E-BLAST - THURS 2 NOVEMBER 2017

Sam Gillespie Young Writer Brain's Trust Chair visited Christchurch last weekend to meet with the Kiwi young writer team planning the 2018 young writer conference. They worked on the program, logistics and ideas for the focus groups. 2018 young writers conf will be upon us all all too quickly, 1 Sept. Sam and Salley sent back amazing photos of the Christchurch streetscape. This photo was one of them. Not sure what they are? 

E-BLAST - THURS 26 OCT

Footplate Padre ministry has been a feature of Mark's ministry for 40 years which included monthly articles in various railway magazine for many years. 16 years ago a short 2 min 57 sec video was made of his Footplate Padre ministry which included a short segment of the Inform 'Moss Vale Train' which Mark fired in the late 60's. He showed it on Country Town Tours at men's breakfasts and dinners, youth groups and the like and recently ministry helper Bridget Brenton cut it to YouTube - here is it

Footplate Padre and steam train

photo - one of Mark's 16 railway book

E-BLAST - THURS 19 OCTOBER

Panellists Commission - is currently running (Oct - Nov) whereby the panellists are discussing the 2018 panellist program with a range of issues. The Panellist Commission is being chaired by Bishop Brian Carrell of Christchurch, a foundation panellist way back in 2013 when the Basil Sellers Awards were initiated.
Photo  -  Tim Wilson is a Sport Writer Panellist from 2014. Tim grew up on his family's Mudgee farm, earned a degree, enjoyed hockey, then YWAM for 9 years leading mission groups around the world and married fellow YWAM Genevieve Packer from Canada. The family moved to Canada where Tim worked in the corporate sector. Two years ago the family of 3 children moved to California where Tim enrolled in the Masters College (seminary).       

E-BLAST - THURS 20 OCTOBER

Charley Cox, a 5 year young writer of Melbourne, a Miss Universe and Miss World (Australia) finalist, a model and actress is featuring in a Renault television advert.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=zLaCLf_E8rM

Charley has attended every young writers conference - this year was the first one Charley has missed due to 'modelling shoots'. Charley was married earlier this year (nee Goiris) and has been engaged in youth ministry along with developing her professional career. Husband Matthew Cox is a film producer.

Photo  - 2016 young writer's conference

E-BLAST - 5 OCTOBER 2017

Gavin and Jan Lawrie are volunteers at the Currumbin Animal Sanctuary, on Monday our daughter Anthea, grand-son Edward and Pop (Mark) had a day there where we saw (photo) an operation on a Koala in the glass enclosed animal hospital. Gavin a retired barrister, is an Australian Panellist, at the last 4 young writer conferences and now given another task - collating from the young writers a list of those over 31 for the 2018 Over 30's Award. The Awards Commission determined 18-30 years for the Basil Sellers Award.