2.4.2 Chris Silagy Prize

Chris Silagy, AO, MD

Chris Silagy was the founding Director of the Australasian Cochrane Centre (1994 to 2001), 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 on 13 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. At the Cochrane Collaboration Steering Group meeting in April 2002, the establishment and perpetuation of this Prize was approved, with The Cochrane Collaboration agreeing to contribute in kind to the Prize, by supporting the recipient’s attendance at the Colloquium to receive the Prize.

The Chris Silagy Prize

The Chris Silagy Prize is awarded at every Cochrane Colloquium to an individual (or team) who has made an extraordinary contribution to the work of The Cochrane Collaboration. The Prize consists of 1000 Australian dollars (drawn from the Chris Silagy Memorial Fund), a certificate which includes the words ‘for an extraordinary contribution to the work of The Cochrane Collaboration’ (that would not be recognised outside the scope of this prize) and expenses associated with attending the Colloquium (to be met by The Cochrane Collaboration).

Scope

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 (publishing a piece of research work or preparing a Cochrane systematic review do not fall within the scope of this Prize as they qualify for other awards and methods of recognition);
• been identified by their peers as consistently contributing to a spirit of collaboration.

A call for nominations for the Chris Silagy Prize is made through the Cochrane Collaboration mailing lists in April each year. Nominations should include a nominator, two seconders and a one-page supporting document outlining how the nominee meets the selection criteria. A selection panel of three individuals is appointed each year from past members of the Steering Group and its advisory groups, and the previous year’s Prize recipient (if unconflicted). A Governing Committee (see below) oversees this Prize.

Governing committee

Jane Russell (Silagy)

Sally Green

Jini Hetherington (from 2003)

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 cardholder’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.