YCS Leaders Shaping the Future of NSW

YCS and YCW forms leaders through the famous see-judge-act method by reflecting on the signs of the times through Gospel values. Young students and young workers put their faith into daily action and no more so have two YCS leaders from the Parramatta Diocese who have recently taken part in the NSW Youth Parliament during the July school holidays.

The Youth Parliament is coordinated by the Y NSW and has been operating for over 20 years in NSW. With a focus on leadership and advocacy, the program enables high school students in years 10 to 12 to build confidence, develop leadership skills, engage with civic leadership, policy development, and democratic parliamentary debate.

YCS leaders, Taylah Cowley from St Columba's Catholic College Springwood and Sudeep Velagapudi from St Luke’s Catholic College in Marsden Park have been able to build on their leadership first developed in their school YCS groups by learning how to create Youth Bills with recommendations on issues for change. These are debated during a mock sitting week in NSW Parliament House with Members of Parliament invited to chair.

Taylah Cowley

Taylah was appointed as the Member for the Blue Mountains and Shadow Minister for Women's Affairs. Taylah is a year 12 student at St Columba's Catholic College Springwood and is the YCS National Representative.

Taylah says that serving in the Youth Parliament has been an “an incredible opportunity to advocate, grow skills and make life-long connections.”

Taylah’s dedication, leadership and advocacy also didn’t go unnoticed either as she was named Youth Parliamentarian of the Year!

Sudeep Velagapudi

Sudeep was appointed as the Youth MP for Londonderry and Youth Minister for Health. Sudeep was also the lead sponsor of the Health and Medical Research Committee in the Youth Parliament. Sudeep is a year 11 student at St Luke’s Catholic College, Marsden Park and the YCW’s National Secretary.

Sudeep commented that “as we finish up the 2025 NSW Youth Parliament Sitting Week I am filled with an immense gratitude. I feel honoured beyond words to have been able to be Youth MP for Londonderry and Youth Minister for Health. I thank all my AMAZING fellow Youth Parliamentarians and @the.ynswyp for this once-in-a- lifetime opportunity. I would also like to thank the great people at @sydwestmulticulturalservices and @blacktowncitycouncil for their support and sponsorships. But most of all I look forward to the future with confidence that NSW is in good hands.

"This is an amazing opportunity to represent the young people of NSW's concerns regarding health in our state and I aim to do just that. I thank my committee and the 2025 YP for this opportunity!"