The sidney prize is a literary prize awarded for submissions in a range of written forms, including poetry and plays. It is one of a number of annual prizes awarded by the university of sydney for works in different literary genres. Submissions for the prize are required to be written under a pseudonym, and entries are judged by a panel of literary judges and academics who have the power to award the prize if they think that it is worthy. The prize is funded by a bequest from Emilie Ann Consett Stephen.

This is an unrestricted $2,000 award given to one graduating senior who, through a senior thesis and general academic distinction, demonstrates outstanding humanities-based scholarship of a broad and interdisciplinary nature. The prize is named in memory of the distinguished art historian Sidney Thomas, a faculty member from 1961 to 1985. Professor Thomas was trained in literature, but became deeply involved in research and writing in art history, editing two benchmark publications in the field: Art and Ideas in Western Civilization and The Nature of Art (with John Gassner).

Each year, a panel of judges selects an essay from among the submissions. The winner is then presented with the prize and a mesmeric swirl award designed and made by Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy at Dinosaur Designs in Sydney. Applicants can enter the competition by submitting a short piece of original fiction on the theme “travel”, up to 3000 words, or an essay, of 5000 words or less, on a nominated question. The Overland Neilma Sidney prize is open to all Australian students, including those not studying at the University of Sydney, and the essay or short story can be written for a course or as an independent study project. The prize is funded by a bequest to the university of sydney from Emilie Anne Consett Stephen.

The Hillman Foundation is a left-of-center organization that awards monetary prizes to journalism and public service. The Hillman Foundation’s prizes are intended to honor the responsibilities of a free press and promote investigative reporting. The foundation has honored contributors to the daily, periodical and labor press as well as authors and broadcasters. The Hillman Foundation also provides grants for journalism education and other educational purposes.

The Sidney E. Mead Prize, established in 1967, is granted to an advanced graduate student or recent PhD for the best unpublished article stemming from dissertation research that contributes significantly to its field and to the history of Christianity more broadly. The winning essay will be published in Church History. The prize is named in honor of Dr. Mead, a prominent scholar of the early history of Christianity and the first president of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America union, which became Unite Here and then Workers United, SEIU. This is the 2023 edition of this prestigious prize.