Talisa Pariss from Brisbane and Tim Newman from Christchurch have won the 2016 Basil Sellers 'M & D Tronson' Australian and New Zealand Consistency Awards at the Press Service International (PSI) young writers conference held in Sydney.
The Press Service International program sees these Australian and New Zealand young writer's articles published in 'Christian Today' – which is part of CMCI – Christian Media Corporation International, the largest Christian news provider around the world.
To ascertain a winner each year, six panellists marked all the Australian and altogether different six panellists all the Kiwi young writers' articles from January to July allocating points out of 10 for each article.
In effect, the Mark and Delma Tronson Consistency Awards is second place as marked by the Panellists.
Talisa Pariss's marked articles
23.6.16 - It's okay to be afraid
19.5.16 - Dear Perfection. You suck.
14.4.16 - Celebration in the darkness
10.3.16 - When you hate your calling
4.2.16 - The big fat Greek meaning of life
Tim Newman's marked articles
1.7.16 - Love and tolerance
27.5.16 - Turning on the lights
19.4.16 - Is ISIS Islamic?
15.3.16 - Why Theology matters
9.2.16 - Christianity and the Walking Dead
Australian Panellists
Gavin Lawrie - Retired Barrister from Tweed Heads
Rev Eric Polis - Retired Australian missionary
Dr Deidre Tronson - Retired Chemistry academic, Sydney
Mr John Skinner - Retired Journalist, Warwick
Mrs Aira Chilcott - Retired Science Teacher, Canberra
Ms Vicki Nunn - Editor of SPAG magazine, Gympie
New Zealand Panellists
Brian Carrell - Retired Anglican Bishop, Christchurch
Mrs Liz Hay - Retired Editor, Journalist, Writer, Christchurch
Dr Deidre Tronson - Retired Chemistry academic, Sydney
Mr Brent Costley - Retired Teacher, North Palmerston
Ms Tash McGill - Professional Manager, Youth Director, Auckland
Mr Peter Rope - Professional book-seller and bookologist
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 many 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 after the New Zealand young writer connection was initiated in 2012.
Consistency Australian Winners
2013 - Laura Veloso – Melbourne
2014 - Sarah Young - Melbourne
2015 - Jeremy Dover – Melbourne, Charlie Goiris – Melbourne, Rebecca Moore – Sunshine Coast
2016 - Talisa Parris - Brisbane
Consistency New Zealand
2013 - Casey Murray – Auckland, Sophia Sinclair – Christchurch
2014 - Sophia Sinclair – Christchurch
2015 - Brad Mills – Christchurch, Tim Newman – Christchurch
2016 - Tim Newman - Christchurch
Talisa Pariss
Talisa Pariss is the co-ordinator of the school-based Louder Theatre Company, teaching drama, communication skills and confidence to kids. When she's not pretending for a living, she can be found indulging in any kind of creativity she can get her hands on.
Talisa Pariss's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/talisa-pariss.html
Tim Newman
Tim Newman lives in Christchurch, New Zealand. He holds an MA in History (focusing on attitudes towards warfare in Islam and Christianity).
Tim Newman's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/tim-newman.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