The Australasian Religious Press Association (ARPA) was to have held its 2020 annual conference in Perth 4-6 September, but now cancelled due to Covid 19.
Last year ARPA was held in Christchurch New Zealand, the year before in Brisbane and before that Auckland, every year somewhere - Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart, Brisbane, Canberra ……
The ARPA conferences have three aspects to it
First, the camaraderie of those in Christian media - many of us only ever see each other at ARPA. Year after year. It’s like a friendship forum. It’s delightful.
Second, the variety of sessions taking into account the wide diverse aspects of Christian media. These are fascinating, interesting, astonishing, bewildering, intentional …. need I go on.
Third, over the years various ones get elected to specific roles from the President to Communications to administration …. this current year, elected last year in Christchurch the President is New Zealander ‘Sophia Sinclair’. This story can be read in Christian Today
https://christiantoday.com.au/news/sophia-sinclair-elected-as-arpa-president.html
Annual Awards
Last year there were 21 categories for these ARPA media awards with judges getting selected articles from member publications from which determinations are drawn.
The premier award each year is the Gutenberg and in 2018 it was awarded to NZ Baptist Magazine and last year, this ministry, the young writers (Press Service International), for 10 years publishing specifically young writers in Christian Today. Highly acclaim.
Conference
The usual program runs along these lines
On the Friday
Lunch with denominational leaders
Afternoon sessions
Evening gathering cocktails
On the Saturday
Morning plenaries
Lunch
Afternoon sessions
Evening Banquet – Awards
On the Sunday
Morning Devotions
Accommodation
There are three options
First - the conference motels
Second - Other hotel options
Third - friends and relatives
ARPA Executive
Last week the ARPA executive met on-line and discussed the 2020 conference at length, finally deciding cancellation due to Covid 19 was the only realistic solution.
Therefore the, ARPA communiqué sent out, the Ramon Williams Youth Scholarship will not be awarded which provides funding to attend the conference.
But the annual Awards will be held. As to how and when will be advised at a later date.
Dr Mark Tronson - a 4 min video
Chairman – Well-Being Australia
Baptist Minister 44 years
- 1984 - Australian cricket team chaplain 17 years (Ret)
- 2001 - Life After Cricket (18 years Ret)
- 2009 - Olympic Ministry Medal – presented by Carl Lewis
- 2019 - The Gutenberg - (ARPA Christian Media premier award)
Gutenberg video - 2min 14sec
Married to Delma for 44 years with 4 children and 5 grand children
