E-BLAST - 31 MARCH 2013

Retired Australian Cricketers Bi-annual Newsletter 26th edition released last week.It featured the respite facilities available to cricketers and the AIS alike.

Photo - 1994 then Australian cricketer Ian Healey in Perth WA launching Mark's book 'No Orchestra No Trumpet'.

  

E-BLAST - 24 MARCH 2013

As the Footplate Padre Mark and Delma enjoyed the New Zealand TransAlpine railway experience from Christchurch to Greymouth the day after the young writers mini-conferences.

The train has two large diesels with two sets of trains - each set has 3 saloon cars, resfresment car, open carriage and a baggage van, In the days of steam the train would consist of only the one set.

CHRISTCHURCH - GREYMOUTH

The TransAlpine experience runs from Christchurch to Greymouth over the mountains. The train has three stops, Springfield at the foot of the mountains, Arthurs Pass mid way and then Otira on the other side of the mountains.

The trains departs Chritchurch 8.15am and arrives back from Greymouth 6.10pm with an hour in Greymouth. 

HUGE RIVERS

As Spring follows winter the melting snows form great rivers and the views of these are part of the scenic TransAlpine experience.

This photograph was taken from the open carriage - there are no windows but protective barriers. It is the photographer's delight.

MOUNTAIN VIEWS

The mountain views were spectacular on the TransAlpine train. There are windows above the seats so as to get a full view as the train winds around the steep cliffs.

In winter with the snow on the mountains the views are magnificent. There is a 8klm tunnell after Arthur's Pass - the ski resorts and bushwalking centre mid way.

DELMA IN GREYMOUTH

Delma in Greymouth. The railway station is in the centre of town, time to walk the main street and visit the Coal Miners Memorial. The two big diesels ran around the train on the crossing loop, re attached to the other end for the 4 hour 30 minute run back to Christchurch.

E-BLAST - 17 MARCH 2013

New Zealand young writers mini-conference: Auckland and Christchurch 9-10 March.

Auckland:  Brad Mills and Elesha Edmonds (Casey Murray background). Brad works as a journalist for Rhema Broadcasting in Auckland while Elesha is in the final years of a Communications degree.

We've selected 5 photos here of the many at both Auckland and Christchurch mini-conferences. 

CHRISTCHURCH: SOPHIA AND MERCY

Christchurch:  Sisters Sophia Sinclair and Mercy Cornish are part of the Christchurch team of young writers. Dale Wang and Joelle Bautista are the other two.

Sophia serves with CMS and Mercy is an Honours student.in Media and Communications. We celebrated Mercy's 22nd birthday at the Christchurch young writer's meeting.

AUCKLAND: AMANDA AND ANDREA

Auckland:  Amanda is from England and Andrea from Canada. They are mission focused with Amanda travelling to Asia and Andrea to Africa.

How they ended up in New Zealand?  Read their remarkable stories in their PSI young writer articles in Christian Today.

AUCKLAND MORNING TEA

Auckland:  Elesha Edmonds, Daniel Jang, Sam Burrows, Casey Murray.

Daniel Jang served with OM (Logos Hope) last year in Asia and is back in Wellington for further bible college studies. Casey Murray is 2 years back in Auckland (marketing) after 4 years Sydney Uni. Sam Burrows is on staff at Windsor Park Baptist.

JULIE BELDING FELLOWSHIP CO-ORDINATOR

Auckland: Gemma Taylor, Julie Belding, Jared Diprose and Joelle Bautista.

Julie Belding is the NZ young writers fellowship co-ordinator and opening her home for such a beautiful purpose.

E-BLAST - 10 MARCH 2013

Christchurch young writers mini-conference Sunday afternoon 10 March. This followed the Saturday young writers mini-conference in Auckland. Mark, David Chang (Christian Today) and Julie Belding (ARPA) spoke and the Q@A sessions were very informative.

Wonderful meeting the NZ young writers and get a feel for PSI - Press Service International and Christian Today..

Photo  -  Christchurch young writers mingling - Sophia Sinclair, Mercy Cornish, Dale Wang and Julie Belding.

AUCKLAND YOUNG WRITERS

New Zealand young writers mini-conference on Saturday in Auckland (9 March) saw 15 come together. Christian Today's David Chang gave a DVD presentation followed by a Q&A session.

Julie Belding the NZ fellowship co-ordinator spoke very fluently on the Australasian Religious Ptress Association annual conference in Melbourne.   

Photo - Auckland young writer's mingling over a cuppa - Jared Diprose, Peter Rope, Brad Mills, Amanda Robinson.