ARPA NZ: Winter Update

My fellow ARPA Kiwis, 

Time for a brief update on the world of ARPA, both here in NZ and over in Australia.

What's been happening around NZ and Australia?

It was my pleasure to represent the New Zealand chapter of ARPA at our face-to-face executive meeting back in February.

During the meeting we were able to sit down with Nathan Brown, who is the CEO of Christian Media and Arts Australia (CMAA). Our intention was to learn more about how CMAA have innovated and grown as a network.

On Nathan's invitation, ARPA President Peter Bentley and I went along to the recent CMAA Conference: 'Small is the New Big' on the Gold Coast, May 1-3.

I am very grateful to ARPA for sending me to attend the conference and spent time networking with CMAA members and learning more. I was particularly interested in the way CMAA have drawn in younger members, and the ways they seek to connect smaller members to help share resources. It was a vibrant, professional and relevant conference and I learnt a lot about connection in a media space.

I'd be really keen to chat more with you all about the future of ARPA, as we navigate a changing media landscape. 

I also enjoyed getting down to Wellington last week to meet up with members as they heard from Dr Hrayr Jebejian of the Bible Society in the Gulf States.

Thanks for being very gracious with me settling back into Kiwi life with my family over the past 7 months as we re-located to Levin after 3 years in Sydney. Many of you sent messages of welcome and I'm very grateful.

I'm keen to keep growing and developing in this role, as I support the work of ARPA members in New Zealand.

What's coming up in 2018?

Our Annual ARPA Conference is being held in Brisbane 7-9 September, just a few weeks away. I'll be there and hope to see those of you who are making the trip.

We'll have some time to get together for dinner on the Friday night, as just the NZ chapter, to discuss what we'd like to see for the future of ARPA.

I'm also looking forward to supporting you all at our awards. Each year New Zealanders are consistent with a high standard and creativity--and I'm sure this year will be no different!

We also hope to have another couple of NZ ARPA meetings--Auckland has one planned for 30 November, and we've discussed another get-together in Wellington before the end of the year.

What's coming up in 2019?

I've got some exciting news: our annual ARPA conference is being planned for CHRISTCHURCH, NZ 2019!

Our Executive is keen to have more events in NZ, and our Australian contingent is especially excited about exploring the city as it is being re-built and re-imagined.

At this stage the dates discussed are 6-8 September 2019. But I wanted feedback from you, our NZ chapter, before confirming.

So please let me know: will these dates suit you?

I'd also love to hear more about what would make a uniquely Kiwi-flavoured ARPA conference for you. Do you have tips for speakers? Locations?

As always, do let me know what your local ARPA group is up to and how I can best be encouraging and supporting you.

Sophia Sinclair
New Zealand Vice President,
Chapter Coordinator, and Communications Officer.

ARPA E-News June 2018

Ramon Williams Scholarship for 2018

ARPA received three very high standard (and valid) applications for the Ramon Williams Scholarship for 2018. Thank you to members for helping to facilitate applications from younger staff members of your publications.

ARPA is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2018 Ramon Williams Scholarship for 2018 is Joshua Low, journalist and photographer from The Record (Catholic Archdiocese of Perth). Congratulations to Josh and thank you to all applicants for your interest and desire to support ARPA. The scholarship will enable Josh to attend the 2018 ARPA conference and contribute to the future direction and development of the Australasian Religious Press Conference. 

Ramon Williams has been involved with ARPA since its establishment in 1974. Ramon was awarded the Association’s premier trophy the Gutenberg Award in 1987.  In 2013, ARPA recognised his long-standing public Christian ministry, and presented Ramon with the honour of an ARPA Citation for Outstanding Service to Christian Media. As the founder of Worldwide Photos Ltd, he has contributed in a variety of ways to the ministry of the Church in Australia, especially through the provision of photographic material, Christian stories and press releases to the Christian Media and the secular media. Ramon has been a source of great personal encouragement for many Christians in the media and many people have been touched by Ramon’s thoughtfulness and contact. Ramon’s life theme is Telling others what others are doing for the Lord and it is ARPA’s hope that this scholarship will be a source of encouragement for a younger member in their developing ministry of Telling others what others are doing for Lord.

