President: Jessica Tan

Come to think of it, ever since I came to Melbourne, COSDU has become my Melbourne, I have been in the committee for the past 2 years and i’m honoured to have the opportunity to be President.

To be able to serve God and his people.


What is important to know is that, COSDU is not just another university club. It’s not just about social activities, although we certainly enjoy these together. It’s not just about writing facebook comments on millions of photos. It is a catholic youth group - THE ONLY ONE ON CAMPUS. The most important thing is that our group is based in faith.
And we need to remember, as pope Benedict says, we do not impose our faith but we propose our faith through our actions and through who we are.

Being president has certainly thought be a lot of things, it hasn’t just thought me how to lead, but is has thought me how to serve God’s people.


There are many things to be planned such as monthly meetings, ensuring everything is running smoothly, updating our spiritual directors, but most importantly, being president is about helping the committee grow in faith with one another, getting to know their strengths, bringing them close together, ( which is very important is you will be working together for the next year), ensuring the members feel that COSDU is inclusive, welcoming, personally fulfilling, faith enhancing, safe and supportive for all.

We had our ups and downs, it certainly gets quite stressful but what isn’t?

Because we base our faith around prayer and our faith, everything turns out great in the end. As people always say God will not give us something that we cannot handle.


And remember this, as Mother Teresa said: we cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.

So if you feel the calling to run, go for it, god doesn’t require us to succeed: he only requires that we try and we do our best.

And if you every feel stressed or down, keep in mind that true holiness consists in doing god’s will with a smile.

The committee is like the story of the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd is the one who really knows the sheep and their needs, and is ready to serve them-even to lay down his life for them. Being in a committee is like the Good Shepherd – not just doing a job, not just keeping COSDU going, but really caring for COSDU, knowing every person in COSDU and their needs, and wanting to serve them, like Jesus who didn’t come to BE SERVED, but to SERVE.


All the best to all of you who are thinking of running, this is a great opportunity, so as Father Binh said last night, this might be your vocation, you never never know, if you never
never go. =)

Good luck
Jess..