Craigieburn, Melbourne
The 2019 young writers annual conference is set for this Saturday 10 August at the Craigieburn Salvation Army (75 Interlink Dr) and the young writers and the support are excited.
Previous conferences
2019 - Melbourne
2018 - Christchurch
2017 - Sunshine Coast
2016 - Sydney
2015 - Sydney
2014 - Tweed Heads
2013 - Melbourne
2012 - State conferences
2011 - Tweed Heads
2010 - Gold Coast
There have been over these years 250 young people enjoy an international column in Christian Today a project jointly coordinated with Press Service International. Currently there are 105 young writers, some of whom have been writing for 10 years, others just started.
The nature of such a young writer program is that some writer for 1-2 years, others 3-4 years, others 5 or more years. They write once every 5 weeks – 10 articles a year.
There are 5 weeks in each Cycle and there are 10 Cycles a year. Do the maths, that leaves 2 weeks left over, these are filled in the summer break with ‘Best Articles.’
The program runs smoothly with a wonderful team of ‘behind the scenes’ people who ensure young writers are advised when their article is due along with an editor and a photo selector. These are divided into 8 different groups. It all works to a plan.
Highlights from Christchurch 2018
The fellowship of young people from as far away as ambique and South Africa to all parts of New Zealand and the Australian States. Annual MC Russell Modlin from the Sunshine Coast wooed the young people as is his custom with his side-kicks Rebecca Moore (Sunshine Coast) and Sam Gillespie (Sydney).
Last year’s plenary speakers were Tim Neman a former young writer and award winner and now a Journalist with Fairfax NZ. The other was Daniel Jang the inaugural NZ Basil Sellers winner in 2013 and now a senior writer. In additional small groups after lunch we heard from NZ foundation Panellist Bishop Brian Carrell.
The annual awards are at 4.00pm. Everyone wants to know which of their articles’ the Panellists determined as their 2018 Best Article.
2019 at Craigieburn Sallies – Melbourne
At the end of the 2018 sessions Captain Peter Brookshaw welcomed everyone in 2019 to his Craigieburn Salvation Army venue with a very appealing presentation. Peter is a world recognized international blogger, he serves as the Week 5 editor and is an Over 31s writer, and the winner of that category last year in Christchurch.
Melbourne in last August and September has the AFL Finals and the only satisfactory date for us was Saturday 10 August as Peter Brookshaw had bookings before and after at the facility.
The program ‘set-up’ is the same as previous years
Morning sessions - Plenary’s
Afternoon sessions - Small groups
4.00pm - Annual Awards
Towards the end of the lunch break Jeremy Dover, a member of the young writer Brain’s Trust and a 10 year writer, is presenting literary awards to his Waverley Christian College writer competition winners. This will be a highlight.
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