Judging panel

Each year, a panel of judges is given the arduous task of sorting through the thousands of nominations, and choosing who is to be named Barnardos Australia's Mother of the Year. The judging panel is made up of representatives from Barnardos Australia and supporters of the awards including Barnardos Australia board members, awards sponsors, ambassadors and media partners.

For the 2011 awards the judging panel included the following representatives:

• Dennis Coard, actor and awards ambassador
• Rebecca Higgins, Sydney Polo Club and philanthropist
• Dianne Jagelman, former director of Barnardos Australia, judging panel chair 
• Mara Lee, acting editor-in-chief, Home Beautiful, The Outdoor Room, Your Garden (Pacific Magazines)
• Damien Leith, singer, songwriter and awards ambassador
• Dr Ginni Mansberg, family GP, Sunrise (Network 7) medical advisor, columnist, and awards ambassador
• Jacqi Slade, marketing manager, Johnson's Adult & Baby (Johnson & Johnson Pacific)
• Jo Wiles, deputy-editor, The Australian Women’s Weekly (ACP Magazines)