,” she said.

The event began with a stretch led by Alana Bowles from Bowles Health, followed by breath work from Sarni Walker from Phoenix Spinal Flow, before participants made their way down to the river.

Donna said the swim had given many people their first experience of winter river swimming.

“For people who’ve not experienced swimming in the river in the cold, they were like, ‘wow, we can see why you do it’,” she said.

“I don’t know if we made any converts, but everyone enjoyed the self-challenge of getting in the river because that’s pretty much what it is.

“It’s a personal challenge to decide you’re going to get in there.”

The money raised will go to Can Assist Tumut, which helps local cancer patients and their families with costs including travel, accommodation, pharmacy expenses and specialist appointments.

MC Emma Peacock told the crowd the Tumut branch of Can Assist supported 81 cancer patients in the past financial year, paying out $98,922 in assistance.

“It’s tough enough at the moment paying bills and making sure your mortgage is paid and buying food,” she said.

“It’s even tougher when you throw in all of those expenses on top.

“Every single dollar they raise today is helping a local person who is having a bit of a rough time.”

Speaking on behalf of Can Assist, Debbie Robinson thanked the community for its support and said fundraisers such as the swim helped ease the burden on volunteers.

“It’s really overwhelming, all this is fantastic support, and without the locals supporting us, we couldn’t do what we do and continue to do it,” she said.

“Cancer, unfortunately, has probably touched everybody here.

“The reason I volunteer is because Can Assist helped both my parents, and it just made a big difference.”

Donna said she and the other organisers were still coming to terms with the amount raised.

“The girls and I were messaging each other this morning in the WhatsApp, the wild women who swim, and we’re all blown away,” she said.

“Everyone’s happy. That’s a great outcome.

“Honestly, my mind is blown. I’m so grateful for the community I live in.”

After the success of the first swim, Donna said she would be open to holding another winter solstice event next year.

“The first question everyone said was, should we do the summer solstice?” she said.

“I don’t feel like that’s a huge challenge, because there’s a pretty good chance it’ll be nice and warm on 22 December.

“We need to wait and see, but I would be really open to doing it again on the winter solstice next year for sure.”

tatimes.com.au
June 22, 2026