ARPA AWARDS 2018

Thank you to the entrants this year. A total of 312 entries were received and have been distributed to the judges for decision. Thanks to everyone for your understanding and assistance to me in the handling of these entries.  It seems that most went into the correct categories and the few errors wee quickly fixed.  I look forward to the results and commend everyone for their hard work in the preparation of the entries - Liz

2018 ARPA Conference: Novotel Brisbane: 7 - 9 September 2019

Communicating Hope and Trust in a Public Faith

The planning is coming along well, and details will be available over the next few weeks. Please book your accommodation now at the Novotel Brisbane now: 07 3309 3309

We are pleased to announce that on Saturday morning (8 September) Dr Alex Deagon will present on 'The Virtues of Public Religion'.  Dr Deagon is Lecturer at the Faculty of Law at Queensland University of Technology and has published a substantial volume on Peace and Violence in relation to theology, law and community.

2018 Catholic Media Congress: 4-7 September: Brisbane

Registrations are now on-line for the 2018 Catholic Media Congress. The Website has comprehensive information available:

ARPA Executive Update

The ARPA Executive met using Zoom in May to discuss amongst other matters,  updating the Conference planning. The Executive meets in this way on 3 occasions during the year.  We meet face to face in February and of course during the Conference in September.  All of this is carried out on a voluntary basis with members of the executive taking on their roles in addition to their publication work.  Thinking towards the future, we need to encourage members to look at filling these roles as others look at retirement.  The Conference in September provides an ideal setting to  attend the AGM and to discuss this with current and past Executive members.

ARPA E-News May 2018

ARPA AWARDS 2018

Thank you to all members that have entered the 2018 Awards (for publications in 2017). The awards will be presented at the 2018 Conference on Saturday 8th September in Brisbane.

Ramon Williams Scholarship for 2018

It was pleasing to receive three excellent applications for the Ramon Williams Scholarship. The winner will be announced in the June E-News.

Note: Members are reminded to take note of the criteria for entry to ensure a valid application.

 2018 ARPA Conference: Brisbane

Communicating Hope and Trust in a Public Faith: 7-8 September 2018

The planning is coming along well. The Saturday afternoon will have two distinct keynote workshop sessions, enabling members to attend both events.

Our own members, Penny Mulvey and Mardi Lumsden will co-ordinate a session on the joys and challenges of working in the Religious Press.

Professor Mark Pearson, from Griffith University will be leading two keynote seminar times on Social Media, community, and current issues.

2018 Catholic Media Congress: 4-7 September: Brisbane

 All ARPA members are warmly invited to attend the 2018 Catholic Media Congress to be held before ARPA 2018 at Rydges Hotel in Brisbane. Details are on the website:

ARPA E-News February - March 2018

Pastoral Note for our Executive Officer, Elizabeth Harris

The ARPA executive, on behalf of the membership, extends our sympathy and prayers to our executive officer and her family following the passing of Liz's husband Russ on 27 February 2018. We thank Liz for her dedicated service and attention to ARPA and our membership while she has juggled family and health needs. 

Vale: Associate Member Alan Gill AM (1935 - February 23, 2018)

This is certainly the passing of an era. Alan was one of the group of people involved in the early days of ARPA, back in 1974, and maintained an active interest in ARPA as an associate member for over four decades.
Alan was the well-known religious affairs journalist for The Sydney Morning Herald for 17 years (1972-1989), having started as a ‘general’ journalist upon emigrating to Australia in 1971.

In 1985 he received a Walkley Award and was made a member of The Order of Australia for Services to the Media in 1995. Alan continued to write and research well into retirement.
Alan was a much-loved presence at NSW ARPA gatherings and always had one (or ten) stories to tell about his wide-ranging experiences, meeting religious leaders from all around the world. His expertise and knowledge of the Christian faith and other religions was well-known. His SMH colleagues referred to him as ‘The Reverend’ Alan Gill and he was often asked to provide information and advice about ‘religion’. I well remember him telling of his amusement one time when a colleague wanting to write a profile on Mary Mackillop asked Alan for her telephone number.

