The 2020 Panellists have completed their marking for the 2020 Young Writer Awards of Press Service International in conjunction with Christian Today.
This year the program was changed following the ARPA model whereby each young writer sends in their BEST article – what they consider to be their BEST article.
Herein lies one of the dilemmas from the young writers - did they select what they considered to be their BEST or did they select an article which they thought the Panellists might appreciate most.
These are the 2020 Panellists
Australian 18-30 years
Gavin Lawrie, Vicki Nunn, Cheryl McGrath, Kandima Awendila, Aira Chilcott
Gavin is a retired Barrister, Vicki editor of SPAG, Cheryl 2017 and 18 Basil Sellers winner, Kandima an IT engineer and Aira a retired educator.
Australian Over 31s
Ashley Saunders, Colin Miles, Margaret Pearce, John Skinner,
Ashley is CEO Barnabas Fund, Colin Miles IT, Margaret a retired educator, John Skinner Rodeo National Judge
Kiwi young writers – 18-30
Brian Carrell, Liz Hay, Christina Tyson, Wayne Graham, Sarah Richards
Brian is a retired Anglican Bishop, Liz Hay an editor, Christina a Sallies Editor, Wayne editor of the NZ Daily Encourager, Sarah an editor.
Internationals 18-30
Vic Matthews, Alex Gillespie, Travis Barnes, Darren Lawson, Tony de Kievitt
Vic is a theologian, Alex post grad, Travis a Pastor, Darren a Christian College Headmaster and 1992 Olympian, Tony a ret RAAF VIP Pilot.
Internationals Over 31s
Christina Tyson, Rex Dale, John Yates, Graham McDonald, Mussita Ng
Christina is a Sallies editor, Rex a retired professional, John an Anglican Minister, Graham President of Diduno, Mussita past editor of the Internationals.
Sport writers
Peter Nelson, Simon Farrer, Josh Robbie, Tim Wilson, John Skinner
Peter is the retired AIS and Olympic chaplain, Simon ret Government, Josh South Africa, Tim Canada, John Skinner a national Rodeo Judge
Senior writers - Post Over 31s
Ben Campbell, Bridget Brenton, Peter Bentley, Paul Cornish, John Lemmon
Ben is CEO Africa Enterprise, Bridget an editor, Peter an editor of Catalyst, Paul a NZ Minister, John an itinerant evangelist
Total 35 Panellists
These are the people collectively who determine the 2020 Basil Sellers Awards – each Panellist sends their marks to one of two statisticians
Statisticians
Australia young writers and International young writers - Bill Chiclott
Over 31s Aust / Over 31s Int / Senior writers – John Grocott
Sport - Jeremy Diver
Kiwis - Liz Hay
This is a massive effort in logistics to see it all happen.
Connect people
Each young writer in the groups above had a Connect person who collected their BEST article links, collated them, and forwarded them to the Panellists.
Just wonderful how it all works out each year.
Dr Mark Tronson - a 4 min video
Chairman – Well-Being Australia
Baptist Minister 45 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 45 years with 4 children and 6 grand children