The prize includes a trip for two to Singapore, including roundtrip airfare from the US and airport transfers. The winner and a guest will explore the dynamic city’s vibrant culture, striking architecture, and rich heritage with sightseeing tour passes. They will also have the opportunity to enjoy on-circuit live entertainment throughout the Grand Prix weekend.

Besides the main prize, there are also special awards for young people who have demonstrated great care and compassion for their fellow citizens. One of the winners this year was Muhammad Dinie from the Institute of Technical Education, College Central (ITE), who led a team that gave appreciation to Town Council cleaners during the Covid-19 pandemic. “The most important thing is that we are not doing this for the money,” he said. “We do it because we want to show our gratitude for the hard work that they have done.”

Other winners include the makers of solar-powered dryers and a soil carbon marketplace, which won this year’s Earthshot prize. The award, which was launched by Britain’s Prince William, honours individuals and organisations whose solutions demonstrate that “hope does remain” as climate change exacerbates global challenges. The 15 finalists, which also include groups that make electric car batteries cleaner and restore Andean forests, received $1 million each to scale up their efforts.

Meanwhile, the winning project for the prestigious World Architecture Festival (WAF) top prize went to Kampung Admiralty, a community and public space in Singapore that was built after an earthquake in China’s Yunnan province in 2014. It is the first building designed by a Singaporean firm to claim the title, after the Interlace and a stacked apartment complex in Germany.

A book about the lives of ordinary Singaporeans took centre stage in this year’s National University of Singapore (NUS) History Prize shortlist. Seven Hundred Years: A History of Singapore (2019, available here) by Kwa Chong Guan, Tan Tai Yong, Peter Borschberg and Derek Heng was among the titles that forgoed the traditional view of history as a record of big movers and shakers. Other entries include Kamaladevi Aravindan’s novel Sembawang and Timothy P. Barnard’s Imperial Creatures, which examines the relationship between humans and animals in colonial Singapore.

The literary prize, which was first awarded in 1992 and operates in four languages, also includes a consumer-voted category that recognises works of fiction and creative nonfiction with a Singapore connection. The authors of this year’s shortlisted books included Clara Chow, who is the first writer in the program’s 30 years to be shortlisted in three categories and two languages. Other finalists include Jeremy Tiang for his English translation of Zhang Yueran’s Cocoon, a story about two childhood friends who uncover dark secrets from their family histories. All six winners receive a cash prize and a trophy, along with the chance to showcase their works in a book fair next month. More than 4,000 people voted for their favourite works in this round of reader-chosen awards.

A swimming pool is an investment in both your family’s health and the resale value of your home. However, not all Sydney pools are created equal and the initial cost will vary significantly depending on your desired design and features. The key is to ensure that the company you choose explains all of the costs involved upfront – including site preparation, excavation and tip fees, concrete pouring, tiling and if the pool requires a crane to be installed.

Swimming is a great way to keep fit and healthy, but the cost of swimming at the local pool can add up quickly. Fortunately, there are many ways to save money on swimming costs while still enjoying all of the benefits that a pool brings to your life.

The best way to save money on swimming costs is to swim regularly at a private pool, rather than at a public pool. Private pools are often much cheaper than public pools, and they can offer a variety of extras like heated swimming and spas, underwater lighting and private changing rooms. Besides saving money, private swimming pools are also a great option for families with children as they provide more privacy and safety.

If you are looking for a new swimming pool for your home, be sure to check out the Pool + Spa Design category, which holds a wide range of Sydney’s best pool designers. They can help you create the pool of your dreams, whether it’s a stunning freeform beauty or a simple lap pool. The category also includes specialists who can add the finishing touches, such as mosaic-tiled interiors and shimmering crystal aggregate pool lining.

Among Sydney’s most iconic swimming pools are the Elkington Park Baths in Balmain, which were built in 1883 and named after the Olympic champion of that time, Murray Rose. The baths are a great location for those who want to do some serious laps and boast a constant temperature of 27C, making them ideal for swimmers wanting to hone their skills.

Another famous local pool is the Figure 8 Pools in Royal National Park, a series of natural formations that are perfectly carved by the force of the waves. This amazing natural phenomenon is a must-see attraction for anyone who visits Australia.

In the past, sdy pools were made from materials such as vinyl or fibreglass, but today’s modern materials offer superior durability and less maintenance than older options. For example, new vinyl pool liners are coated with a gel finish that prevents the growth of algae and bacteria in the water, which means you will need fewer chemicals to maintain your swimming area.

While the cost of new swimming pools has increased, there is evidence that the community has recognised their importance with a claimed increase in visitation at February’s Sydney Pool & Spa Expo and Victorian show. This is likely driven by the fact that Australians are becoming more aware of the importance of swimming, as well as the cost savings associated with pool ownership.