Malcolm Brown’s obituary for Alan is well worth reading: https://www.smh.com.au/national/journalist-interviewed-religious-leaders-of-all-faiths-20180228-h0wsa6.html

Alan will be missed by his wife Daisy, his wider family, friends and ARPA colleagues.
The President, Peter Bentley represented ARPA at Alan’s funeral service (A Mass of Christian Burial  at St Mark's Catholic Church, Tranmere Street, Drummoyne on March 2nd, 2018).

Peter Bentley

Ramon Williams Scholarship for 2018

Closing date 1 May 2018

Notice for the 2018 scholarship has been sent out. Please pass the information onto people in your organisation and think of someone your publication could nominate. Essential criteria:

• The applicant must be no more than thirty-three years of age at the time of application.
• The applicant must include in their application the name of a member publication or agency of ARPA that has nominated them to apply. 

 

2018 ARPA Conference: Brisbane

Communicating Hope and Trust in a Public Faith

Add the dates to your diary now: 7-8 September 2018.

Note. the Catholic Media Congress from 4 September (incorporating the ACPA Conference).

ARPA will meet at the Novotel Brisbane, just near Central Station, so again on the airtrain link.

We are pleased to report that Queensland academic and past ARPA member Dr John Harrison will be the opening keynote speaker for ARPA on Friday 7 September at 2.00 pm, on the topic:

“Journalism is not a crime. Not yet anyway.”

Connect 18: Small is the new big:

Christian Media and Arts Conference

Connect 18: 1-3 May, QT Hotel, Gold Coast. https://connectconference.org.au/

Interested in attending this major event? CMAA is offering ARPA members the Super Earlybird rate. This is now completely unavailable to even CMAA members.

Brief report on 2018 Executive Meeting

The executive held the annual face-to-face meeting February 2-3, 2018 at Stanmore House and dealt with ongoing business, finances and memberships (not yet renewed and new), as well as reviewing the past conference, the awards and making arrangements for the 2018 conference. A new award for Best Original Illustration will be introduced in 2018. The Blog award has been discontinued due to lack of entries.

Future ARPA Conferences

After reviewing the survey results, local logistics and timing, it was agreed that our preferred location would be Christchurch for ARPA 2019. This also links in with the desire of the executive and the survey respondents to have more frequent conferences in New Zealand.

Perth is recommended for 2020, and Adelaide for 2021.

ARPA E-News November 2017

Gutenberg highlighted at the new Museum of the Bible

Eternity News reports:

When Museum of the Bible opens its doors on November 17, just three blocks from the US Capitol building in Washington DC, guests will enter through two towering, 12-metre-tall gates, each weighing more than 12 tonnes. Made of bronze, the so-called “Gutenberg Gates”, created by artist Larry Kirkland, bear the first 30 verses of the Bible in Latin as found in the Gutenberg Bible, the first major work created using the printing press. However, the text is in reverse, as in a printing plate, so that visitors can create souvenir rubbings.

Full article at: https://www.eternitynews.com.au/world/museum-of-biblical-proportions-set-to-open/

If any ARPA member is visiting the Museum in the near future, please let the ARPA EO know. We would love to have a first-hand report and it could be an article for all our members.

Ramon Williams Scholarship for 2018

Notice for the 2018 scholarship will be sent out in February, following the review at the ARPA executive meeting. Keep this in mind now and think of someone your publication could nominate. Note essential criteria:

• The applicant must be no more than thirty three years of age at the time of application.
• The applicant must include in their application the name of a member publication or agency of ARPA that has nominated them to apply.

The Harvey Weinstein affair

Among the many articles and news items I found these two articles quite sobering in terms of journalism. Comments and opinions welcome: Peter Bentley

Jim Rutenberg (Mediator: October 7, 2017): Extract below:

… Let’s hope that those in the know did not include members of the Los Angeles Press Club, which this year gave Mr. Weinstein its “Truthteller Award,” calling him an example of “integrity and social responsibility,” along with Jay-Z. (The mogul received the honor because of his producing “Time: The Kalief Browder Story,” a Spike TV documentary series about a 16-year-old who spent three years in Rikers Island awaiting a trial that never took place.)

