Liz Hay, New Zealand Panellist
The Press Service International young writer program in conjunction with Christian Today has annual awards – these are determined by different sets of panellists.
These are the people who read and then mark the articles - for the first six months of 2018 - so as to determine the winners – then presented at the Christchurch conference on 1 September.
They have six weeks of marking remaining for the 2018 award points.
Panellists Commission
During October and November Bishop Brian Carrell chaired the Panellists Commission where the panellists saw the current system working well, There were a couple of suggestions – original articles only be considered for each writer's “Best Article”. If at all possible, the panellists commit to each and every Cycle rather than skipping one or two.
The 2018 annual young writer awards get presented on 1 September in Christchurch and these various awards are determined by the Panellists. Articles get marked out of 1-10 points.
The major awards are the Basil Sellers Awards for 1st place, a youth development award and the Tony Dunkerley Sport Writer Award. A 2nd place award may be considered.
The growing number of young writers will naturally place time consuming pressure on the panellists - and with the Awards Commission separating 18-30 year olds for the Basil Sellers Awards from those over 31-40 not-so-young writers, a different set of panellists are required for these.
Vic Matthews International young writer panellist
Australian Panellists
Gavin Lawrie
Aira Chilcott
Vicki Nunn
Laura Veloso
Kandima Awendila
New Zealand Panellists
Brian Carrell
Liz Hay
Sophia Sinclair
Wayne Graham
Sarah Richards
Internationals Panellists
Vic Matthews
Euan McDonals
Daniel Stott
Nathanael Yates
Danielle Stott
Sport Panellists
Peter Nelson
Simon Farrer
Tim Wilson
John Skinner
Josh Robbie
Panellists for the over 31's writers
Tim McDonald
Talisa Pariss
David Luschwitz
Laura Veloso, Australian Panellist
The policy is as-far-as-possible to have current or former young writers as Panellists – in 2018 these young writers are Panellists.
Panellists as former young writers
Laura Veloso - Sunshine Coast
Kandima Awendila - Gold Coast
Sophia Sinclair - Levin NZ
Daniel Stott - Melbourne
Nathanael Yates - Perth
Tim Wilson - Masters College, LA
Danielle Stott - Melbourne
Josh Robbie - South Africa
Peter Rope - Auckland
Tim McDonald - Mackay
Talisa Pariss - Brisbane
David Luschwitz - Walgett
2018 looks to be a fabulous year of marking – a huge thankyou to our Panellists.
John Skinner, Sport Panellist
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