Colley, who had been president of the organisation since 2008, was airlifted from his home town of Parkes on Wednesday after collapsing while on an evening walk.

His family had maintained a vigil by his bedside while the 61-year-old was on life support.

But on Friday afternoon they made the heartbreaking decision to turn the machine off.

The staff at Fairfax Media passes its condolences to Colley's family and many friends.