AFTER venturing nearly 4000km through three states, on planes, trains, trams and buses, three young people from Mareeba parish in far north Queensland, arrived in the Victorian Alps to take part in the seventh Augustinian Youth Festival from July 5-8 in Harrietville.
Arthur Morris, Jacinta Tonizzo and Lauren Conroy joined with 35 other young people and eight Augustinians to participate in reflection, prayer, sharing, song and celebration. We shared meals and stories, fun and experiences, faith and friendship, making choices, making decisions, making friends and making a lot of noise!
But apart from interacting with each other, we also had opportunities to interact with our beautiful environment, and also to interact with our God. It was felt by many that the Augustinian Youth Festival was a truly wonderful and beneficial event for every young person to participate in.
For the three of us from Mareeba, it was an adventure across great distance that brought us closer and stronger in our faith. We also had an opportunity to encounter a very cold winter and learn how to keep warm, why bathroom tiles are heated and how to throw the best snowballs.
Our snow and skiing adventure at Mt Hotham ended our Victorian journey and we are now back at home with warmer days and fond memories.
Lauren Conroy
