Australian young writer Thomas Devenish of Hobart and New Zealand's Tim Shallard of Auckland have won the 2016 Basil Sellers Theological Awards at the Press Service International (PSI) young writers conference in Sydney on the weekend.
The Press Service International program sees 85 young writer's from around the world published in Christian Today – which is part of CMCI – Christian Media Corporation International, the largest Christian news provider around the world.
Traditionally, the Theological Award winner has been in the top echelon of young writers as marked by the Panellists from January to July allocating points out of 10 for each article.
In each case, Thomas Devenish of Australia and Tim Shallard of New Zealand have shown a depth in thinking and moreover, a skill set of explanatory concepts that make practical applications. The Theological Awards are determined by a small team of theologians coordinated by Dr Mark Tronson.
Thomas Devenish's marked articles
14.6.16 - The Heffalump
10.5.16 - Skipping to commercials
5.4.16 - Smorgasbord
1.3.16 - The flat fledging
26.1.16 - Generosity
Tim Shallard's marked articles
29.6.16 - Dynamite for a battle-torn planet
25.5.16 - Neighbourhood Beatitudes
20.4.16 - I did a bad thing
16.3.16 - What helps you be creative
10.2.16 - Beautiful tensions
Basil Sellers Awards
Mr Basil Sellers AM has been a long term supporter of Well-Being Australia (under which the PSI program functions) and our ministries for 30 years, establishing those links when I was the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years.
Over these many years Basil Sellers has funded Well-Being Australia elite athlete respite facilities which also encompasses missionaries needing rest and recuperation – Moruya, Tweed Heads and Laguna Quays.
Mr Sellers has funded art galleries – Moruya and Tweed Heads, along with art prizes in Moruya, Melbourne's famous $100,000 Sport-Art Prize and more recently since 2013 the Basil Sellers Midge Point Art Prize (Laguna Quays).
He has supported Country Town Tours with athletes and coaches to rural Australia along with other ministry projects.
He initiated the Basil Sellers Young Writer $1000 awards in 2013 for the Panellist's top award. The Theological Award is $500 to both Thomas and Tim.
Basil Sellers Theological Winners
2013 - Sam Burrows – Auckland
2014 - Jeremy Suisted - Cambridge
2015 - Sam Manchester – Sydney, Andrew Sinclair - Christchurch
2016 - Thomas Devenish - Hobart, Tim Shallard - Auckland
Thomas Devenish
Thomas Devenish lives in Hobart, Tasmania. He works as a motion designer and enjoys the diverse experiences life has to offer, from wake-boarding to curling up with a good book on a rainy day.
Thomas Devenish's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/thomas-devenish.html
Tim Shallard
Tim Shallard a co-director of Mosaic Workshop a shared creative space in central Auckland. He is a part owner of Crave Café, founder of a cider company, studies theology at Carey Baptist College, runs a poetry collective. His passions include coffee, community, and living the dream.
Tim Shallard's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/tim-shallard.html
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.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html