New Zealand young writers converged on Wellington from Auckland, Cambridge, Nelson, Christchurch and Wellington of course, where Sophia Sinclair challenged them to consider what they were engaged in when writing their articles.
On four separate occasions Sophia Sinclair had the conference delegates spilt into small groups to consider various aspects of this task. Such was the response to Sophia Sinclair's presentation that Sophia is also presenting this same workshop to the 2014 Australian / New Zealand Young Writer Conference on the Gold Coast in September.
The conference MC was Auckland young writer Casey Murray a corporate marketing guru led the day's proceedings. To kick off the conference each young writer gave a brief account of themselves, who they were, where they were from and the like. This was followed by an explanation of the annual Basil Sellers Young Writer Awards in September on the Gold Coast.
Brad Mills, a young writer with Rhema Media in Auckland followed with a detailed account of Christian Today, it's reach, the nature of the young writer program and its readership and how Press Service International fits within Christian Today which is based in London UK and with an Australian wing.
Sam Burrows then spoke to the conference on the NZ young writers leadership groups reflections who met the previous evening so as to consolidate the NZ young writer project.
Christina Tyson, New Zealand Panellist for the Basil Sellers Young Writer Awards re-presented the New Zealand 2013 Young Writer Awards before their peers – Daniel Jang (Wellington), Sam Burrows (Auckland), Casey Murray (Auckland) and Sophia Sinclair (Christchurch).
After the delicious pizza lunch sponsored by the Salvation Army, Sophia Sinclair led her 70 minute session followed by the two final speakers who reflected on the New Zealand young writer program and the day conference.
Two final speakers
Tony Dunkerley and Sam Burrows who spoke in Melbourne at the 2013 awards conference last September were again the tag team for this New Zealand young writer conference.
Tony Dunkerley the former Assistant Coach Australian Joey's Soccer, President Football Victoria, Commissioner for Junior Football, Under 21 Victorian Coach / Under age Australian / Victorian Teams. His speciality is mentoring. Tony Dunkerley has been on many of Well-Being Australia's Country Town Tour ministry trips to regional and rural Australia.
A UK Multi-National Corporate Australian Managing Director, a very spritely 70 year old, as ever held his young writer audience. He has offered to assist in the financing of an interactive web site so as to make it easier for the New Zealand young writers to promote their writing. In this young writer Tash McGill is instrumental.
Sam Burrows finished up the conference. Sam is an Auckland youth pastor, graduate, musician, singer, song writer, recording artist, youth mentor, theologically reflective, philosophically attune to secular directions, former school teacher.
Once again he reflected on the New Zealand culture and how the New Zealand young writers work with and through this within their article philosophy in presenting the good-news of Jesus Christ. Sam Burrows has now taken time out of ministry to 2015 so as to reflect further of these issues.
Casey Murray finished up the proceedings with a closing prayer. Tomorrow's we can view the art 'table top' works presented to last year's New Zealand Basil Sellers Young Writers awards.
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 www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html