The astonishing success of the 2021 Russell Modlin and Rebecca Moore video awards presentation was such that it will continue into 2022.
To list the success of the video awards
The international young writers from around the world were able to view the 2021 annual awards.
Current international young writers come from
England, Canada, South Africa, West Indies, China, Pakistan, India, Philippines, Nigeria, USA, Korea …..
Likewise the current Kiwi young writers –
Christchurch, Dunedin, Nelson, Wellington, Upper Hutt, Taranaki, Auckland, Rotorua ….
With Covid reeking havoc with travel across Australia – it meant those unable to attend conferences could view the annual awards on video.
Hobart, Launceston, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Bendigo, Geelong, Wollongong, Canberra, Sydney, Banora Point, Ocean Shores, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast …..
More too
Getting young writers to a central location in previous years has been a logistical and financial nightmare.
In 2019 the last annual conference held - Melbourne where people came from –
Christchurch, Auckland, ambique, South Africa, Brisbane, Sydney, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Melbourne ….
The year before 2018 the annual young writer conference was held in Christchurch, NZ – people came from
Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast.
In 2020 the conference held on the Gold Coast – and was likewise on Zoom and in that instance people from around Australia, New Zealand and International destinations.
In 2021 to include everyone the awards video was produced by Jesse Moore.
Good sense
The move to the video annual awards has received much applause.
It raises other considerations -
New Zealand would like to host another conference as in Christchurch 2018.
Travel within Australia has uncertainty with State Premiers holding forth with border closure issues (proven to be at a drop of a hat).
The question being raised - can we ever hold another conference again? Are there other options?
There is a lot to consider as we plan the 2022 conference – slash - award presentations on video - and – or - duplicated live at the conference if held at all.