Please carefully read the following Eligibility and Judging Criteria and Terms & Conditions before submitting a Nomination Form.

** Please Note: We want to hear the funny parenting stories, the embarrasing, the "whoops, oh dear" stories, those times where you scream "where's my medal". We know you love your kids, you don't need to convince us, and we already know you're awesome, so you don't need to convince us of that, either. Nominations not meeting this criteria will automatically be disregarded.

Eligibility Criteria and What Our Judges are Looking For

To the best of our knowledge, there has never ever been anything like this before!

Never has a Mum been so recognised for her Mum-ness, for being a Mum, for being normal - let alone being rewarded for it.

To make it easier for you, because its all very new to everyone, we've set out some eligibility criteria, and some ideas for you about what our Judges are looking for in the Real Mum of the Year. Over the weeks we will publish selected entries, just in case you're still not sure.

Eligibility...

• the nominee must be a Mum - which could mean anything really. Anyone that predominantly plays the role of Mum in your household. The nominee may also be a foster mum, a step mum, an adopted mum, a grandmum, a dad mum .....
• the nominee must be a resident or citizen of Australia (you want to be coming along to the event, don't you?!)
• you must complete the Nomination Form completely and accurately
• you must adhere to, comply with and agree to the Terms & Conditions of nomination below

Judging Criteria ...

What we don't want.

We know that you love your kids. We know that you are always there for them, and that you would do anything for them. We don't need to hear this, so please don't include it in your nomination.

What we DO want.

We are looking for Mums who can demonstrate the "realness" of being a Mum. We're after stories that make the rest of us feel "normal", that we're not the only ones that do these sorts of things. They don't have to be inspirational or heartwrenching. In fact, we prefer those stories that make us laugh until we cry.

Things like:

• consuming a entire family block of chocolate in front of your kids when they're misbehaving, as a form of discipline;
• dropping the kids off at school on a pupil free day (and having them brought home by a teacher);
• throwing tantrums in front of the kids because "they don't have to have a reason, why do I?" - and preferably in a public place;
• giving a trip to emergency a miss when your kid falls off the trampoline because its 5pm on a Saturday, it will be closed (or crowded), and, besides, you've just poured yourself a glass of wine ...

You get the gist, or you could visit Diary of a Mad Cow for some more ideas ...

Terms & Conditions

Please ensure you read these Terms & Conditions carefully prior to submitting a nomination form for the Award. By submitting a form, you are agreeing to these Terms & Conditions.

1. Information on how to enter the awards, and that on the Nomination Forms form part of these Terms & Conditions.
2. Entry is open to all Australian citizens, except employees of Real Mums Pty Ltd and Mums' Night Out! 2010 their families and associated agencies.
3. Nominations for the Real Mum of the Year Award 2010 ("the Award") open on the 1st of December 2009 and close midnight on the 31st of March 2010.
4. Nomination forms and/or photos submitted after this date will not be considered.
5. No responsibility is taken for any late or incomplete nominations.
6. Nominations must be made via the official website form, and submitted either online, or printed and sent via post to PO Box 1060 Moonee Ponds VIC 3039. All required information must be completed. 
7. The promoter is Real Mums Pty Ltd (Real Mums), ABN: 53 826 436 826 ACN: 113 769 207. 
8. This is not a game of chance. An official judging panel will select the finalists and winner.
9. Judging will be held on or around the 9th of April in Moonee Ponds.
10. Prize values are correct at the time of publishing. Prizes are not transferable, exchangeable or redeemable for cash. Prizes are at the promoters discretion and subject to change without notice, and/or may be replaced with an alternate prize of equal or equivalent $ value.
11. Nominees must agree to undertake all media and promotional activities as requested and directed by Real Mums.
12. Nominees and nominators must agree to the reproduction, in full or part, of the supporting statement of the nominator/nomination, including photographic material.
13. Photographs and nomination forms will not be returned.
14. Finalists will be notified by e-mail, and the winner/s will be announced at the presentation function held in Melbourne on 14th of May 2010 (Mums' Night Out!).
15. ALL Finalists MUST be in attendance at this event.
16. To the extent permitted by law, Real Mums (the promoter), their partners and sponsors make no representations or warranties as to the quality, suitability or merchantability of the prize/s and the promoter will not be liable for loss or damage, including personal injury, suffered whilst using the prize/s.
17. Real Mums partners and sponsors take no responsibility for any expenses, personal or otherwise, of any nominator, nominee, finalists or award winner/s, and/or other attendees at the event.
18. Nominators will forthwith make the nominees aware of the conditions of entry contained herein and published on www.realmumoftheyear.com.au, and obtain from the nominee all necessary authorisations, consent, documents and undertakings to meet the conditions of entry as required from time to time by Real Mums.
19. The nominator hereby releases Real Mums from all claims, demands, suits, judgements, cross claims and set-offs, including any claim in negligence arising out of or incidental to the conduct of The Real Mum of the Year Award, and hereby indemnifies Real Mums from any claim, including any claim in negligence initiated by the nominee.

 

Nominations may be submitted online, or you can print it off and send it to:

Real Mums
Real Mum of the Year Award
PO Box 1060
Moonee Ponds VIC 3039

For any enquiries, please e-mail info@realmumoftheyear.com.au

We look forward to receiving your nomination/s and being a part of celebrating motherhood.