The Sidney Prize and Other Prizes at the University of Sydney

The sydney prize is a prize awarded to a journalist for an outstanding piece of journalism published in a newspaper or magazine in the previous month. The deadline for nominations is the last day of each month. The winning journalist receives a $500 honorarium and a certificate designed by New Yorker cartoonist Edward Sorel. The prize was created in memory of the late Sidney Louis Wagman ’51, who died on January 1, 2023, at the age of 85. The money from the award is used to support the prize winner’s work in the field of social justice and public policy, a legacy that Wagman wished to continue through his gift.

The 2024 Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize was supported by the Malcolm Robertson Foundation and named after the late Neilma Gantner. The competition was open to all writers at any stage of their writing career, both Australian and international. Stories were to be themed around the notion of ‘travel’. Entries were assessed on their literary and imaginative interpretations of the theme. First place receives $5000 and will be published in Overland. Two runners-up will each receive $750.

There are many prizes at the University of Sydney, both for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Some have a long history and others were established as the result of bequests. The majority require the submission of written work on a particular topic, which is generally an essay or poem. Some are administered by departments, while others are awarded by the University as a whole. The University reserves the right not to award any prize if it is deemed that submissions are not of sufficient quality.

Several of the University’s prizes are based on bequests. The Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards were founded in 1984 and honour the memory of philanthropist Sir Sidney Myer and his commitment to the performing arts. The awards are presented to individuals or groups in the areas of dance, drama, comedy, music and opera. The university also awards the Sydney Taylor Book Award, which was created to recognise excellence in scholarly publications in the field of Australian literature.

In addition to the prestigious literary prizes, the University of Sydney offers scholarships and bursaries for its students. This is an excellent way to help pay for your studies. For more information, visit the Scholarships and Bursaries page on the website. You can also download a copy of the Scholarships and Bursaries booklet. You can also purchase gold or silver seals for your books from the University Bookshop. These are available to order online or in person. They are a great way to demonstrate your dedication to the subject matter of your book and add a touch of class to any cover. These are a great gift for any reader or writer.