iSTAR presents · Tuesday 8 December 2026

The Bokey Prize 2026

Honouring the legacy of Professor Les Bokey. Pitch your research idea Shark Tank style for a cash prize, then go head to head to compete for further prizes in a surgical skills and training competition.

When
Tue 8 December
6:30pm
Where
Perich Centre
Ingham Institute
Catering
Food & drinks
provided
RSVP nowSee the program
Professor Les Bokey at the presentation of the Bokey Prize, iSTAR Research Gala 2025
The Bokey Prize, iSTAR Research Gala 2025
The program

Two ways to compete

01

The Bokey Prize: research pitch

In the spirit of Shark Tank, presenters have 10 minutes to pitch an original research proposal to a panel of judges, then field their questions. A cash prize goes to the best proposal.

It’s a chance to put an idea in front of experienced surgeons and researchers, get candid feedback, and find the supervisors and collaborators to turn it into a real project. Every idea is welcome, from a focused audit to a multi-centre study, and the discussion is designed to spark new research ideas for everyone in the room.

02

Surgical skills & training competition

Then go head to head to compete for further prizes in our surgical skills and training competition: laparoscopic suturing, knot tying and bowel anastomosis, with guidance from surgeons and registrars on the night.

About the prize

The Bokey Prize honours Professor Les Bokey and his legacy in colorectal surgery, celebrating curiosity, mentorship and the next generation of surgical researchers.

When
Tuesday 8 December 2026
6:30pm
Where
Perich Centre
Ingham Institute
Catering
Food and drinks provided
Parking
Plenty of street parking, or park at Westfield Liverpool

RSVP

Let us know you’re coming so we can plan catering.

Your details are used only to organise this event.

Surgical research & education · Sydney

Transform. Discover. Inspire.

iSTAR brings surgeons, trainees, junior doctors and medical students together to grow surgical research, teaching and innovation in Sydney.

Get involvedSee our work
2024Founded by local surgeons
10+Active research projects
PartnersUniversities and the Ingham Institute
Year-roundResearch and education events throughout the year
What we do

Our areas of focus

Supporting clinicians at every stage of their career, from medical student to consultant.

Trying a robotic surgery simulator
01

Innovation

Students practising surgical skills
02

Surgical Teaching

iSTAR members presenting research posters
03

Research

Guests at the iSTAR Research Gala
Latest highlight · December 2025

The iSTAR Research Gala

An evening celebrating curiosity, mentorship and the shared pursuit of better patient care, with a keynote address by Professor Les Bokey and presentations from our research teams.

View the gallery

From ideas to action

There’s a place for you

Whether your passion is teaching, small audits, data collection or research writing, you can contribute to projects that shape surgical care in our community.

Share a research idea
A surgeon teaching at the Surgical Skills Night