The sidney prize is a monthly award given by the Hillman Foundation to an outstanding piece of journalism that uncovers social injustice. Past winners include Jane Mayer’s “The Dark Side of Dick Cheney” and Bill Moyers and Kathleen Hughes’ “Buying the War.” The winner receives a $10,000 cash prize, an engraved medallion and becomes part of a network of journalists who are committed to uncovering truths about the world we live in.

The Sydney prize is named in honor of the late Dartmouth Professor Sidney Cox, who was widely revered for his generative influence on students both inside and outside the classroom. The prize is intended to perpetuate in some small way the high standards of literary and intellectual integrity that he so vigorously upheld for himself and for his students.

This year the Sydney Peace Prize was awarded to Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi for their work founding Black Lives Matter. The movement promotes nonviolence, human rights and racial justice. Patrisse and Alicia are two of the most vocal leaders for gun control and anti-racism in the US. Their work has been instrumental in the re-examination of the Trayvon Martin case and ensuring the justice system treats all suspects fairly. The citation reads: The Sydney Peace Prize honours people and groups who are promoting “peace with justice”, human rights, nonviolence and fairness in society. The prize is supported by the Australian & New Zealand Jewish Community, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and the NSW Jewish Federation.

Overland’s Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize welcomes short stories up to 3000 words that loosely explore travel as their theme. One winning entry will go into Overland’s print publication and two runners-up will be published online.

A Canadian man was a lucky winner of over $3 million in Lotto Max, the country’s largest lottery game. The lump sum payout was enough to pay off all of his debts, buy a home and start a small business. He said that the best part of winning was the peace of mind knowing that he and his family’s future is secure.

The committee has written to many of the original list and is now soliciting funds for a solidly permanent foundation. Contributions are tax deductible and should be sent to 1 Occom Ridge in Hanover, MA 02542. Checks should be made payable to the Sydney Prize Fund. The Committee thanks all of those who have contributed so generously to date.