My journey with aunty Tara began at the inter house swimming meet when I was in the kindergarten . As I finished my back stroke swim, she said “well done Lilanthi”in a way that I recall this as her identifying me as a future backstroker. She made me feel special at that moment and I followed her advise thereafter.
As the captain of the Bishop’s College swimming team, I worked very closely with Aunty Tara. Entries for swimming meets, choosing teams and selecting the order of the relay team were some of the instances that taught me organizational and leadership skills. These were not just swimming lessons, but lessons for life .I clearly remember the day she had to give her word to the committee to produce my birth certificate in order to make sure I was awarded the youngest swimmers trophy, at the Two Mile Sea Swim in 1978.
I also recall her leadership role when we travelled to India for The Age Group swimming Championships and a rough train journey travelling from Bombay to Madras (as it was called then) . She was like mother goose looking after all of us children and parents. During my years at Bishop’s College Aunty Tara was in the school like any other teacher. This is how I recall her presence. Her dedication and contribution to Bishop’s College swimming team was rewarded with multiple championships to the school for many years.
When I saw her briefly in January, she spoke so proudly of Bishop’s College, and I was proud to have been part of a prestigious team and generation she worked with. Swimming in my life can be described as the flowers along the path of my childhood journey.
Rewards were not just medals and trophies, but much more.Aunty Tara, you taught us team spirit , sportsmanship, loyalty and strength. My life after school years were filled with these valuable lessons you taught us. Rest in peace Aunty Tara, you will remain in many hearts.
Lilanthi Abeynayake