Colony 47, charity formed as 'safe haven to Tasmanian youth', turns 50
Founder Jim Colville says "there were enough people who understood and appreciated what we were doing to keep us going". (Supplied: Colony 47)
- In short: Social enterprise Colony 47 is celebrating 50 years of looking out for Tasmanian youth, but the much-loved charity was once controversial
- What's next?: Colony 47 says demand for housing and youth support is rising and it's becoming increasingly difficult to help young people become independent from the organisation's services
When social enterprise Colony 47 first opened its doors 50 years ago, Hobart was a very different place.
The last remnants of the White Australia policy had only just been abolished in Australia, there were no gay rights, and access to contraception was very difficult.
Young women and members of the queer community were early visitors to the service (Supplied: Colony 47)
Young, unmarried women who found themselves pregnant were commonly shunned by their family and communities and backyard abortions were sometimes seen as the only choice.
Young people were falling through the cracks, something then-Christian minister Jim Colville was witnessing first hand through his work.
Jim Colville, pictured during the early days of the charity. (Supplied: Colony 47)
"Many of them were suffering," Mr Colville said.
"I couldn't understand why contraceptives [weren't] better than having abortions. And so I was going to break the law and distribute them in the community."
Fortunately, regulations changed and he didn't have to go down that path. But, Mr Colville knew that the many challenges facing young Tasmanians were far from resolved.
So, in an old independently-run church at 47 Davey Street, Hobart, Colony 47 was formed.
'Attacked from every direction'
Initially, the organisation operated as a social hub-meets-coffee shop, where people from all walks of life were welcomed and supported.
Early visitors were often young women or members of the queer community who were experiencing social isolation or judgement.
Colony 47 acted as a social hub-meets-coffee-shop in the early days. (Supplied: Colony 47)
Despite the passion of the team, it wasn't always smooth sailing. The organisation's progressive stance often brought it into conflict with what was still a largely conservative community.
"I got attacked from every possible direction that you could expect, including from the church," Mr Colville said.
"I was rejected by large parts of the community. And sometimes the little funding we were receiving we lost, because of what we were trying to do."
At one stage, Mr Colville was almost charged with "running a house of ill-repute" because of attitudes towards the young people attending the premises and a community perception that people of criminal intent were gathering there.
Colony 47 welcomed people from all walks of life. (Supplied: Colony 47)
His decision to paint the front doors red also did little to quell public opposition, with the National Trust reportedly unimpressed by that decision.
"But we survived," Mr Colville said.
"There were enough people who understood and appreciated what we were doing to keep us going … and that was the wonderful thing about it."
Jim Colville says he founded Colony 47 because he could see many young people "were suffering". (Supplied: Colony 47)
Half a century of making a difference, but challenges remain
Fifty years on from its colourful beginnings, Colony 47 continues to deliver programs for Tasmanians in need, with a particular focus on housing.
It's helped more than 50,000 households with bond or rental assistance, more than 7,000 young people with early intervention support and has helped get more than 17,500 young people into education and employment.
But the challenges facing young people have not abated, chief executive Dianne Underwood said.
"The issues back in the 70s were a lot more obvious than they are now," Ms Underwood said.
"I'd love to say it was different, but young people — more than ever — are struggling with their place in Hobart."
She said housing in particular was the biggest challenge, with Tasmanians under 25 currently "excluded from the market".
"When I was a young person, you could actually move out together into share houses. And that's just not an option we're seeing in the housing market at the moment.
"Young people need support on how to live, and how to get those independent living skills."
Jim Colville, Dianne Underwood and Erica Larcombe say housing is a big challenge for young people. (ABC News: Jordan Young)
Supports around housing vital
Youth housing coordinator Erica Larcombe agreed housing was a top priority for young people, but said another challenge was helping them become independent from Colony 47.
Many were staying in supported housing longer and the number returning had increased.
"It's just getting harder and harder to figure out what's next for them," Ms Larcombe said.
"We do need to figure out ways to close those gaps."
Increasing housing stock for young people was part of the puzzle, but Ms Larcombe said it wasn't the whole picture.
"It's not just the stock they need," she said.
"It's the support around capacity building and living skills that can help them on their way as well.
"[They need] greater resources within community organisations to support them with their mental health, their education, employment.
"Anything that supports them in meeting their potential and their goals."
Erica Larcombe says many young people also need help developing life skills. (ABC News: Jordan Young)