January - February update for Young Christian Students Australia

1. NATIONAL
NEWSLETTER
JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2017
AYCS.ORG.AU
FACEBOOK.COM/AUSTRALIANYCS

2. The Short Report
Dear all Australian YCS members and supporters,
From June 2016 to February 2017, December was the only month that I hadn't ventured out of
Townsville for work. I have been so fortunate to work in a national role that allows me to travel
around Australia, from Perth to Brisbane, Cairns to Melbourne, Adelaide to Sydney. A highlight
of these travels is getting to meet with the students in their home towns, to attempt to further
understand them and their lives and what they want to change in their worlds and realities.
What makes YCS unique is that it reviews and acts upon the realities of high school students.
This student reality unites the students as they campaign to play a part in bringing about the
kingdom of God on Earth, being peacemakers, and becoming leaders in their own community.
This idea of taking ownership over the issues recognised in a student's reality was evident as
the students came to Adelaide in January for the biannual National Executive Meeting.
As one of the most challenging times of the year, it takes up a lot of student commitment- from
creating an agenda, formatting and sending out diocesan reports, completing diocesan reports
and preparing sessions, to taking a week out of their holidays to be decision makers. The
students reviewed the movement in its entirety while also reviewing their three national
workers, reviewed external relationships such as with Catholic Mission and YCW, created a
theme and logo for National Conference, passed the 2017 budget and completed employment.
That would be the biggest change this year - only one national worker was employed with the
main cause of this being due to reduced funding. This means my role looks a bit different. The
students have taken it in their stride along with the roles they have been elected for
(mentioned below) and the roles that weren't elected. For at least the first six months of the
year there will be no National Chairperson as we are prioritising building the diocesan
movements . The National Employment team has thus included it in their role to be my
supervisor with a rotation of students taking on the agenda planning and chairing of the
monthly meetings. So far this has proved effective and it is great that the students will each be
giving it a go.
I would like to thank Hannah Stavrou and Annie Purbrick for their commitment last year to their
roles as AYCS workers. Your support, wisdom and guidance has not only been beneficial to
the students, but also to me. You continue to challenge in our lives outside YCS.
In the Spirit of Cardijn,
Zara Cavalot.
Australian YCS National Coordinator. zara.cavalot@aycs.org.au

3. The Year That Was
Our year has been a big one starting off strong with a strong forty in
attendance at our National Conference in Melbourne in January. We
voted on the 2016-2017 National Campaign: Climate Justice, after
looking at the student realities and what we want to see change in the
world. "I love trees" - Spencer Woods. 2016 left us with spirit in our
shoes to walk the journey of Cardijn. After National Conference
concluded we said goodbye to our amazing national workers workers,
Liam McGuire and Sophie Stewart and we welcomed our new
workers, the amazing trio, Zara Cavalot, Annie Purbrick and Hannah
Stavrou.
Skipping ahead to April, the SEE Campaign Review Camps went off
shooting their roots to a great campaign, run spectacularly by our
diocesan leaders and national executive members. Using the resource
created by the national executive team, the SEE camps really shone
through and was a great highlight for 2016.
Hayden Gerrie, the National Chairperson, reflects on 2016
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4. July saw our National
Executive Team come
together for the in person
meeting in Parramatta (my
home town). The week was
productive, enlightening,
guiding and fun for all who
attended.
When September rolled around, the AYCS nation came together to
review on a diocesan level on the topic of Climate Justice. Perth,
Townsville, Adelaide, Port Pirie and Parramatta participated in their
own diocesan reviews. Great actions came out of this and I'm excited
to see them all come to life.
Our year has been great and we are so happy for you to be a part of it
and part of our great adventure. Once again on behalf of Australian
YCS, we hope you had a very Merry Christmas and have a fulfilling
2017. See you all soon.
Hayden Gerrie.
AYCS National Chairperson 2016

