A sidney prize is an award that recognises individuals and organisations who have made a positive difference to society. It can be awarded to anyone from scientists to writers to those who work for social change. The winners are recognised for their past achievements and their potential to make a difference in the future. They are also honoured for their contribution to Australian culture, society and the economy. These awards are decided on a national basis and are presented at a ceremony each year. The winners are chosen by a panel of judges.
Sidney was a man of great integrity and humility, and it is hoped that his example will inspire new generations of scientists to maintain these qualities. He was cautious by nature but willing to question accepted dogma, and he always sought a chain of reasonable inferences that could be supported by strong experimental evidence. He was also a staunch advocate for academic freedom, arguing that science should serve the public interest and that non-scientists should be able to recognize the value of research.
Throughout his life, Sidney was driven by a passion for engineering. This PS500 annual award, named in his honour, aims to inspire new female engineers to achieve their full potential, and to allow their career dreams to take them wherever they want to go. It is open to all graduating female students who have passed their BEng on any of our engineering programmes.
In his private life, Sidney was a devoted husband and father. He was particularly proud of his daughters, who all went on to become highly successful engineers in their own right. He was a great supporter of higher education and he worked hard to ensure that his children got the best possible start in their studies. He was also very supportive of the arts and he believed that it was important to encourage young people to express themselves creatively.
The Sidney Hillman Foundation offers a monthly Sydney Prize for journalism that is in the service of the common good. The prize is named in memory of journalist and professor Sidney Hillman. The fund was established by his family and friends in 2000.
Each year, the Sidney Peace Prize is awarded to a nominee who promotes peace with justice, human rights and non-violence. The winner is honoured in Sydney at the end of each year. Previous recipients have included Julian Burnside, Noam Chomsky and Mary Robinson.
The Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize is a writing competition that is run by Overland magazine. The first place winner receives a $5,000 prize and the runners-up will be published in Overland in 2023. The winning entry must be powerful, moving and original. This year’s theme is “travel”. The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2023. Read more about this year’s prize and how to enter here. This year’s judges are Sidney Watson and Malcolm Robertson. Good luck!