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AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC STUDENTS ASSOCIATION DECEMBER 2007 Well, talk about a “baptism by fire”! Firstly, it gives me great pleasure to report on the various Catholic student activities within Australia. As many faithful were made aware at our recent National Conference in Canberra, the Australian Catholic Students Association is a growing force within the Australian Church. On this note, I continue to thank all those who were involved both directly and indirectly with the ‘2028 Congress’ and our 60th Anniversary celebrations. The success of the Congress would not have been possible without their time and financial resources, to which the Association is deeply indebted. I also feel privileged to be elected as the National President of the Association for one of the most important years of Catholic Church’s history in Australia. Few can deny that there is definite need for university students’ contributions in preparation for the upcoming World Youth Day in 2008. Therefore, the inclusion of an ACSA representative on the WYD’s Diocesan and Youth Ministry Committee has been vital to promoting our agenda to the hard-working WYD 2008 team. Since the National Conference, ACSA also continues to be at the forefront in voicing our total opposition to a number of various issues centred around abortion and stem-cell research. These issues continue to be debated between the representatives of our various governments and gives us the opportunity to voice our opinion for the future of our great nation. I feel that the student voice is very powerful, and as educated individuals it is our duty to stand up against the pro-choice mentality that presently exists in our country. In early September, the National Executive met in Adelaide to discuss not only our Youth Festival application for the World Youth Day in 2008, but also the way forward for our Association in the next few years. During the weekend meeting we were also very fortunate to have dinner with Archbishop Phillip Wilson, the President of the Australian Catholic Bishop’s Conference. ACSA also continues to build in its intellectual mission since the re-conceptualisation of our previous journal Sentinel and subsequent recent release of our on-line journal New Springtime. It continues to grow beyond all expectations, and now we have even received international contributions. I urge all Catholic students to take an active interest in this venture by not only reading the articles on a diverse range of topics relevant to our faith, but by considering submitting your own thoughts or articles via the link on the website. I would also like to take this opportunity to note some international interest in our student work. In particular, I recently I caught up with some representatives from the World Youth Alliance, who are very keen to continue links with ACSA as they strive to promote the dignity of the human person and build solidarity among youth from all nations. Finally, I must express my gratitude for the continual support of my fellow members within the Association and the huge amount of effort from all our executive members and state representatives. It is my fervent wish that all of us really get behind ACSA’s Towards 2008 Campaign to activate all students and young adults for WYD. CAMILLUS O’KANE National President
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President's Report 
