Evolve was founded in 1993 by Matt Pfahlert under the name of Youth Opportunity Program. Whilst working in a youth program in Queensland in 1991 Matt became aware of the Typo Station property in north east Victoria. Lloyd Hancock sponsored Matt's flight to Victoria to lease the property and help turn Matt’s vision into a reality. Click here to read about the history of Typo Station.

Assisted by the Rotary Club of Appin Park in Wangaratta and many local volunteers, Matt lived in a tin shed for two years (working without pay) restoring the 100-year-old homestead back to its original glory. Typo Station continues to receive upgrades to support program delivery, with additions and renovations in keeping with the ethos of simple living and the pioneer style of the original buildings.

Our organisation traded as 'Typo Station' until October 2007. Typo Station is the original name of the former grazing station, and was named after nearby Mt Typo.

Our first group of young people

The first group of staff and young men also helped restore and build on the land. The organisation has since purchased the property and firmly established itself as an integral part of the King Valley community.

The move to Melbourne

In 2004, an office space was sub-let in Melbourne’s CBD through a generous business supporter, IMR, to help grow the organisation and build awareness of our programs. A permanent Head Office was established in Collingwood in May 2007.