Obslife, May 2010

JONATHAN Endersby, chair of the OBSID's IT and online strategy committee, calls himself the resident computer nerd of the organisation, but he is clearly just as passionate about community involvement as he is about IT.

He signed up for the OBSID even before he and his fiance moved from Woodstock into their Arnold Street home two years ago.

His community involvement is based on a belief that apathy is a disservice to those who fought to improve society in the past. His approach is to get fully involved wherever he stays, and to guard against becoming one of those who only ever make themselves heard when they have something to complain about.

He feels that his belief in the OBSID as a way of turning Observatory around has been vindicated. "Before Obsid started Obs felt like it was under siege and hiding under the bed. Just a few months later and it feels as if we've got a new found confidence and a sense of security that I didn't feel before."
Straight from school, Endersby launched himself into a computer programming career which evolved into business analysis and entrepreneurship. He co-owns a successful web-based travel business and currently works from home on his next internet venture. His passion for Obs started when he took a break some years ago to work as a barman at the Armchair in Lower Main Road. Since then, he's become an Obs home-owner.

"I have fond memories of (participating in) the Obz Fest, at the same time I have memories of lying in bed thinking that if I hear another bottle break outside my house I'm going to lose my cool. It's trying to find that balance that's so crucial and so difficult.
I think we've got the right people (in the OBSID) trying to do that."