After early attempts to create the YCW by Kevin Kelly and others, the Australian YCW took off during the 1940s under the leadership of Fr Frank Lombard, Frank McCann and Ted Long.

1940:   Lombard experiments February 1940 - OCA in Melbourne for 14-18 yr olds.

1941:   YCW officially took over the Catholic Boys' Legion.

            Fr John F Kelly becomes the official correspondent of the Australian YCW with Brussels

            Priests Committee

            Men's Extension Committee

1943:    First National Council

1944:    Conflicts with BA Santamaria

1947:    Ted Long participates in the IYCW Congress in Montreal, Canada

1949: