The 2019 young writers annual conference set for Saturday 10 August at the Craigieburn Salvation Army (75 Interlink Dr) has its program established ready for another wonderful gathering of young writers.
There have been over these years 250 young people enjoy an international column in Christian Today a project jointly coordinated with Press Service International. Currently there are 105 young writers, some of whom have been writing for 10 years, others just started.
The nature of such a young writer program is that some writer for 1-2 years, others 3-4 years, others 5 or more years. They write once every 5 weeks – 10 articles a year. There are 5 weeks in each Cycle and there are 10 Cycles a year. Do the maths, that leaves 2 weeks left over, these are filled in the summer break with ‘Best Articles.’
The program runs smoothly with a wonderful team of ‘behind the scenes’ people who ensure young writers are advised when their article is due along with an editor and a photo selector. These are divided into 8 different groups. It all works to a plan.
Highlights from previous conferences
Annual young writer conference MC is Russell Modlin from the Sunshine Coast who woos the young people each year as is his custom with his side-kicks Rebecca Moore (Sunshione Coast) and Sam Gillespie (Sydney).
Last year’s plenary speakers in Christchurch were Tim Neman a former young writer and award winner and now a Journalist with Fairfax NZ. The other was Daniel Jang the inaugural NZ Basil Sellers winner in 2013 and now a senior writer. In additional small groups after lunch we heard from NZ foundation Panellist Bishop Brian Carrell.
In 2017 we heard from Mark Furler editor of the Sunshine Coast Daily and Groups Editor for News Limited. Blogger John Lemmon als spoke on the statistics associated with Blogging. In 2014 and 2015 we had Sophia Sinclair speak of writing in this program along with Jeremy Susited of Cambridge NZ speaking on challenges. The late Tony Dunkerley spoke in 2013 on the dynamics of serving the Lord in this manner.
young writers conference
2019 plenary speakers in Melbourne
The two morning sessions –
First, Peter and Jo Brookshaw - illustrating literary and art evangelism
Second, Mark Rusic a top notch writer on the values of mentoring
Mark is designing his session with two lots of small groups
The afternoon session is as in previous years – Russell Modlin, Rebecca Moore and Sam Gillespie having an around session then dividing into groups coordinated by these three.
There is morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea provided.
At 4.00pm are the annual awards. Young writers are coming from overseas, New Zealand and Australia. This is a big deal!
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html