5. Every six months, the National Executive Team gets together for a week long
in-person meeting. From January 14-20, the Executive Representatives, their
deputies and Campaign Communicators headed to Adelaide to be critical, run
session, practice their leadership skills and do a Review of Life on the
national movement. The students created projects to take back to their
diocese as a form of support between the levels. We also had observers
attend from Perth and Adelaide diocese. Here is what a few of those students
who attended have to say about the week long event:
Being a part of the National Executive is one of my favourite parts of being in
YCS. Being on the team I have met so many amazing people who have
become some of my closest friends. In working with these people I am able to
continually learn more about YCS and myself. The January Executive meeting
is an experience that I'll never forget. - Brendan, Townsville (Deputy Executive
Representative). Grade 12.
The National Executive Meeting was a chance for the team to come together to
review and improve the national movement. I gained and built on my knowledge
and got such valuable understanding of different areas of the movement. I also
gained so much self- confidence in my session-running skills and also just in
general that I am so proud of! My favourite part was definitely running the
Campaign Day sessions with Eloise, and the workers Annie and Hannah and I
couldn't have dreamed of a more inspiring, hilarious and wise team and I've
never been more proud of anything I've ever done in my life! Another favourite
memory was making new and building on really special and lovely friendships
especially when running around Glenelg! - Cait, Melbourne (Campaign
Communicator). Grade 11.
January National Executive
Meeting
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6. My first executive experience exceeded all my expectations. The meetings
themselves were fun yet challenging and everyone could get involved. The
people were absolutely amazing and welcomed me with open arms and open
minds. The friendships I have made this week will be those which will last a
long time. These two aspects combined created an atmosphere of support,
hard work and enjoyment. This experience has opened my eyes to endless
possibilities, both within and outside the movement, whilst allowing me to grow
in ways that I didn't think possible. I am very privileged for the experience of
attending the January 2017 executive meeting in Adelaide and I can't wait to
see how this can evolve in the future. - Gabby, Perth (Observer). Grade 10.
My first national executive was an experience of a lifetime and one that will stay
with me forever. Being surrounded by such beautiful, inspirational and positive
people felt so powerful and has changed my life! I gained so much knowledge
about the movement whilst my faith was deepened and challenged. Thanks to
the fellow students and also the workers for such for a brilliant week! - Tyana,
Perth (Observer). Grade 9.
I continue to learn more about YCS. From this week I will take lots back to my
diocese including: leadership handover, and session styles/structure. Some of
my many favourite parts of this week include: the surprise water fight with the
workers, and our bonding time as a team throughout the days. - Issy, Perth
(Executive Representative). Grade 11.

7. An action from the National Executive Meeting and to ensure our
movement is student run, the students elect their fellow team
members into appropriate roles on the coordination and campaign
teams. Congratulations to the following students:
All of these students have been reelected after holding these same
positions from July 2016- January 2017, must mean they're doing a
great job!
National Treasurer
Brendan Hill
2018 National Conference
Coordinator
Issy McPherson
(continuing in this role)
National Student Roles
Social Media Coordinator
Isaac Turner
External Relations
Coordinator
Eloise McNeale

8. Diocesan Actions and News
Local group news from Parramatta: St Columba's just
started their review on "Family Trauma" and have
handed over to two new leaders; Bella and Imogen.
St. Andrews reviewed body image with the theme
"tolerating your self" and conducted their personality
parade action with the whole diocese at the PYCS
Trivia Night.
Loyola are reviewing "Human Trafficking" and currently
preparing their action so stay tuned.
OLMC are reviewing "Climate Justice."
The Adelaide YCS student leaders from Cardijn
College and Tahlia, the Diocesan Worker, attended the
Caritas Project Compassion launch. Both students
spoke at the event, being excellent representatives of
Adelaide YCS.
All diocese have been undertaking a planning day to
save dates in the year ahead and for the executive
representatives to take back what they got from the
January meeting.
Applications have opened in Perth for the Diocesan
YCS Coordinator! The Diocesan Review Team have
advertised the role on the AYCS Facebook page and
applications are open until 18 March 2017, with
interviews on 19 March 2017. Please send your
resume to annie.purbrick@aycs.org.au
National Actions and News
The 2018 National Conference Coordinator, Issy, has developed a promotion strategy to
be released in March for all diocese to utilise. Last year, after the July National Executive
Meeting, Issy created a timeline up until January 2018 National Conference. At the
National Executive Meeting in January, the team will created branding material and the
promotion campaign was launched on Facebook on Monday! It's been a very student run
endeavour.
The February National Executive call took place on the 26th in which the team reviewed
the planning days that diocese have at the start of each year.

9. 2018 National Conference
As launched on our AYCS Facebook page: