Navigating challenges and charity closure

The Australian Tea Cultural Society (AUSTCS), a not-for-profit organisation that is based around the development of “tea awareness through culture and community” has faced challenging circumstances which have led to the decision of charity closure. As the founding director of AUSTCS, David Lyons reflects on his journey with the organisation and the knowledge that he’s gained as a long-term member of the tea cultural community.

Starting with a sip

David’s interest in tea initially stemmed from personal connection. He fondly recalls memories of shopping for tea leaves with his grandmother from the Ceylon Tea Company. Hot, strong, and with a splash of milk - those were typical characteristics of the teas which they drank together. 

His first professional foray into the Australian tea industry was as a wholesaler specialising in specialty and flavoured teas. The customer base was diverse, from upper-scale hotels to health resorts. Initially, he had assumed that he was well-equipped with the knowledge required for the role due to his experience. However, as he progressed within the industry, he realised that he had a lot to learn and started doing research into different teas of many origins and flavours, as well as historical contexts. He “set about researching and learning about tea, teas from many countries, flavoured teas like jasmine, masala chai and a vast array of exciting flavours”. Through research, discovered that the history of tea was “incredible and has been a part of human history for thousands of years” and developed a deeper connection with the beverage. 

This knowledge equipped David with the confidence that enabled him to seek out other people that shared a similar interest and passion for the tea industry. In 2015, he discovered that there was a community surrounding the topic of specialty teas. Through these communities, he discovered that there was a demand for a representative body that acts as an informant on tea culture and education without influence from businesses and marketers. It was because of this demand that the AUSTCS was formed. The organisation was originally developed with professional legal guidance and advice from the ATO and the ACNC, which made the recommendation that it was registered as a charity.

Tensions bubble towards a boiling point

From the beginning, David found that it was important to find individuals that aligned with the requirements and motivations of the AUSTCS. He started his search in an area he viewed as logical - the tea community. However, he observed that the close involvement of individuals that are too closely connected to the tea industry is risky, as he had personally witnessed this influence result in organisational corruption. When he found two other individuals that were ideologically and motivational compatible, mobility began. Together, they set to work with the goal of talking to tea enthusiasts and businesses. This took the form of meetings at tea houses nation-wide and formed the basis of future seminars.

Funding is another key component of starting an organisation. In relation to the AUSTCS, David was offered assistance by The China International Tea Cultural Institute (CITCI), the tea cultural institute which he is a member of. However, due to the organisation’s roots in Australia, the three co- founders thought that this would cause complications and continued their search for funding. This proved to be a challenge and David provided assistance himself with an initial interest-free loan (which would be paid back once the charity was properly established).

Later on, AUSTCS came face-to-face with a problem that seemed impossible to navigate: COVID-19. The wide-scale issue of a pandemic and its impact on the financial stability of Australians nationally meant that charities struggled, with volunteer and donation numbers declining as a consequence. Activities were reduced during that time period and started again in 2023, when the AUSTCS Tea Festival and Seminar took place in Sydney. During the final speech of the day, David realised that the organisation couldn’t be sustained any further, he felt “a feeling of great sadness” as he thought about the financial impacts of the lockdowns and how his speech could potentially be the last speech he makes as founding director.

The aftermath: lessons learned and memories made

Working in the tea cultural industry has created ample opportunity to build global relationships through shared interests and spread awareness to young Australians at schools. An especially special memory that David recalls was when he witnessed a junior tea competition in China. As an international tea cultural specialist, many of the children were nervous about meeting him. However, a confident young girl stood out by taking the initiative to offer him tea; a moment that “has great importance” to him.

From a business standpoint, David’s experience as a founding director has taught him that involvement, professionalism and commitment are important traits for charities to possess. To him, success is “people, community, sharing and having the privileged opportunity to connect and influence decisions which may help others or make their lives better.”

The closure of AUSTCS shouldn’t be seen as the end of all things for David Lyons. He has dreams that Australia will have a specialised centre and meeting space dedicated to tea culture in the future, complete with physical and virtual libraries that acknowledge tisane beverages created by Australia’s First Nations people. He plans on doing his part to contribute to the growth of tea culture by focusing on smaller community efforts in the Temora Shire Council and his international connection to the CITCI, not letting his age deter him from his aspirations.