The Australian panellists in the Press Service International young writer program with Christian Today has a rich history determining the winners of the annual Australian Basil Sellers writers awards.
The 2017 Australian writer winning award is presented at the annual young writer awards on 12 August on the Sunshine Coast. The panellists mark the Australian young writers articles out of 10 points.
Australian Panellists
Gavin Lawrie
Aira Chilcott
Vicki Nunn
Deidre Tronson
Laura Veloso
Kandima Awendila
Gavin Lawrie
Gavin Lawrie is a retired barrister and country solicitor giving himself to Christian service all these years and now resides in Tweed Heads. Gavin is the author of the book: 'THE EVIDENCE OF EVOLUTION: Uncovering The Faulty Science Of Dawkins' Attack On Creationism'. He is married to Jan with two adult children and they are grandparents. Gavin has assisted Press Service International in various ways one of which has been to clarify to the young writer team how their ministry fits into the structure of its parent body, Well-Being Australia. Gavin Lawrie is a senior writer with Christian Today.
Aira Chilcott
Aira Chilcott B.Sc (Hons), M. Contemp Sci, Cert IV in Christian Ministry and Theology, Cert IV in Training and Evaluation, Grad Dip Ed., began her working life at the John Curtin School of Medical Research, investigating characteristics of cancer cells. Turning to teaching in the Christian school system provided opportunities to learn theology, more science, mission trips and explore the outdoors through bushwalking and other exploits. For many years Aira has led OM tours for young people to India. Now retired, volunteers at a nature park. Aira is married to Bill and they have three adult sons. Aria is also a senior writer with Christian Today.
Vicki Nunn
Vicki Nunn is an experienced writer and editor and the founding editor of SPAG magazine, an on-line magazine for Christians, Christian thinking, and for Christian young people who are singles to know they are precious to the Lord. Vicki Nunn has a wide network who have been in her orbit for many years although for some of that time quite ill and hospitalised. Last year Vicki made a house move from Gympie Qld to Rockhampton.
Deidre Tronson
Deidre Tronson is the sister-in-law of Press Service International's founder Mark Tronson. Deidre resides on a 50 acre farm with husband Kim near Camden NSW with a PhD and a university educator for many years retiring to become the friend of many seeking her tuition and professionalism. In this case, Deidre edited many of Mark's 24 books and reviewed his daily articles for some years and then has been helping the young writers since its inception in 2009. Deidre has been a panellist for many years developing professional relationships with some young writers.
Laura Veloso
Laura Veloso was raised in a Missions orientated home. Her grand-parents on her father's side served with WEC missions for many years and with her dad being in high tech media (radio and television) experienced home life across the nation. Laura Veloso at uni won a research scholarship to visit Bangladesh and met up with Baptist missions while there. Laura is married to John, they have three boys, was a foundation member of the young writers, won 2nd place young writer awards in 2013 and moved on in 2015. Laura has returned as a Panellist and helps with the young writer data base. They were in Melbourne, now on the Sunshine Coast.
Kandima Awendila
Kandima Awendila was born in Mozambique and migrated to Australia 14 years ago. Kandi lives and works as an IT Service Desk Engineer on the Gold Coast and serves the Lord in a variety of ways through her local church, particularly as a singer. Kandi is one of the most experienced young writers and has graciously filling in as an Australian panellist for Stephen Urmston who is 'snowed under' as it were.
The policy is as-far-as-possible to have current or former young writers as Panellists – in 2017 these 10 young writers are Panellists.
Panellists as former young writers
Laura Veloso
Stephen Urmston
Tash McGill
Peter Rope
Sophia Sinclair
Daniel Stott
Nathanael Yates
Tim Wilson
Rosie Timmins
Danielle Stott
Kandima Awendila
We're ready for another big year !
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