In 2000, World Record breaking marathon swimmer Tammy van Wisse spent 3.5 months freestyling the full length of the Murray River from its source in Corryong to the Southern Ocean.

For Tammy, the Murray represented more than a just personal and physical challenge. An ardent campaigner on environmental issues, Tammy was dismayed to learn of the deterioration of this once mighty river.

Although this 2438 kilometre journey was one of Tammy’s toughest challenges, it was also one of the most personally rewarding. Her heroic quest captured the imagination of the Australian public and also generated over seven million dollars worth of publicity for the environmental dangers threatening the Murray such as poor environmental flows, salinity and toxic algal bloom.

Throughout the swim, the communities lining this great waterway warmly embraced Tammy and her volunteer crew. From gifts of food to cheer squads supporting her from the river banks, the communities celebrated her goal to bring the threat to their environment to a wider audience.

Tammy completed her swim on 18^th February 2001 but her goal to enlist support for reversing the massive environmental problems facing the Murray continues today. She was named Australia’s first Salinity & Water Quality Ambassador by Environment Australia, and more recently awarded a Centenary Medalfor her services to the community through lifesaving, youth leadership and the environment.

Tammy is a passionate speaker on the environment and water quality issues, sharing her unique experience from the perspective of literally being immersed in it.

Tammy has been recognised for her passion & commitment to the environment with the following awards:

• Tammy was presented with a State Medallion by the Premier of South Australia to acknowledge her great character, bold spirit and environmental concerns throughout her 2438km swim of the River Murray, January 2001.
  
• She was given the Commonwealth Day Award for Outstanding Achievement of National and International Significance for her commendable commitment to focusing attention on the Australian environment and the particular needs of the Murray-Darling Basin. The Commonwealth Day Council of NSW and the Australian Youth Trust presented this award.
  
• In recognition of her immense contribution to saving Australia’s greatest river system, Tammy was appointed as an official “Save the Murray” ambassador by Sth Australian Premier, John Olsen.
  
• In celebration of her record-breaking swim of the Murray, Tammy was given a State Reception by the Honourable Steve Bracks, Premier of Victoria.
  
• Australian Geographic Magazine named Tammy “Adventurer of the Year” for 2001 and she was presented with a medallion by Adventurer Dick Smith with the inscription - “By encouraging adventure we keep alive a vital spirit of Australia.”
  
• Tammy has been named official ambassador of the “Murray River Rescue” program. In conjunction with the Scouts and Greenfleet, she continues to work hard out of the water to raise much needed funds to plant 10 million trees over the next 10 years to help combat salination.
  
• Given an Outstanding Commendation, Environment Category, SA Great Awards, 2001.
  
• Tourism Murray River has also named Tammy as one of their ambassadors to help raise the profile of the Murray River both nationally and internationally.

If you are interested in having Tammy speak at your business function, school assembly, sportsmen's night or function, please contact:speaker@tammyvanwisse.com