Julia's involvment in swimming commencd in Helensburgh, when the family joined Helensburgh Swimming Club so that her children could learn to swim. It lasted until 2019, when she was still president of Corsham ASC.

Julia's involvement became serious in 1974, after the family had moved to Wiltshire. The Springfield Centre was just being finished in Corsham, and when it was decided to form a swimming club the Airlies were one of the founding familes. Julia was one of the volunteer parents who took on roles, first as a teacher, then as team manager,  coach and official. She was still president of the club when she died.

She first attended a County Executive as club delegate in 1979, was nominated as County President in 1987 and in 1988 was nominated as assistant to John Anderson on the District Education Committee. She took over from him in 1990.

Some highlights of her career include:

* chief timekeeper at the ASA Winter Championships, in Gloucester; the first National event to be held in the West.

* officiating at the European Olympic Days, Bath, 1995.

* part of the District multi-Discipline Centenary Event.

* Attended the FINA conference in Manchester prior to the Commonwealth Games

* Part of the training team for Stephanie Millward MBE from age groups to paralympics.

* Meet Manager for the swimming events at the British Transplant Games 2006, 2010