The Sydney Prize recognizes journalism that provides insightful coverage of today’s key issues – such as finding a basis for lasting peace, providing housing and medical care to all, upholding civil liberties and democracy, combatting discrimination based on race, nationality or religion; plus photojournalism, opinion/analysis writing on the web or other forms of media excellence.
Annie Zhang of Australia won the 2024 Sydney Prize with her short story ‘Who Rattles the Night?’ which follows a couple’s experience moving into an old house and learning how to coexist with ghosts. Zhang lives on unceded Wangal land and her work has appeared in various magazines such as Island, Kill Your Darlings and Big Issue. Additionally she was honored as WestWords Western Sydney Emerging Writer Fellow in 2019.
On Thursday 3 April 2025, The Sydney Prize will be presented during an award meal hosted by NSW Premier and Chancellor Barry O’Farrell and Overland editor Rebecca Levitan. After the presentation ceremony is concluded, there will be a panel discussion entitled ‘The History of Australia in Books’; tickets can be purchased here for the event.
HLS Student Writing Prizes
The Irving Oberman Memorial Awards were created by his widow, Isabel B. Oberman A.B 1917, as a way of honoring him upon his passing from Baltimore businessman and social reformer status. Each prize of $1,000 is given away by the Dean for outstanding papers in seven current legal subjects: Bankruptcy; Constitutional Law/Equal Justice Under Law/Family Law/Environmental Law/IP Law and Tax Law. HLS students writing on any one or more of these subjects may apply; deadline for submission is set by semester end; details available from Prize Submission Instructions page.
Event Cinemas Rising Talent Sydney Prize
The Event Cinemas Rising Talent Sydney Prize honors an emerging NSW-based creative working in short film with a cash prize of $7,000. Open to filmmakers, directors and screenwriters who have produced no more than five short films since 2015, it showcases trailblazing practice that is innovative, imaginative and has high impact. Supported by Sydney UNESCO City of Film.