The document provides updates on Youth Climate Summit activities in various Australian cities in 2018. In Townsville, students reviewed local issues like lunchtime boredom and litter, and a new YCS group launched at a boys' college. The Perth group held leadership events and worked to start new groups. In Adelaide, the sole group focused on mental health topics. The Parramatta group brought students together for leadership training and community initiatives. Bundaberg students created reusable bags with an environmental design. YCW Australia doubled in size and worked towards its 2020 vision. The YCS logo was updated after consultation. Contact information is provided for interested students.

1. IN REVIEW
JANUARY
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
The 2018 National Conference was held in
Perth in January. Natcon allows students from all
around Australia to meet and discuss the future
of the movement on local and national levels. We
were able to catch up, make new friends, review
our structure and efficiency, bring about change,
and to plan for the years ahead.
Words can’t describe how much I enjoyed my
time in Perth. I brought back a lot of energy, a
new and clearer vision for YCS at Ryan Catholic
College (my local group). I can feel the energy
boost Natcon has given all of us - we’re
optimistic, ready to make some change, and help
out our fellow YCSers!
Aditi, Townsville Year 10 Student
DECEMBER
LEADERSHIP IN ACTION TRAINING
This December, Australian YCS held our first ever
Leadership in Action Training event in Melbourne.
Over the week, we formed new friendships and learnt
valuable leadership skills. There were many sessions,
run by students, workers and guest speakers which
focused on a variety of areas including leadership
qualities, story telling, building relationships and
using power. We also shared and listened to the
valuable stories of other students and inspired one
another to put our faith into action. On the final two
days of the training, we focused on planning an
action to take back to our schools and local
communities. We cannot wait to carry out our
actions, so stay tuned to find out more!
Tyana, Perth Year 10 Student

2. 2018 IN
TOWNSVILLE
I can’t believe this year has come to an end, what an
incredible year it has been for us up North! Monica and
I (Jason) definitely hit the ground running when we
started work in February of this year, and along with
the students, we haven’t slowed down since.
At a local level, the students have reviewed a variety of
issues that directly affect them and the world around
them, including: boredom at lunchtime, litter in the
school grounds, body image issues, self-health, and
plenty more. We were also excited to welcome a new
YCS group to the Townsville diocese! After our camp in
July, the boys at St Teresa’s College in Abergowrie
successfully launched their group, with their first
review tackling young people smoking.
On a diocesan level, the students were busy running
their Review of Life camp, attending Townsville
Catholic Education’s “Café Conversations” series which
unpacked the ACBC Social Justice Statements, helping
out with YCS advertising stalls, and engaging in the
behind-the-scenes running of our movement. Leaders
of our local groups also took part in a diocesan
leadership training workshop, allowing a new
generation of YCS students to take action effectively.
Monica and I were lucky enough to run Review of Life,
and faith-in-action workshops at a variety of high
schools including Ryan Catholic College, Ignatius Park
College, St Patrick’s College, and Columba Catholic
College. Travelling as far as Charters Towers, students
in the diocese were able to review and take action on
issues that affected them personally and in their
school communities. Discussing faith in real world
contexts.
We also established frequent diocesan social events,
allowing students across the diocese to build
friendships outside of the meeting room. We’ve chilled
out at the beach, versed each other in bowling, and
plan to road trip up north for our final social of the year.
Jason, Townsville Worker

3. 2018 IN
PERTH
2018 has been exciting for Perth! We held NatCon
in January, with awesome work being done by our
students and Zara in organising it. We said
goodbye to our worker Zara after NatCon. Our new
worker, Emily started in April and kicked off events
again after settling in. We have held Review of Life
nights, a social rock climbing night, and a couple of
other events. Emily has mainly been focusing on
starting new groups, with a few new groups
hopefully starting in the new year all around Perth.
We would like to say thank you to Tyana, Gabby
and Isobella for working so hard for YCS
throughout the year.
Emily, Perth Worker
2018 IN
ADELAIDE
Currently Adelaide still consists of one thriving YCS group
located at Cardijn College, with big plans for expansion in the
new year. The Cardijn College group consists of approximately
60 students. These students have taken particular interest in
various aspect of mental health this year, including:
self-acceptance, advocacy and appreciation. Some actions
have included: a camp focused on self-acceptance, advocacy
for local mental health organisations in the community and an
appreciation journalling project. Our primary focus for 2018
was to re-structure and tailor the YCS group to suit the
students involved. We have solidified a new structure and are
excited to carry this out in 2019. Some events we are looking
forward to are: termly R.O.L nights, termly connect nights,
regular lunch-time reflections and many actions. Our students
have also attended the two major national YCS events
including the National Conference in January and the
Leadership in Action Training held in December. Both these
experiences have provided the students with an opportunity to
develop their spirituality, their skills as young leaders and
lifelong friendships. In addition to these national events, we
have supported our local community in a couple of initiatives,
including a Vinnies Winter Sleep-out. Moving forward into 2019
we are particularly excited to keep our graduating students
involved. To conclude the year, we celebrated with our
graduates by hosting a YCS alumni bowling night.
Tahlia, Adelaide Worker

