The Neilma Sidney Prize and the Hillman Hillman Prize for Journalism
In an age when it’s easy to get distracted by the latest scandal or political outrage, it’s important to remember that there are many people working to make this world a better place. The Sydney Prize honours those individuals whose tireless efforts to improve the lives of others are making a difference in the world.
The winner of the Neilma Sidney Prize receives a $5000 prize money and their story will be published in both Overland and online. Two runners-up will receive $750 prizes each. The contest is open to writers worldwide. The judges are looking for stories with travel themes that go beyond simply describing a place or landscape.
In the spirit of the Sydney Prize, we hope this contest will encourage more young writers to take up the challenge of writing short fiction on a subject that moves them. We also look forward to reading their stories and seeing the variety of approaches they take in this challenging genre.
Since its founding in 1924, the Phi Beta Kappa Society has recognized outstanding achievement in scholarship, undergraduate teaching, and leadership in the cause of liberal arts education by granting the Sidney Hook Memorial Award. This national distinction is awarded annually in memory of the distinguished American philosopher and Phi Beta Kappa member who believed that scholarship should serve a broader purpose than mere private gain.
The Sydney Prize honours those who illuminate the great issues of our day – whether it is the search for a foundation for peace, the fight to ensure basic needs like housing, medical care, and employment security, or the struggle against discrimination based on race, nationality, or religion. The annual Hillman Prize for Journalism recognizes journalists who have exposed social injustices and corporate greed. The 2020 winners include Hilton Als for his New York Times piece on online sexism, Ed Yong for his Atlantic article on student hypersensitivity, and the New York Times/ProPublica investigation of Haiti’s colonial debt.
Established in 2018 by the staff of the Department of Linguistics, this prize is awarded to recognise a postgraduate research paper or conference presentation written by a MAK Halliday postgraduate research student in the Department of Linguistics. The prize was named in recognition of MAK Halliday, the first professor of linguistics to be appointed to the University of Sydney and the first person to hold the chair of the Department of Linguistics at the University of Sydney.
This annual prize, sponsored by the law firm of Roberts & Holland LLP, is offered to students studying taxation or related subjects. It is awarded to the best essay submitted by a student. The essay may be written as part of a course, seminar or as an independent study project. The essay will be judged on its originality, scholarly research and analytical depth. The winner of the prize will be presented at the Society’s Triennial Council Meeting.