The Press Club might want to rethink the award given that Mr. Weinstein has hired the emerging leader of anti-press jurisprudence, Charles Harder, who brought the case that put Gawker out of business last year. …

  https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/06/business/media/harvey-weinsteins-media-enablers.html

and Lee Smith – Silence of the Enablers: Harvey Weinstein’s secret kept by the media (The Australian: 14th October 2017; extract below and yes I bought the weekend print edition). Any feedback on this and the whole digital revolution welcome.

… That’s why the story about Weinstein finally broke now. It’s because the media industry that once protected him has collapsed. The magazines that used to publish the stories Miramax optioned can’t afford to pay for the kind of reporting and storytelling that translates into screenplays. They’re broke because Facebook and Google have swallowed all the digital advertising money that was supposed to save the press as print advertising continued to tank. …

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/silence-of-the-enablers-harvey-weinsteins-secret-kept-by-media/news-story/32e699c72651c47c615a907e5c900c84

Executive Meetings

The executive held a teleconference on Monday 16th October.

Louise Mackay (Anglican Encounter Newcastle, NSW) has been co-opted to the executive as Minutes Secretary. We are grateful for Louise taking on this role and also for her contributions to the executive.

The Sydney based meeting will be February 2-3, 2018 at Stanmore House.

If you are visiting Sydney over the summer and need a place to stay check out Stanmore House at the Salvation Army Sydney Location.

ARPA Social Media

Let Sophia know of any news to link for our Facebook postings.

It is great to see the 2017 Conference photos being accessed. Thank you to Mark Tronson for his invaluable assistance with taking many of the photos during the awards night.

2018 ARPA Conference: Brisbane

Add the dates to your diary now: 7-8 September 2018, and note the Catholic Media Congress from 4 September (incorporating the ACPA Conference)

ARPA Executive (Contact details please see the ARPA directory)

The ARPA Executive for 2017-2018

President: Peter Bentley

NZ Vice-President and Communications Officer: Sophia Sinclair

Australian Vice-President: Mark Brolly

Treasurer: Allan Sauer

Executive Officer: Elizabeth Harris.

Minutes Secretary: Louise Mackay

ARPA E-News October 2017

What a time in Auckland - August 2017

ARPA members were encouraged, challenged and blessed at our 2017 Conference. Feedback has highlighted the networking and fellowship, and the Awards Dinner held on the Rooftop Terrace at Rydges Hotel.

Sponsors for the 2017 Conference

ARPA is pleased to thank our GOLD SPONSOR: CBM Australia

One of the major events that CBM undertakes is Miracles Day. This special appeal in conjunction with Christian radio stations and churches throughout Australia raises funds and awareness for sight-saving cataract surgery in the world’s poorest places: cbm.org.au.

We were also blessed with support from our Silver Sponsor: NZ Bible Society.

And our Bronze Sponsors:

Dove Ministries

OpenBook Howden

Blue Sky Creative

Awards:

Congratulations to the winners in the various categories and a special acknowledgement to Jamie O’Brien, from The Record Perth, on being awarded the Gutenberg for 2017.

Congratulations also to The Melbourne Anglican for winning the Publication of the Year Award, received by Mark Brolly,  Australian Vice President of ARPA.

2018 ARPA Conference: Brisbane

Add the dates to your diary now: 7-8 September 2018.

Executive Meetings

The next executive meeting will be held by teleconference on Monday 16th October. The Sydney based meeting will be February 2-3, 2018.

The executive will be reviewing the conference and the awards schedule and members are encouraged to send comments. It would be helpful for you to read the judges’ comments in the awards booklet.

ARPA Social Media

Thank you to Sophia for all the awards posts on our Facebook. It has been encouraging to see the regular postings recognising our members. There is also a wonderful collection of photos to view.

ARPA Executive (Contact details please see the ARPA directory)

The ARPA Executive for 2017-2018

President: Peter Bentley

NZ Vice-President and Communications Officer: Sophia Sinclair

Australian Vice-President: Mark Brolly

Treasurer: Allan Sauer

Executive Officer: Elizabeth Harris

ARPA E-NEWS August 2017

Auckland 25-27 August

Yes, there is still time to register for the 2017 ARPA Conference. Join nearly 60 members in the harbour city of Auckland for the Christian print communicators networking event of the year.

