CEO Report

The Tasmania economy has certainly not escaped the effects of the Global Economic Crisis (GFC) and Colony 47 has been at the forefront of the flow on effects of this crisis. The GFC had an enormous affect on Tasmanian families on low-incomes who are already struggling to meet basic living costs.

Our workers are reporting a significant increase in demand right across all our services but especially our counselling, mental health services and housing services. The housing market in Tasmania remains in crisis with a less than 1% vacancy rate in the private rental market.

Therese Taylor Chief Executive Officer

Colony 47 has begun 2010 responding to these challenges with several innovative new programs to assist our clients and the community generally, including–

Moving On Property, a registered real estate agency was launched just before Christmas 2009 and new programs Youth Connections and Partnership Brokers have begun operation.

Moving On Property provides the full range of professional property management and sales services you would find with any regular real estate agency, the program differentiates itself from other property agents through its commitment to social inclusion and support of the Tasmanian community. All funds raised through Moving On Property are invested directly back into supporting Tasmanians in need through Colony 47’s range of housing support services and community programs.

Moving On has already sold its first property and has landlords and property investors lining up to utilise their property management services. Colony 47 is committed to the Affordable Housing agenda in Tasmania and want to assist low income Tasmanians access suitable long term housing.

Colony 47 has a long history of assisting youth who are marginalised. We deliver a number of programs to assist young people to reconnect with their community and their school to increase their chances of success.

The Youth Connections program has started in school and works directly with students who are disengaged from learning. The team has several innovative ways of re-connecting students to schools and finding ways to keep them engaged in education including a mobile learning service.

The Partnership Brokers program is looking at ways to link schools, training providers, parents and teachers and business together to support successful education and training outcomes.

We have also extended our reach beyond southern Tasmania into Launceston where Colony 47 is now offering a referral and outreach service to the Aboriginal community. We intend to grow our services in the north of the state.

The services Colony 47 offers are particularly vital during tough financial times and it is the support from the Tasmanian community that allows us to keep them going.

Please contact me on 03 6222 1518 if you would like to support Colony 47.

Therese Taylor
Chief Executive Officer