Eighteen months later this column began. I could not have envisaged then that I would still be writing in 2015.

Today I end this chapter, having decided to concentrate on newer interests. In a couple of weeks, my husband Tony and I head to France to ride our bicycles on an epic adventure from Calais to the Mediterranean.

Swimming is an activity for all in the community, whether that be for fitness, recreation, rehabilitation, relaxation or competition. It suits all age groups from infants to elderly, is socially inclusive, providing physical and mental benefits.

When my children started to swim, the initial goal was to improve their general fitness levels. It morphed over time into a far more serious commitment. For Joshua it was life changing.

Shortly after starting training, Joshua was being bullied at school by a small number of students because he had persistent, regular gross motor involuntary muscular tics. It was a difficult time worrying about what was wrong with Joshua, and dealing with the effects of bullying. The resulting diagnosis was Tourette's Syndrome, which seemed a relief compared with some of the options being examined.

At the time, Joshua was not a strong swimmer, nor was he outgoing and confident. Various medications were trialled, but with negative side effects. The decision was made instead to concentrate on enhancing his self-esteem and resilience. With his coach's and family's support, guidance and perseverance, swimming proved to be better than any drug.

Joshua went from a 10-year-old who cried with disappointment at missing out on a ribbon at an encouragement meet, to winning his first state titles at 13, and an Australian age championship at 15. This for me, was a proud parent moment, as I understood just what he had been through to win that gold medal.

Joshua's hope is that any young kid who may lack confidence, for whatever reason, could take inspiration from his journey, setting their own goals, and not give up.

Without his wonderful first coaches, Viv Orders and Jenny Page, Joshua would not have achieved what he did. They provided nurturing, caring support, teaching him the necessary stroke skills, building up his fitness and enabling his subsequent success. Squad swimming provided team support, friendship and camaraderie.

As a parent, I was busy with four young children and working full-time. However, I got involved filling roles as club secretary, president, statistician, time keeper, recording box official, trainee coach, state team manager, Swimming Tasmania board member, Swimming Australia committee member and, at 46 years, a qualified surf life saver.

This provided opportunities to meet some of my swimming heroes including Kieren Perkins, with whom I enjoyed a rigorous debate on the merit of open water swimming, and Ian Thorpe.

In 15 years, Tasmania has produced some wonderful swimming stories.

Nicole Hunter (Hobart Aquatic), who represented Australia at open level in butterfly would be our most successful swimmer in that time.

Coached by Peter Churchill, she suffered some setbacks including glandular fever, but benefited from swimming in a particularly strong squad, including Kate Young, who regularly placed at Australian championships in 50 metres breaststroke.

Former Queenslander Karl Wurzer made Hobart his home, and also regularly medalled at open level in the same event.

At junior level, Penny Sproal, Shani Burleigh, Ariarne Titmus and Jacob Vincent stand out. Titmus and Vincent both have an exciting future if they can stay grounded, fit and healthy, and receive the appropriate support required to transition to success at open level.

Tasmania has been fortunate to have had two high calibre, world level officials in the "two Dons", Don Jack and Don Blew. Both started as swimming parents, continuing their passion well beyond their children's swimming careers. Their highlights have included Olympic Games and world championships. They are a great example of what volunteer officials can aspire to.

I have always had the utmost respect for Southern-based official Robert Gregg. Fair, equitable and popular on the pool deck, he has progressed from Tasmanian chief referee to the head of Swimming Australia's technical officials.

I am somewhat biased when it comes to coaches, as it is based on my own personal experiences at South Esk with Page and Orders.

As a coach for teenagers and more experienced swimmers, Justin Helmich gets my vote. A former policeman and well credentialed swimmer in his own right, he is fondly known as Yogi. A tough guy who would utilise tough love techniques. Despite this, he was well liked and respected by his squads.

On one occasion Yogi thought some of the squad were getting a bit cocky. With minimal training, he rocked up to training one night resplendent in his budgie smugglers and challenged the lads to a 50-metre freestyle race. Yogi won - just. He was worse for wear for his efforts, but put the boys back into their rightful spot, earning their respect.

Writing so many columns was not always easy. Often there was a lack of information available, or what was available was factually incorrect. However, with the passing of renowned local legendary coach Bill De Jonge I had plenty of great information, as my friend Craig Burleigh had prepared and delivered his eulogy. It remains the column that I was most pleased with. It is also the column that I put the most time, effort and worry into, cognisant of Bill's grieving family.

Thank you to Pauline Burleigh and Julie Barwick. I have appreciated their continuing support, friendship and encouragement which ensured that I continued this column many years beyond what I intended. I met both ladies through swimming and they continue to be wonderfully caring friends.

Finally, I have only worked with two sports editors since 2001, Martin Gilmour and Rob Shaw. My thanks to both for the support they have provided me in writing about this great sport.

■ Contributions to the swimming column can still be emailed to sport@examiner.com.au