ARPA News Conference 2016

2016 ARPA Conference: Rydges Sydney Central: 2-4 September.

What a wonderful gathering and time of learning, challenge and sharing together within the theme of The Converging Word (converging mediums of communication)

This was a conference in which many of our members participated; from the panels, leading seminars and facilitating sessions, we were privileged to share in the wisdom and Christian experience from many members on a varied range of issues. My deep thanks to all the members and to our speakers and guests, and especially our sponsors from Wesley Mission (Hospitals) – two amazing seminars illustrating the church’s response to mental health, and cbm with a challenging session on inclusion and disability. The papers from this session have been distributed to members and I am aware already of several interviews arising from this session.

I can only look forward to ARPA 2017 in Auckland.

Peter Bentley, President

Our warm congratulation to Graeme Cole, the winner of the Gutenberg Award for 2016.

The Citation for ARPA’s premier award stated:

This is a personal recognition for Graeme, who has provided nearly thirty years of ministry in Christian media and communication, serving the Anglican Church (Director of Communications for Anglicare NSW), Frontier Services (National Public Affairs Manager), and since 2001, Wesley Mission (Public Affairs Manager).

These roles have involved extensive writing, preparing annual reports (Graeme won a Bronze Award for Wesley Mission's 2001 Annual Report in the Australasian Reporting Awards); strategic development and oversight of numerous internal newsletters and publications, associated editing, writing, reviewing and constant liaison.

He is also the editor of ARPA member publication Wesley Impact! - The magazine of Wesley Mission. Graeme has won 16 ARPA awards in a wide range of categories, testifying to his versatility and incredible ability manage a variety of roles, though I think he does have a gifted orientation to entering the Best Headline Award.

In his latest role at Wesley Mission, Graeme also co-ordinates media and government relations, providing the wealth of his experience and wisdom so that the good deeds of a Christian agency can multiply and multiply. In essence Graeme exemplifies the best of Christian reporting, grounded in a commitment to justice and truth and founded in personal integrity. At all times, and in difficult times, his personal faith points to the undergirding power and grace that is provided by God for all those who are called to serve. Graeme’s ministry is not a venture or service for himself, it is a mission to point to the good works that are being done in the name of Jesus Christ. Praise be to God. It is therefore my great pleasure to present the Gutenberg Award for 2016 Graeme Cole.

Peter Bentley, President: 3rd September 2016

FULL LIST OF ARPA AWARDS 2016

 (I) PUBLISHING

Category 2: Most improved hard copy publication

GOLD

Catholic Voice, Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn

SILVER

On Fire, Salvation Army National Editorial Department

 BRONZE

The Real Australian, Bush Church Aid Society of the Anglican Church

Category 3: Best Regional Publication

GOLD

Aurora, Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle

 SILVER

Catholic Voice, Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn.

 BRONZE

The Anglican Encounter, Anglican Diocese of Newcastle

(II) WRITING

Category 4:  Best New Writer

GOLD

"Beyond the Phantasm of Deprivation"

by Remy Low Zadok Perspectives

SILVER

"Facing Up to Debt"

by Robin Raymond , War Cry (New Zealand)

BRONZE

"Wake Up toCompassion"

by Alice Snedden , Tui Motu lnterlslands

 Highly Commended

"Ice—Beyond the Headlines" by Tim Lam, Crosslight

Category 5:  Best News Story

GOLD

"A Dutch story of 'voluntary' euthanasia"

by David & Roslyn Phillips, VoxPoint

 SILVER

"Trust supports youth transition to independence"

Spanz, Summer 2015.

 BRONZE

"A storm in a teacup? "

by Anne Lim, Eternity, June 2015.

Category 6:  Best Feature, Single Author

GOLD

"Victim to their Charms"

by Anne Lim, Southern, Anglican Media Sydney

SILVER

"An Unlikely Priest"

by Matthew Biddle, Catholic Voice

BRONZE

"The Only Skill I Have is Escaping - the only thing I believe in is Jesus"

by John Wilson, Voice of the Martyrs

Category 7: Best Feature, Multiple Authors

GOLD

"Half a century of hope", Pipeline, Salvation Army, The Australian Eastern Territory

SILVER

"NZ gets a new Cardinal", NZCatholic

Category 8:    Best Profile story

GOLD

"A Quantum Leap of Faith"

by Dianne Jensen, Journey (Uniting Church, Queensland) .

