The Australasian Religious Press Association (ARPA) at their annual conference releases the judges awards and comments in the professional booklet. This year in Christchurch last month was no different.
A lot has already been written and said about the 2019 major awards but little if anything on the 22 Category Awards. This is the ‘third’ article - these have extended over three articles due to limited space here.
Best Cover Newspaper - GOLD “The Promise” by Robyn Davis, the Melbourne Anglican..
Best Review - GOLD “Enlivening but limited exploration of ‘more’ mantra – by Rev Bob Mitchell, the Melbourne Anglican.
Best Design Newspaper – The Judges did not award a GOLD, but the SILVER went to The Southern Cross, Adelaide, editor, Jenny Brinkworth.
Best Headline - The Judges did not award a GOLD nor did they award a BRONZE, but the silver went to Journey Queensland (UCA) - “Mine and Your: Sharing tomorrow’s wealth”. The Judges’ commented - ‘An unexciting collection of entries’.
Nor did the Judges award any entry in the Categories - “Best Social Media Campaign” or “Best Humours Article”.
The Ramon Williams Youth Scholarship was not awarded in 2019 as no entry followed the ‘proper script’ as the applicants themselves needed to write their own application – along with why they would benefit from attending ARPA. 2019 entries were written and submitted by someone else – Oh No!
Happy Bronze - the Press Service International young writer Matthew Thornton from Auckland who was awarded BRONZE in the category of ‘New Best Writer’ – the judges said of his article which was titled “Overcoming Shame”
“This article has a message from which many in times of doubt and trouble could find strength. Don’t give up on yourself, with faith find strength and hope”.
As the 2019 ARPA conference was held in Christchurch, New Zealand, foundation Kiwi young writer panellist Major Christina Tyson (Salvation Army) selected the seven young writer nominations permitted from the Kiwi young writer articles. Of these, Matthew Thornton was acknowledged at this highest level.
The ARPA sessions of 2019
Friday 6 September
11.45am - Welcome and blessing led by Ngai Tahu
1.30pm - Crafting a vision for ARPA’s future
3.00pm - When a City Falls – Gerard Smyth, film on earthquake
4.45pm - Salvation Army WarCry team, earthquake edition
Saturday 7 September
9.00am AGM
11.00am - Student Volunteer Army – the earthquake
1.30pm - people of Christchurch told their stories - earthquake
3.30pm - Faith based media –racist responses and refugees
6.30pm - Annual ARPA Awards Dinner
Thanks to Sophia Sinclair and her team who put the 2019 conference together. Sophia was elected President of ARPA at the AGM after Peter Bentley retired on (2012-19). Peter March was the ARPA photographer, editor Adelaide Anglican. Liz Harris stepped down (80) as the Executive Officer (2012-19). Auckland’s Julie Belding was made a Life Member of ARPA.
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. Dr Mark Tronson’s Press Service International in 2019 was awarded the Australasian Religious Press Association’s premier award, The Gutenberg.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html