The 2016 Press Service International (PSI) annual young writer's conference and awards presentation is on Saturday 13 August at the Salvation Army's Stanmore House, Stanmore, Sydney running from 9.00am to 6.00pm.
The young writer program with 85 young people from Australia, New Zealand and throughout the world was initiated with Christian Today in 2009 with five young writers on sport which expanded with 'comment' articles on a wide range of topics from reflections, theology, IT, music, philosophy, living, budgetary issues ....
The 2016 conference program has been planned by the young writer leadership group of Russell Modlin, Sophia Sinclair and Sam Gillespie with Sophia the young writer's editor, as co-ordinator.
Friday evening 12 August is a fellowship with Panellists who 'give a points mark' to the young writer articles for the Basil Sellers Awards.
Saturday 13 August - Sydney
9 am arrival time.
9.20am start: Dr Mark Tronson and Russell Modlin
Welcome and introduction.
Presentation of PSI Young Writers' Vision Statement.
9.40am: REFLECTION
Andrew Sinclair: The Word Became Flesh—A God Who Communicates
10 am: FIRST SESSION
John Sandeman: Creating Great Content
Tash McGill: Developing a Writer's Hide—The Art of Robust and On-going Critique
11 am: Morning tea
11.30am: SECOND SESSION (choose a workshop)
Nikki Thompson: Creative Comment—Using Creative Technique to Inspire Comment Writing
Charis Jackson: Using Story in Comment Writing
12.30pm: Lunch
This afternoon session combines the "One Afternoon in Sydney" (a-la 'One Day in Melbourne') for mission agency / society publication editors, Christian bloggers and small Christian media outlets.
1.30pm: THIRD SESSION (Choose a workshop)
Josh Reid—Faith and Media
Justin Monaghan—Creativity and Faith
2pm: PANEL DISCUSSION
Hosted by Sophia Sinclair, young writer's editor
· Thomas Devenish - Hobart
· Justin Monaghan - Adelaide
· Tash McGill - Auckland
· Charis Jackson - Brisbane
· Josh Reid - Wollongong
3.30pm: Afternoon tea
4pm: AWARDS
6pm: Closing reflection
Rev Bob Thomas: co-host One Afternoon in Sydney
Conferences
The initial conference was with the young sport writers in 2010 on the Gold Coast, 2011 in Tweed Heads, 2012 were State based conferences then 2013 saw conferences in Auckland and Christchurch and an annual conference in Melbourne.
2014 saw a New Zealand conference in Wellington then the annual conference in Tweed Heads and last year (2015) the annual conference was held in Sydney.
The Basil Sellers awards were established in 2013.
The young writer ministry falls within Well-Being Australia with the young writer leadership group meeting with Well-Being Australia supporter Mr Basil Sellers AM in his Sydney home in March last year.
This has led to significant support to the young writer annual conferences with donations to assist with air-fare scholarships to assist the young writers flying into Sydney along with conference expenses.
The 'One Afternoon in Sydney' conference as a follow on from April's 'One Day in Melbourne' - mission agency / societies publication editors, Christian bloggers and small Christian media outlets as from 1.30pm of the program.
To register for One Afternoon in Sydney
Dr Mark Tronson – Email timeout@bushorchestra.com Phone 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.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html