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Fusion Australia is a Christian community-based organisation that was commenced in Australia over 40 years ago and has now grown so that it has Centres in every state.
Starting out originally as a youth organisation. it is now highly regarded as a youth, family, and community organisation, with over 200 full-time volunteer workers, who are highly regarded by both government and private agencies.
Along with full-time workers who operate out of 25 Centres around the country, there are also assocated local and regional groups and networks. In these, people of goodwill are brought together, trained to research their area, network with organisations and community agencies, and then to systematically provide youth and community services.
The Fusion Training Centre at Poatina offers Youth and Comunity Work Certificate IV and Diploma and Media training.
Employment programs, youth cafes, day trips, housing programmes - these make up just a small number of the activities that are led by Fusion Australia in its service towards Australians in need.
While Fusion applies for Government Grants, for community projects such as employment programs, youth development activities and youth accommodation projects, most of its funding comes from donations by large numbers of people who are fascinated by the professional approach and service delivery of these people. While being one of the most effective youth and community organisations in the country it runs on a shoe-string budget that would make any government department envious of its cost effectiveness. This is possible because of the significant value that come through goods in kind and volunteer labour.
Fusion also has a number of fund raising strategies, that serve very well. One is a number of Wombat Boutiques . Clothing is collected through community networks and collection bins in public areas. Then well-furbished shop fronts make the best of the high class clothing collected, offering it to people at reasonable prices. Through this service Fusion Australia also makes raises funds to support youth and community work. There are a number of such auxiliary enterprises.
Fusion is very well known in the media through radio programs such as "Breakthru" and Mal Garvin's "Conversation of the Nation" Sunday evening talkback going over satelitte to about 50 community stations nationally.
Fusion's thorough research of Australian culture and society, its creative struggle to find real solutions to current problems and its skilled management team, has made it one of the more remarkable quiet achievers in Australian society.