With the beautiful setting of the Rooftop Terrace at Rydges Hotel, the Awards Dinner will be a highlight, culminating in the presentation of the Gutenberg for 2017. The President has devised several questions that will test the perspicacity of members (and yes, there are some intriguing and possibly very odd prizes to be won).

Transport to the Hotel

Errol Pike has kindly supplied the following information: I have just been online to check the my transport from the Auckland airport to CBD and the best and cheapest (NZ$18 one way, NZ$32 return) is Skyway bus (www.skybus.co.nz). It does mean walking about three blocks from the drop-off point (at 237 Queen Street, Stop No 7053) to the Hotel (corner of Federal and Kingston Streets) but the cost of a taxi from airport to CBD can be about $80. The bus does take a little longer, however but they do run very regularly. Also, you can pre-buy Skybus tickets online – see their website. The only negative is that the Skybus does not run from the international terminal after 10.30 pm. – but all the info is on their website.

Awards:  The judges’ decisions are in and there is an amazing list of winners, including for publication of the year.  It will be a joy to have every winner represented at the dinner to receive their Award.

 Sponsors at the 2017 Conference:  ARPA is pleased to work with our GOLD SPONSOR: 

CBM Australia

One of the major events that CBM undertakes is Miracles Day. This special appeal in conjunction with Christian radio stations and churches throughout Australia raises funds and awareness for sight-saving cataract surgery in the world’s poorest places.

Miracles Day for 2017 will be held on 17 August. Christian radio stations will be on-air talking about Miracles Day and encouraging their listeners to donate a $32 Miracle - payment for a 12-minute operation that enables a cataract to be removed and sight to be restored. You can support CBM by promoting the contact number 131 226 and website cbm.org.au in your social media: and #makemiraclespossible (used online/social media as hashtag, used without # where appropriate)

New Members

ARPA is pleased to advise the following new members: Jen Rosenberg from Australian Catholic University, Wayne Graham, whose publication is the Daily Encourager and Annie Carrett who as editor of Broken Bay News has been a long-time supporter of ARPA and ACPA.  The publication is no longer an ARPA member but we are thrilled that Annie has chosen to stay with us.

ARPA Social Media Survey

Sophia Sinclair, our Communications Officer reported to the executive meeting held on Tuesday 1st August about the results of the social media survey. It is evident that members would prefer a finely tuned approach to ARPA using social media, and Sophia will be looking at connecting in a helpful way.

Auckland Conference 2017: Connections + Community

Over the next few weeks we're going to be profiling some of the speakers and facilitators of our 2017 conference: Connections + Community.

Keep an eye out on our social media sites and this blog for more info.

For conference registration details click here.

ARPA E-News July 2017

ARPA Conference 2017: Auckland 25-27 August

http://www.arpa.news/conference/

 Note: Please have your registration in by 11th August.

Thank you to all members who have registered along with providing their Award entries.   It’s great to see so many registrations and Award entries from New Zealand and those in Oz look forward to meeting up with our fellow religious publishers from across the Tasman.

Please consider booking your accommodation as soon as possible using the booking accommodation site at the Rydges Hotel - Auckland. You only need to put the check-in and check-out dates and click book now. You don’t need to put any code or promo code.
https://www.rydges.com/private-page/arpa-conference-2017/

ARPA is pleased to work with all our SPONSORS for Auckland 2017:

Silver Sponsor - NZ Bible Society

Bible Society New Zealand  Bible Society’s mission is to help make the Bible accessible to everyone and encourage interaction with it, both in New Zealand and around the world. Bible Society supports the work of more than 2,000 churches in New Zealand including Māori and migrant churches, as well as many Christian organisations. They strive to shape our nation’s future by encouraging people to engage with the Bible to build a culture transformed by the Bible. Bible advocacy and equipping ministry leaders with relevant Bible resources is key to achieving this. In addition they are part of a worldwide network called United Bible Societies, operating in 200 countries and territories. Bible Society New Zealand partners This year, they celebrate their 171st year of operation, making them one of New Zealand’s oldest organisations: www.biblesociety.org.nz

ARPA Social Media Survey

Thank you to all those who provided feedback to the social media survey. Sophia Sinclair, our Communications Officer has been working on analysing the results and preparing a report.

