The Sydney Prize is one of the world’s premier literary prizes, awarded each year to outstanding examples of long-form writing ranging from essays and op-eds to blogs and tweets. This award signifies that not everything should be concise; even journalism pieces.
The Sidney Prize was first created in 1967, in memory of Sir Philip Sidney Ardern – an expert scholar of Old and Middle English literature who passed away shortly thereafter. Its purpose is to encourage undergraduate writing of the highest standard; open to students who have passed their final examinations for BA degree with Honours in English and passed Overland examinations; the winning entry is published in Overland while two runners-up will also be published online; judges Patrick Lenton, Alice Bishop and Sara Saleh selected Claire Aman’s entry ‘Who Rattles the Night?’- congratulations!
This year’s Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize went to an outstanding piece of fiction. Patrick Lenton, Alice Bishop and Sara Saleh were deeply moved by this vivid, atmospheric and deeply moving account of one young woman’s struggle with her mother’s dementia and its consequences on her family. This story, set in Australia’s bushland, touched many Australian residents deeply. Judges were particularly taken by its quality writing, depth of emotion and attention to detail. Claire Aman has won this year’s prize and her story will appear in Overland’s autumn issue. Our judges would like to express their sincere thanks for her hard work and her commitment to our blind judging process.
Sidney Hillman was an outstanding leader who championed social justice through public policy initiatives for the greater good, including Unite Here and Workers United – now SEIU – among other groups. He believed firmly in democracy’s necessity of free press as an essential pillar. By honoring him with this award we celebrate his legacy.
The Sidney Award recognizes reporting that is widely accessible to an American audience. Each month, two winners are announced and receive a $500 honorarium and certificate designed by New Yorker cartoonist Edward Sorel. In Canada, The Hillman Foundation presents an additional monthly Sidney Prize competition; more details about this competition can be found by clicking here.