Colin was devoted to improving the lives of tens of thousands of people in need in Malaysia and Indonesia, particularly in eastern Indonesia through the Nusa Tenggara Association (NTA).
 
Colin was an academic specialising in the problems of small scale rubber and oil palm producers in Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. He was a Visiting Fellow at the Department of Political and Social Change at the Australian National University.
 
Colin first visited East Nusa Tenggara Province in Indonesia as part of an analysis of poverty in the region in 1988. He and other colleagues were taken aback by the poverty-stricken conditions in which people lived. He was joined on this trip by Ria Gondowarsito who was to become his wife and was his partner in this work.  In 1991 Colin and Shirley Bowman founded the NTA which became his life’s work.
 
Colin was the inspiration and drive within the NTA. He was the one that came back to Australia and won the support of others to commence activities, to win trust with the people in Indonesia and supporters in Australia. By making the organisation primarily volunteer based he was able ensure that almost all of the money raised went straight to Indonesia where it was used to help poor farming communities.
 
Under Colin’s leadership as the Chief Executive Officer the organisation grew. NTA’s work was recognised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) which accredited the NTA and provided funding. But maintaining the strong support of our regular donors was vital and Colin was active in reporting to existing donors and searching for new ones.
 
Colin established an arm of the NTA in Indonesia to implement the activities. He hand picked the best local people to work with communities. A key focus was for communities to work together to plan what they wanted and to contribute the labour and part of the cost. All crucial steps in developing community management and promoting sustainability. This arm of NTA thrived and in 2016 became an independent organisation which is now NTA’s peak partner. 
 
Colin’s passion was in agriculture and he established effective programs to improve productivity and incomes. This became NTA’s flagship program. But hand in hand with this he recognised and addressed the importance of improving health and hygiene including through the provision of tanks and toilets and the need for effective education. 
 
For 30 years Colin and Ria visited the NTA field sites in Flores and West Timor as volunteers. They devoted 6 weeks twice a year to visiting communities to assess progress on projects and help plan activities in front. Well into his eighties Colin was bounding up the slopes of farms with local people to inspect progress and to discuss issues. He loved talking to the people and they loved talking to him. He made a very significant difference to the lives of many in poverty.
 
Colin continued as CEO of NTA until his death. He has developed an effective organisation focussed on people in need. He passes on a sound and established organisation as part of his legacy. It is now the time for others to take hold of the baton and ensure that NTA continues to help those in need in the East Nusa Tenggara Province.  

The funeral service for Colin was held on Friday the 23 December 2023. Details are available HERE

 

 

 

Purpose.    The purpose of this message is to provide D9705 clubs and leaders with an update on flood relief actions in the district and what is being planned.

 

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Flood Situation.     There is no significant change to the general flood situation. Some communities in the far west continue to have large bodies of water around them.  Eugowra remains the most heavily damaged location in District 9705. Some residents of Eugowra have recovering and are helping to clear the local creek of containers, dead animals and rubbish.  Others appear to be badly affected and will need more time to regain their independence.

 

RC of Parkes Videos.    The RC of Parkes under Robert Shore's direction is making a video on the floods and the district's response.  Early footage showing the nature and extent of the damage are on the RC of Parkes YouTube site.   Please view and share.

 

Rotary's Public Image.   This morning, Deidre Tome was interviewed on ABC Central West Breakfast  Monday 19 Dec recorded show.   The interviewer commented very positively on Rotary's relief efforts.  You can listen to Deidre's segment which starts at 2:20:00 and runs for 4:47 mins.     

 

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D9705 Response and Actions.   As people begin to regain their footing, our club and district actions are aimed at:

The most tangible and publicly-appreciated aspect of Rotary is the continuous direct action in Eugowra by the RC of Orange Daybreak led by Michelle Duncan (President) and by Colin Nayda supported by volunteers and other clubs. Behind the scenes, Robert Shore, Scott Griffiths and Deidre Tome are performing vital planning. consultation and coordination functions that entail a lot of driving and a lot of telephone time. Things like mattresses and pillows are sourced and managed.  

 

There are also indications of Rotary club donations coming through, including one of the many $500 vouchers donated by the RC of Hall getting to a devastated Eugowra arts and crafts business.  Inner Wheel is contributing $5,000 to the early childhood centre at Eugowra, and the RC of Parkes is planning to provide all Eugowra public school children with uniforms, shoes and school essentials.

 

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We are working in collaboration with a team that has formed around Eugowra's community leader, Sean Haynes.  In support of Mr Haynes, we will

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With thanks for your collective support and the compliments of the season,