The history of
Fusion Southern Tasmania
For over 40 years, Fusion teams have been active across southern Tasmania, working to bring communities together around their young people.
Beginning in 1981 through a partnership with the House of the Carpenter in North Hobart, the early years were characterized by practical service within the community. This included running youth drop in spaces, service-ministry and community engagement at the Royal Hobart Show each year, regular weekend day trips for young people, working with local churches in outreach at Easter plus the creation of an intentional community in Hobart’s northern suburbs.
Even today there are families across Hobart who carry memories of special times spent at the Fusion Family Area at the shows. With a value of providing spaces where everyone felt safe, comfortable and free to participate as much or as little as they wanted to, the Fusion space was a blessing to families and people of all ages.
The church at the heart of the
community
During the 1990s Fusion undergirded the Awakening movement, bringing churches together in mission and public witness. In and around Hobart, this included the annual Good Friday Prayer Vigils, Easter Marches and festivals, plus the Global March for Jesus in 1994 and 1996.
Local teams emerged in communities across the south, from Geeveston to Sorell, New Norfolk to Huonville, all committed to working in unity and helping their churches find creative ways to bring neighbourhoods together in celebration and harmony.
A new type of partnership
to support young people
With a vision to model how a community can come together around the emerging generation, in 1996 Fusion entered into a contract with Kingborough Council to deliver youth services in the area. The new Fusion Kilati Youth Café was opened in central Kingston and became the hub of Fusion’s operations in the region.
Kilati Café provided young people with a place to gather after school and get to know others in an accepting environment, supported by Fusion’s skilled youth workers. Fusion facilitated teams of volunteers to deliver lunchtime programs in the local high schools, weekend adventure day trips, school holiday programs, youth representative councils, Youth Week activities and mentoring programs for those at risk of dropping out of school.
Leadership and training programs, including Theodynamics and Foundations helped equip both young people and volunteers with the skills they needed to reach their potential and thrive.
The local church community embraced the work, with Monday morning gatherings for prayer at the Fusion base being attended by supporters from many different worshipping communities.
New opportunities for developing
community at Forest Glen
A decade later, Anglicare approached Fusion about taking over the management and later ownership of the Forest Glen property on the outskirts of Kingston. Already equipped with a fully operational high and low ropes course, plus small-scale housing and a hub for administration, the property provided Fusion with the opportunity to further model how a small community could mentor and support young people struggling with life’s challenges.
Forest Glen would become the hub for Fusion’s work in southern Tasmania in 2007. From here the team continues to network with churches, work alongside local schools and not for profits, and demonstrate how our values of Justice, Mercy, Compassion, Respect and Industry can be lived out in an intentional community setting.
Make an
impact
Help strengthen the lives of vulnerable young people and families in Southern Tasmania.