4. 2018 IN
PARRAMATTA
2018 has been a year of bringing students together and
inspiring young leaders to be a vehicle for change in their
community.
Events run throughout the year include the Leadership and
Formation Training Workshops, the YCS Camp, Trivia Night
Diocese Event and Parramatta YCS Christmas Party. The
different schools within Parramatta YCS have also explored
many different reviews throughout the year, with various
actions like with a mental health review where a school
collaborated with their school counsellor to present to their
school on this prevalent topic. Other actions across schools
included unity days surrounding bringing students together
through all the different stereotypes or inequalities that
arise such as culture, social economic standing or gender.
Next year we would like to focus on more leadership
training and formation for leaders new and current that
have come in through having YCS open up to other schools.
Students throughout 2018 have come together and have
opened their minds and hearts to living out their faith
through action.
Christina, Parramatta YCW Youth Engagement Officer
2018 IN
BUNDABERG
This year working through the trademark YCS method of
‘See, Judge & Act,’ the group spent semester one discussing
the topic of the environment. After much discussion about
all the different aspects of the environment, it was decided
that with the introduction of the Single Use Plastic Bag Ban,
to engage our whole student body and hold a poster
competition. The winning design was printed onto our very
own Shalom ‘enviro bags’ and are being sold through the
school and wider community.
Congratulations goes to Ella Boas on the winning design and Cara Mainwaring and Simon Rathbone
for leading us through the process.
This project has proven to our YCS group that although a project like this may take hard work and
organisation the end result is incredibly gratifying. YCS is about recognising issues around us and
working together to make a difference!
Cheryl, Shalom College Campus Minister

5. 2018 IN
YCW AUSTRALIA
2018 What A Year!
It is crazy to think that we have already arrived at the end of 2018, after what can only be described
as a whirlwind year of consolidation and transformation for the YCW across Australia.
There were obstacles that deserve no sugar coating, which had been overcome by a re-invigorated
and now complete, National Team. These challenges are overshadowed by the dedication and
never-fading commitment of our YCW Leaders and Members and perhaps especially of our local
and National Mentors, without whom, this movement would not exist.
There were even tears… of laughter as we gathered in December and got to know our newest team
members. Led by our fearless National President, Elizabeth McFarlane YCW now exists in
Parramatta, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne. We have doubled in size since December 2017, going
from 2 local movements, to 4 but our expansion and growth has been intentional and has been the
result of a National Wide Review of Life over the course of two years and it has not ended yet.
In the coming year, we work towards our 2020 Vision, with a commitment to support the YCS and a
new founded partnership with Catholic Mission.
Marilyn, YCW Youth Liaison Officer
DID YOU SEE?
WE HAVE A NEW LOGO!
At National Conference in January, students from around Australia voted on changing the YCS logo.
After a variety of in-depth discussions and consultations throughout the year, we made the switch!
We understand that our previous logo has a rich history and is identifiable amongst past and
present members internationally, however we also value change and the necessity to remain
relevant. We believe our new logo captures the youthful, joyful energy of YCS, appeals to a new
generation, and emphasises Joseph Cardijn's method, the Review of Life.
Thank you to all of those that took part in our consultation and voting processes, we value your
feedback.

6. WANT TO SEE YCS IN YOUR
SCHOOL OR PARISH?
We are always excited to welcome new members, and would love for you to get involved!
YCS is open to all high school students.
If there is a YCS worker in your diocese, contact them via email:
townsville@aycs.org.au
perth@aycs.org.au
adelaide@aycs.org.au
parramatta@aycs.org.au
If there isn’t a YCS worker in your diocese, you can contact the national YCS office:
office@aycs.org.au
or you can message us on Facebook!
Just search for “Australian YCS”
Townsville, QLD
Adelaide, SA
Perth, WA Parramatta, NSW
Melbourne, VIC
Bundaberg, QLD
Student run, Australia-wide
YCS is an international movement, present in over 80 countries, that empowers secondary school
students to take action based on what they believe, in their student reality.
YCS gives students the chance to be agents of change themselves. When we as students take
ownership and responsibility for our movement it allows us to develop the skills needed to lead an
organisation as well as those needed to play an active leadership role in our community.

7. Page left intentionally blank for print

8. “You don't find leaders -
you form them”
- Joseph Cardijn