At 23, Allison Tyquin is an NCYC veteran.

The National Christian Youth Convention (NCYC) is held by the Uniting Church every two years in different locations across Australia; ncyc11 at the Gold Coast will be Allison’s fifth convention.

“Even though I was told about NCYC before leaving for my first convention, I didn’t really know what to expect,” said Allison.

“My first whole convention gathering was amazing—just so many young people worshipping together.

“The environment that is created at NCYC is like nothing I had experienced before—everyone is so friendly and you can be stupid and not have to worry what other people think of you.”

When asked what would be in her NCYC survival kit, the top thing on Allison’s list is not chocolate, a pillow or her mobile phone, but “to make the most of every opportunity—you never know what you might take away from it.”

It’s this attitude that led to Allison’s most memorable experience of NCYC, during “submersions” at NCYC 2009 in Melbourne.

“During submersions, everyone goes out into the community in groups or spends time learning about something important within the community,” said Allison.

“A group came out to us and set up a simulated activity on asylum seekers.

“Some people played asylum seekers in Australian detention centres, others of us played lawyers advising the asylum seekers what they should do.

“It really showed us how difficult and lengthy the process is and helped us to better understand what it would be like to be in that position.”