SILVER

"Finding a voice in 'transitional times"

by Emma Halgren, The Melbourne Anglican

BRONZE

"The White Rose"

by Tricia O'Donnell, Marist Messenger (New Zealand)

Category 9: Best Editorial   or Opinion Piece

GOLD

"The Art of Losing Well"

by John Dickson, Eternity

SILVER

"The Paris Attacks Call Us to Deep Reflection"

by Ken Letts,  The Melbourne Anglican

BRONZE

"Erring on the Side of Compassion: Same-sex Marriage Debate Demands Grace"

by Grant Sandercock-Brown , Pipeline , The Salvation Army, The Australian Eastern Territory.

Category 10:   Best Column

GOLD

"The Face of God"

Michael McGirr's series in Madonna, published by Jesuit Publications.

SILVER

"My Word "

Bishop Bill Wright's column in Aurora, published by the Catholic Diocese of Newcastle.

BRONZE

"Unsung Methodists"

by Donald Phillipps in Touchstone.

Category 11:  Best Blog

No awards made

Category 12:  Best Faith Reflection

GOLD

"Service and sacrifice"

by Nigel Pollock, Canvas magazine

SILVER

"Life in the hard lane,"

by Richard Zweck, The Lutheran (awarded posthumously)

BRONZE

"God's Care Throughout Life"

by Mark Wormell, Southern Cross, Anglican Media Sydney

Category 13:  Best Theological Article

GOLD

"Who can then be saved"

By Dorothy Lee, The Melbourne Anglican

SILVER

"The perfected body? Disability and the resurrection"

by Vaughan Oliffe, Case Quarterly

BRONZE

"Marriage: we're talking about it"

by Bruce Mullan, Journey, Qld

Category 14: Best Social Justice Article

GOLD

"Trinity and Reconciliation"

by Assistant Bishop Chris McLeod, Guardian

SILVER

"Shame, Blame, Defence, and Healing"

by Helen Miller, Case Quarterly # 41

BRONZE

"Lighting The Way"

by Sarah Kenworthy, The Majellan

Category 15:  Best Review

GOLD

"Mad Max review"

by Jen Vuk, Salvation Army National Editorial Department

 SILVER

"Post-God nation"

by Barney Zwartz, The Melbourne Anglican

BRONZE

Not awarded 

(III) DESIGN AND CREATIVITY

 Category 16:   Best Humorous Item

GOLD

not awarded

SILVER

"The Goodes, the bad and the ugly"

by Fiona Katauskas, Eureka Street.

BRONZE

"Blessing of the Smart Phones"

by Brendan Boughen, Touchstone.

Category 17:  Best Cover Magazine

GOLD

Voice of the Martyrs, October 2015.

SILVER

Vox Point, May 2015

BRONZE

Canvas, Autumn 2015, issue 74

Category18 Best Cover Newspaper

GOLD

The Melbourne Anglican, April 2015.

SILVER

NZ Catholic, October 4-17, 2015. #476.

BRONZE

The Advocate, February 2015.

Category 19: Best Design Magazine

 GOLD

Women in Touch magazine

The Salvation Army, Australian Eastern Territory

SILVER

Journey magazine, Uniting Church, Queensland

BRONZE

War Cry, Salvation Army, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga

Category 20: Best Design Newspaper

GOLD

The Advocate, Baptist Churches of Western Australia

SILVER

Not awarded

BRONZE
Not awarded 

Category 21:  Best Design Website

GOLD

CathNews Perspectives, Church Resources

SILVER

Crosslight, Uniting Church, Victoria

BRONZE

Eureka Street, Jesuit Publications

Category 22:  Best original photography

GOLD

"Flynn's baptism heralds a new beginning for deacon too."

by Giovanni Portelli, Catholic Weekly

SILVER

"Finding peace through brokenness in India."

by Bindy Taylor, New Times

 BRONZE

"The city. A Place of the Spirit. Portrait of Bishop Greg Thompson."

by Kathleen Mackay, Anglican Encounter

Category 23     Best Headline

GOLD

"Meet, Pray, Love"

Judy Adamson for the headline: Southern Cross, Anglican Media, Sydney

 SILVER

"Playing it forward"

Katrina McLachlan for the headline: Guardian, Adelaide Anglican Diocese

BRONZE

"Bundy Run"

Dean Simpson and Sharon Paterson, for the headline, Pipeline, Salvation Army, Eastern Territory