our history
We’ve been here for over 50 years, supporting young people to find their home base.
You might know us as Colony 47, but in October 2024, we changed our name to Home Base.
Why?
Because words matter and as times change, so do their meanings.
Jim Colville started the organisation in 1973. He believed in the power of young people and the difference we can make when we work together.
We still believe that.
Our new name, Home Base reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting young Tasmanians and ending youth homelessness.
The name, chosen by young Tasmanians, symbolises a safe, welcoming space and a strong foundation for those striving for stability and independence.
We are proud to have collaborated with young people from schools, community programs, and youth-focused initiatives to develop this new identity.
Over the past 50 years, our organisation has been dedicated to transforming the lives of countless individuals and families across Tasmania, and this rebrand marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
We will continue to honour our legacy while ensuring our name and mission align with the needs of the youth we support today.
“I learnt that what is important is that people, who are often judged as useless by society, have a lot to give if you tap into that potential.”
— Jim Colville, Founder
hear from our founder jim colville on how we began...
FAQs
Why did we revitalise our brand?
We’ve been around for over 50 years, and we want to be around for another 50+ years.
To do this and be here welcoming the young people of today – we need a new identity that reflects us and is appealing to those we are here to support.
We know it’s a big thing, and we want to honour where we’ve come from but also know we need to change to be there for the future.
Why are we changing our name?
Our history of supporting young people continues to inspire our staff and the community, but our current name can be a source of confusion.
There isn’t a colonial history on the planet that doesn’t involve environmental exploitation and cultural destruction and we are no longer attached to 47 Davey St, our original home.
It is time to create a new identity for the organisation that sends a bold message about our values.
Why did we update our logo?
With our new name, Home Base, we also launched a new visual identity – one that represents our purpose.
But, while we might look a bit different on the outside, we’re still the same passionate group of people striving to make a difference on the inside!
Will our vision and purpose be changing?
No, we still exist to help young Tasmanians to live a good life.
Our vision, purpose and values will not be changing. Our people first, passionate staff will still all be working towards our common goal to end youth homelessness.
If you’d like to get in contact about our brand revitalisation, or to provide feedback or ask questions; please email communications@homebasetas.org.au
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