The final count...

Photo - Rebecca Howan with Russell - NZ Basil Sellers Winner

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.