Preparations are underway for International Youth Forum (IYF) and Spectacular (SPEC) 2027, and we're excited to introduce the team who will accompany and support our Australian youth delegation.
With 12 young people registered and preparing to take part in this opportunity to build friendships, deepen their faith and connect with the wider Community of Christ, a dedicated group of leaders is getting ready to help make the experience meaningful and memorable.
Kristie Woodward will serve as delegation leader, joined by David Lonsdale, Taliesin Law and Amelie Woodward. Kass Unger will also join the team from SPEC onwards.
Each brings their own gifts, experiences and enthusiasm for supporting young people, and we're grateful for their willingness to serve.
Get to know the team! Read their introductions below and learn more about the people who will be accompanying our young people on this exciting journey.
Kristie Woodward, Delegation Leader
I’m Kristie, will be 49 on the trip, and I’m from Melbourne.
I’m a qualified teacher (Biology, Science and Singing). I have a life-long passion for learning and personal growth and like to challenge myself on a new professional path when I feel led.
I love singing in choirs, drinking coffee, celebrating Christmas and Aurora chasing. I’m always dreaming up my next overseas trip (18 countries so far).
I am a Community of Christ lifer, always finding ways to get engaged and contribute. I led the 2024 Youth Pilgrimage trip to USA. I’m currently serving on the LEAD program team.
I’m looking forward to leading this fabulous group of youth on this adventure to discover more about themselves and their worldwide church.
David Lonsdale
I’m David Lonsdale, age 43 from Perth WA.
I’m currently unemployed but looking to get involved in breathwork and mindfulness- I am a master of reiki, and I’m looking to learn more modalities to help better myself and others.
My passions are self development, human psychology, energy modalities to better my health and mobility, and understanding myself on a deeper level so I can respond in this life from a place of authenticity.
I enjoy yoga, deep discussions and self reflection.
I’m a regular attendee of Perth’s Easter camps, and I am part of a discussion group that gathers once every few weeks.
I participated in IYF in 2001, so I’m looking forward to experiencing this again from a different perspective of support, meeting more youth of Australia and the world, and talking about ideas and sharing concepts around spirituality.
Taliesin Law
I’m Taliesin, 21, from Canberra/Sydney.
I have several jobs. I’m about to complete my Bacherlor of Arts in Film Production. I do a lot of theatre and musicals, and I’m big on art and design and acting in or working on short films!
I’m currently attending/involved in Tiona Reunion at the end of the year and IYF/SPEC next year.
I’m looking forward to leading and helping the youth in having as lovely an experience as I have had in my time, and I really do miss Minute Maid lemonade! 🍋
Amelie Woodward
My name is Amelie Woodward, I will be 21 years old on the trip and I live in Melbourne.
I am about to finish my second year of uni, studying a Bachelor of Biomedicine and a Diploma of French. I also work part time as a pool lifeguard.
In any spare time I have, I enjoy reading and baking. I'm passionate about music; I love to sing, play the saxophone and watch musical theatre.
I am heavily involved in church camps, recently attending Perth Easter Camps, Tiona Reunion Camps, and being a part of the leadership for Kids Camp and C+ Youth Camps. I am also a participant of the LEAD program with Community of Christ.
I attended the Pilgrimage '24 trip as a camper and had the time of my life. I'm so excited to provide a new group of teenagers the same incredible experience I had. I can't wait to show them how cool the international scale of our church is and guide them on a life changing journey.
Kass Unger
I’m Kass, will be 41 when we’re there, and I’m from Sydney.
I work as a minister at Community of Christ.
I enjoy playing netball, doing puzzles and collecting stamps (ok this last one I haven’t touched since I was 12, but it is still all stored at my parent’s house).
I’m involved in all of the things at Community of Christ.
I’m looking forward to the chance to share with so many long time international friends from similar events in the past and meeting new people from different places. I really like when the auditorium is lit up and changes colours, watching all the planning emerge into an actual thing that is better than imagined.