Mazza's

Marilyne Jackson

 Marilyne Jackson was born in Hobart. When Marilyne was 16 she began ballroom dancing competitively. In a short amount of time she became very successful and was winning all of her graded events within Tasmania. Not satisfied with this Marilyne and her partner began travelling interstate to compete and in 1984 were successful in winning their grade at the Australian Ballroom Dancing championships.

 In 1986 Marilyne and her partner moved to Melbourne to further her competitive dancing career. Where she worked sewing high fashion garment for Jag, Sally Browne etc. During this time Marilyne made her way to the very top of competitive dancing in Australia. Some of the titles won along the way  are the Commonwealth championships, Southern Cross championships, Melbourne Cup championships, the East Coast classic ( Sydney), the La Classique Championships, (South Australia), And Australasian Championships. In 1988 Marilyne received the Western Region Games community Achievement Award for sportsmanship. Marilyne also appeared on the ABC Tv show ‘That’s Danc’n and won.

       Career high lights would be attaining 2nd place at the Australian championships open to all Amateurs New vogue in1989. And in 1990 winning the Australian Professional Rising Star new Vogue and runners up in the standard.
  Marilyne retired from competitive dancing in 1991 and continued her career by coaching social and competitive couples at several Melbourne dance studios. As well as teaching Marilyne was a Dance dressmaker to many high level dancers.
         In 1997 Marilyne returned to Tasmania and began teaching and promoting ballroom dancing for all. She was elected to the Australian dancing board of control where she served up until 2000.  In May 2004 Marilyne was involved in a serious car accident and as a result sustained a severely broken femur and lost her left leg below the knee. She spent four days in intensive care and over six week period had five major operation aimed at repairing and closing the left leg. In all Marilyne spent 12 weeks in hospital rehabilitating. During this time she kept a keen interest in her studio and competitive couples. In August 2004 Marilyne attended the Tasmanian Championships in her wheel chair, just a few days from leaving hospital. Such was Marilyne strength and spirit. Marilyne continued teaching on crutches but through over work bent the titanium rod in her leg. This meant surgery again and having a stronger titanium rod inserted a bone graft and starting recovery time all over again.
   She has continued to volunteer her time to dancesport, and is a major organiser and contributor to the management and organisation of dance events. From the smallest to Tassie’s largest events.Marilyne volunteers her time to these events. Marilyne has spoken publicly about her disability and has appeared in the print media and was elected to the Tasmanian Women’s Honor roll.  She continues to Adjudicate at Major National events and has trained Australian finalists.

Mazza’s hope this story can be past on to encourage others through their own difficult times.
“I was told I may not be able to do things the same but I will find my own way to  still do what I would like but differently. ““Always stay around positive people”