Press Service International's young writer program has a set of Panellists who mark the articles to determine for the annual young writer conferences for the Best of the Best young writers. The final count.
Christchurch's the Rt Rev Brian Carrell a foundation New Zealand young writer panellist and Wellington’s Salvation Army’s Major Christina Tyson another foundation panellist have followed through this process since 2013.
The Australian original panellists included Rev Euan McDonald from Mackay Queensland, Dr Deidre Tronson of Sydney and retired Barrister Gavin Lawrie, John Skinner .
Then things got complicated as the numbers of young writers grew and separate groups of panellists were established
Australia
New Zealand
Sport
By 2015 there were international young writers and they too required a separate group of panellists and by 2018 there were Over 31 writers and they too required another group of young writers – in fact two groups, one for Australian Over 31s and NZ and International Over 31s.
The panellist situation was expanding before our eyes.
2020 Panellists
Australians
Kandima Awendila
Cheryl McGrath
Gavin Lawrie
Vicki Nunn
Aira Chilcott
New Zealand
Brian Carrell
Liz Hay
Christina Tyson
Sarah Richards
Wayne Graham
Internationals
Vic Matthews
Darren Lawson
Travis Barnes
Alex Gillespie
Tony de Kevittt
Sport
Peter Nelson
Simon Farrer
Tim Wilson
Josh Robbie
John Skinner
Over 31s Aust
Ashley Saunders
Tim McDonald
John Skinner
Margaret Pearce
Colin Miles
Over 31s NZ / Internationals
Rex Dale
John Yates
Christina Tyson
Graham McDonald
Richard Attiech
These are the people who mark the articles for the annual Basil Sellers Awards.
In 2020 their system has changed from marking every article – a massive task.
The panellists have adopted the Australasian Religious Press Association’s marking process, and in 2020 each young writer will mark each young writer’s considered BEST article. The panellists will mark out of 25 to ensure there are no multiple winners.
2019 Basil Sellers Winners
Australia
Kristen Dang, Roden Meares, Roydon Ng
New Zealand
Rebecca Howan
Internationals
Daniel Thomas
Sport
David Goodwin
Over 31s Aust
Jo Fuller
Over 31s NZ
Emma McGeorge
Over 31s Internationals
Paul Lewis
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 25 books, and enjoys writing. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand. Dr Mark Tronson’s Press Service International in 2019 was awarded ‘The Gutenberg’ - the Australasian Religious Press Association’s premier award. In September 2020 Summer Moore presented her commission portrait of Dr Mark Tronson holding the Gutenberg plaque. He and David Chang editor of Christian Today together bought the young writer ministry into fruition in 2009. In 2011 Mark established Laguna Quays Respite (Whitsundays) for missionary respite and replicated at Aldinga Beach 2016 (Adelaide) and Greens Beach Bass Straight (TAS). His ministry is honoured all these years by Christian philanthropist Mr Basil Sellers AM. He is married to Delma (44 years), with four adult married children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html
