The 2016 Sidney Prize

In this day and age, there are many different kinds of prizes available to honor those who work tirelessly towards their goals. Whether it is through writing contests or activist awards, these types of prizes are a way to honor the hardworking individuals who are committed to their dreams. They also serve to promote their work, helping them to gain more exposure amongst the public. The Sydney Prize is one such award that has gained a lot of popularity recently, offering its winners significant amounts of money that they can use towards their future plans.

The prize is named after Sidney Cox, a Dartmouth professor who was able to influence thousands of students both inside and outside his classes. In order to honor his generative influence on students, a group of his friends has been soliciting funds with the aim of creating an annual prize that honors undergraduate writing that best meets the high standards of originality and integrity that Cox set for himself and his students.

This year, the Sydney Prize was awarded to Clare Jackson who wrote an acclaimed book on royalist ideas in late seventeenth century Scotland. Jackson is a Senior Tutor and Walter Grant Scott Fellow at Trinity Hall in the history department. The Sydney Prize was given to her because of her extensive research and her ability to present the complexity of the subject in a compelling way. She is a great example of how the Sydney Prize can be used to support young writers who are passionate about their work.

Another notable prize that was given this year is the Event Cinemas Rising Talent award which recognises emerging NSW-based film creatives working in short films. This award was given to director Chris Godfrey for his film The Dancing Girl and Balloon Man, a story about the power of friendship between two children living in a small coastal town. This short film was well received by the public and won several accolades including the Best Film at the 2016 AACTA Awards.

Other notable awards that have been given this year include the Sydney Peace Prize which was awarded to Nazanin Boniadi who is an Iranian-born human rights advocate. She has been able to bring the plight of women in Iran to the world stage through her activism and advocacy. She has worked tirelessly to highlight the issues of human rights in her country and is a leading figure in the ‘Women Life Freedom’ movement.

The Sydney Peace Prize is presented annually by the City of Sydney and the University of Sydney to global voices who are leading the fight for peace, justice and non-violence. This year, the prize was given to Nazanin Boniadi for her years of dedication to bringing the human rights issues of women in Iran to the world stage through the ‘Women Life Freedom’ campaign. The prize will be formally presented at Sydney Town Hall later this year. The Sydney Prize is a valuable and innovative way to honour those who are making a difference in the world.