ARPA Member Ramon Williams

Ramon received a lovely ‘historical portrait’ profile in the War Cry (Australia)http://www.warcry.org.au/single-post/2017/06/24/Ramon-Williams

and also in the latest edition of New Life: 1 July 2017 Vol 80 No 1. New Life is available to download - Free on Request: office@nlife.com.au

Launch of Global Effort to End Deforestation of Rainforests

ARPA received a special invitation to attend the launch of this initiative on June 19 in Oslo, though was not able to participate through representation. This event marked the first time religious leaders have gathered to support Indigenous Peoples in South America, sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The gathering was held in the presence of His Majesty King Harald V of Norway. The event can be watched on the following link: http://iri.trippelm.tv/embed.html

2017 SparkLit Awards Night

Melbourne ARPA members may be able to attend the 2017 Australian Christian Book of the Year awards. This will be held just before our Auckland conference: Thursday 17 August, 7.30 for 8.00 pm
St Alfred’s Anglican Church, Blackburn North, Victoria.
Tickets $20. Buy tickets online

The South Australian ARPA Chapter

ARPA SA recently met for lunch at the offices of Family Voice in Adelaide.  We had an almost 100% attendance and were fortunate to have Greg Hassold from openbook howden, print and design, address us on today’s printing methods.   Open Book is an ARPA sponsor and we are grateful for their support.

ARPA E-News June 2017

ARPA Conference 2017: Auckland 25-27 August

Thank you to all members who have registered along with their award entries. Please consider booking your accommodation in June for the conference hotel. It is helpful for ARPA’s block booking arrangements. Booking accommodation at the Rydges Hotel - Auckland: You only need to put the check-in and check-out dates and click book now. You don’t need to put any code or promo code. https://www.rydges.com/private-page/arpa-conference-2017/

ARPA is pleased to work with our GOLD SPONSOR:

CBM Australia

One of the major events that CBM undertakes is Miracles Day. This special appeal in conjunction with Christian radio stations and churches throughout Australia raises funds and awareness for sight-saving cataract surgery in the world’s poorest places. Although cataracts are generally straightforward to treat, they often lead to permanent vision loss for people living in the world’s poorest countries, who cannot access affordable eye-care and surgery.

Miracles Day for 2017 will be held on 17 August.

From 10-20 August 2017, representatives from five of the largest Australian Christian radio stations will travel to the Philippines to witness life transforming cataract operations, and meet some of the people involved in CBM’s work. The stations will broadcast their morning shows live from Bacolod the week of Miracles Day, culminating in the Miracles Day event on Thursday 17 August. The stations that will travel to the field include: Light FM, Hope FM, Sonshine FM, Family FM, Vision Christian Radio and the Luke & Susie Show (broadcast on stations around Australia). Twenty one other Christian radio stations will be on-air talking about Miracles Day and encouraging their listeners to donate a $32 Miracle.

Over the last four years compassionate Australians have raised more than 82,000 Miracle gifts of sight – providing sight-saving operations to those in need. A $32 donation sponsors a 12-minute operation which enables a cataract to be removed and sight to be restored. You can support CBM by promoting the contact number 131 226 and website cbm.org.au in your social media: and #makemiraclespossible (used online/social media as hashtag, used without # where appropriate)

ARPA Social Media Survey

Have you undertaken the social media survey yet? Please help as the feedback will provide the details that ARPA needs to develop the next stage of ARPA’s communications. Any questions please contact Sophia Sinclair, our Communications Officer.

ARPA Executive (Contact details please see the ARPA directory) 

President: Peter Bentley

NZ Vice-President: Justin St Vincent

Australian Vice-President: Mark Brolly

Treasurer: Allan Sauer

Communications Officer: Sophia Sinclair

Executive Officer: Elizabeth Harris.