The Press Service International young writer program in conjunction with Christian Today has annual awards, indeed celebrated at the recent Christchurch conference – these are determined by different sets of panellists.
These are the people who read and mark the articles – this covers the first six months of each year – these points determine the winners.
New Panellists for 2019
Back in 2017 the Awards Commission separated 18-30 year olds for the Basil Sellers Awards from those over 31-39 not-so-young writers, and a different set of panellists are required for these.
With a number of these hard working panellists moving on in 2018, some who have served for five years, it was required to find additional panellists for 2019.
Australian and Sport panellists are unchanged.
New Zealand panellists required one panellist
International panellists required four
Over 31s panellists required quite a number.
Australian Panellists - unchanged
Gavin Lawrie
Aira Chilcott
Vicki Nunn
Laura Veloso
Kandima Awendila
New Zealand Panellists -
Brian Carrell
Liz Hay
Wayne Graham
Sarah Richards
Christina Tyson
Internationals Panellists
Vic Matthews
Mark Flippance
Darren Lawson
Sean Spencer
Tim Everton
Sport Panellists - unchanged
Peter Nelson
Simon Farrer
Tim Wilson
John Skinner
Josh Robbie
Over 31s Panellists - 3 to come
Tim McDonald
John Skinner
Rex Dale
Ian Aylward
John Yates
Wayne Walters
Jan Archibald
a former panellist – 2012 SCG
The new panellists
New Zealand
Christina Tyson
2013 foundation NZ Panellist Christina has returned as a Panellist.
International Panellists
Mark Flippance - Adelaide
former young writer who has been on numerous short term missions
Darren Lawson - Rockhampton
former missionary to Russia, Road Cyclist Barcelona Olympian, Headmaster Christian School.
Sean Spencer – Midge Point
Laguna Quays Respite helper, engineering business
Tim Everton
former young writer, 2016 Australian Basil Sellers Award
Over 31s Panellists
John Skinner - Warwick
former Australian Panellist, 25 years photo journalist Warwick (newspaper) and training cadet journalists as required in Sydney. President Warwick RSL Sub-Branch.
Rex Dale - Melbourne
retired professional, Christian author, One Day in Melbourne mission.
Ian Aylward - Gladstone
Baptist minister, hosted 2014 young writer conference, Tweed Heads
John Yates - Perth
WA Anglican minister and missionary, a senior writer
Wayne Walters - Melbourne
VIC Anglican Minister
Jan Archibald - Sydney
Foundational supporter of this ministry
Young people 18-30 years interested in writing for Christian Today with your own column please connect with Dr Mark Tronson timeout@bushorchestra.com 0419 917 713
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