The Chris Silagy Prize

Chris Silagy, AO, MD

Chris Silagy (1960-2001) was the founding Director of the Australasian Cochrane Centre, a former Chair of the Cochrane Collaboration Steering Group and instrumental in the development and success of The Cochrane Collaboration. Chris was energetic, positive and inspiring. Before his death in December 2001, Chris expressed a wish for a Fund to be established, to be held by the Monash Foundation. Chris initiated this fund with his own contribution, and requested donations be made to it instead of flowers or other tributes after his death.

Chris requested that this Fund be used to recognise contributions to The Cochrane Collaboration in ways that are often insufficiently recognised; for example, providing administration, management, Colloquium organisation, communication and motivation - in short, the 'glue' that helps to keep The Cochrane Collaboration together. The establishment and perpetuation of the Prize was approved by the Cochrane Collaboration Steering Group in April 2002.

The Chris Silagy Prize

The Chris Silagy Prize is awarded at every Cochrane Colloquium to an individual who has made an “extraordinary” contribution to the work of The Cochrane Collaboration.

The Prize consists of AU$1,000 (drawn from the Chris Silagy Memorial Fund), a certificate which includes the words 'for an extraordinary contribution to the work of The Cochrane Collaboration', and expenses associated with attending the Colloquium (to be met by The Cochrane Collaboration). Potential recipients of the Chris Silagy Prize are required to have:

• made an extraordinary contribution to The Cochrane Collaboration;
• made a contribution that exceeds the expectations of their employment;
• made a contribution to The Cochrane Collaboration that would not be recognised outside the scope of this Prize;
• been identified by their peers as consistently contributing to a spirit of collaboration.

Nominations and selection

A call for nominations is made via The Cochrane Collaboration’s mailing lists in April each year. A selection panel of three individuals is appointed from past members of the Steering Group and its advisory committees, and the previous year's Prize recipient (if not conflicted). A governing committee oversees the Prize.

Chris Silagy Prize recipients 

	2002 - Jini Hetherington, Cochrane Collaboration Secretariat
	2003 - Gill Gyte, Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group
	2004 - Sonja Henderson, Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group
	2005 - Janet Wale, Cochrane Consumer Network
	2006 - Monica Kjeldstrøm, Nordic Cochrane Centre
	2007 - Heather Maxwell, Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases Group
	2008 - Rasmus Moustgaard, Nordic Cochrane Centre
	2009 - Kate Cahill, Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group
	2010 - Chris Mavergames, Web Operations Manager, German Cochrane Centre
	2011 - Martin Janczyk and Juliane Ried, German Cochrane Centre

Governing Committee for the Chris Silagy Prize

Sally Green
Jini Hetherington (from 2003)
Philippa Middleton
Jane Russell (Silagy)

Donations to the Chris Silagy Prize Fund

Donations to this Fund are most welcome.

Cheques should be made payable to 'The Silagy Fund, Monash University' and sent to The Development Office, Building 65, Monash University 3800, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.

Credit card donations (MasterCard, Bankcard and Visa only) can be faxed to +61 3 9905 2944.  The credit card number should be written clearly, and the fax must include the expiry date of the credit card, the name exactly as it appears on the card, and the card holder's full name and address.

Telephone donations can be made to Sara Kelly, The Development Office, Monash University, University Development and Alumni, on +61 3 9905 9957.

Donors to the Chris Silagy Prize Fund

Individual donors:
Professor Leon Piterman; Mrs Pamela R Herman; Professor Elsdon Storey; Ms Lyn Roberts; Dr Wendy Rogers; Professor David Hill; Ms Frances Fairman; Professor Amy E Zelmer; Mr Eric L Garner, AM; Mrs Suzanne Strangward; Dr Rosemary L Nixon; Mrs Joan M McPhee; Mr John L McPhee; Professor Stephen J Duckett; Ms Pauline Pellegrini; Mr NG Taylor; Dr JL Linn; Dr JS Linn; Ms Margaret F Broadhead; Professor Godfrey Fowler; Mrs Jeannett L Hall; Mrs R Allen; Mr Ken R Strangward; Mr Julian F Coles; Ms Janet Coles; Professor MP Vessey.

Institutional donors:
National Heart Foundation of Australia; Mt Waverley District Scout Association

 

See also section 2.4.2 of the Policy Manual.