2011 judging panel meets in Sydney

Released 18 February 2011

On Thursday, 17 February 2011, the judging panel met in Sydney to perform the incredibly difficult task of sorting through the nominations to select this year's state and territory finalists.

Judges 2011

“We have received thousands of nominations from across Australia and there are so many sincere expressions of love, gratitude and inspiration conveyed in these nominations," said Bill Petch, Barnardos Australia's marketing manager. “We don't envy the judges - in our eyes all the mums who have been nominated are winners.”

The 2011 judging panel included (pictured left to right) Dianne Jagelman, former director of Barnardos Australia, panel chair; Damien Leith, singer, songwriter and awards ambassador; Jo Wiles, deputy-editor, The Australian Women’s Weekly; Dr Ginni Mansberg, family GP, Sunrise medical advisor, columnist, and awards ambassador; Rebecca Higgins, Sydney Polo Club and philanthropist; Mara Lee, acting editor-in-chief, Home Beautiful, The Outdoor Room, Your Garden; Jacqi Slade, marketing manager, Johnson's Adult & Baby; Dennis Coard, actor and awards ambassador (voted remotely via telephone linkup)

The state and territory finalists will be notified by early March and invited to a morning tea ceremony in their state or territory. To find out when your state's winner will be announced visit the awards calendar.

Every mum nominated in the awards will receive an acknowledgement letter from us, which includes details of who nominated her and why.

We are sincerely grateful to our judges for taking time out of their busy schedules to participate in the judging process.