Zonta International support an award to uplift innovation and celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Each year, applications are received by clubs, and successful applicants then move through the District and finally International categories, until 16 awardees are chosen. The award provides US $10000 to each awardee, as well as a complimentary one year membership to Zonta International for the next year. Information about the Zonta Women in STEM Award can be found here.
In 2026, Zonta Club of Sydney received a number of very strong applications for the STEM award. And we were absolutely delighted when one of the applicants, Sally Hurst, was eventually successful in receiving one of the International Awards!
Sally is a paleontologist, archaeologist and science educator who has created her own “Found a Fossil” Project and business which educates the public on what to do if you find a fossil or an Indigenous artefact. She tours this project around Australia, has written a book and presents to students across the country. You can find out more about Sally’s work at her website, https://www.foundafossil.com/
As well as her own business, Sally is an Adjunct Fellow in the School of Natural Sciences at Macquarie University. And we hope that perhaps she may be able to lead a special Zonta fossil hunting trip at some point in the future! You can read Sally’s bio (as well as all the other 2026 awardees) below.
Zonta Club of Sydney offers our congratulations to Sally and all the awardees – we also had the pleasure of hearing from Sally at our recent 60th birthday celebrations.
For any enquiries on this or other awards please contact the club zontaclubsydney@gmail.com
Zonta Club of Sydney 