Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard is part of a judging panel for Canon's 'Creative for a Cause' campaign.

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Social Inclusion Julia Gillard will be one of four judges of the Canon Creative for a Cause campaign. The campaign encourages all Australians to support the causes they are most passionate about through creative imagery for the chance to win $60,000 for their nominated charity.

Canon Creative for a Cause targets the thousands of Australian charities in need of awareness and financial support and aims to inspire Australians through photography. Ms Gillard will be one of four judges for the campaign.

"As a nation, we are very passionate about supporting charitable organisations. There are many worthwhile causes in Australia, big and small, and it is important that we support them to ensure they can continue to service our community. I am delighted to be a judge for Canon Creative for a Cause and to further help raise awareness of the many great organisations and individuals who are doing so much for our great country," Gillard said.

Significance of charitable causes
Ms Gillard will be joined by, Charmaine Heyer, 2009 Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photographer of the Year, Kenji Kobayashi, Managing Director of Canon Australia and Alan Atwood, Editor of the Big Issue.

Canon Australia managing director,Kenji Kobayashi said that Ms Gillard’s involvement in Canon Creative for a Cause is testament to the importance of Australia’s charitable causes and the strength of this grass roots campaign.

"We’re delighted to have Ms Gillard on board as a judge for Canon Creative for a Cause. So far, the response from the Australian public to the campaign has been overwhelming and we’re looking forward to receiving many more inspirational images in the coming eight days.

"Over the past few weeks we have spoken to more than 100 Australian charities, and what they are telling us is that in the current economic climate, the demand for charitable services is on the rise," Kobayashi said.

Eight days left
With only eight days left until entries close, Canon is urging all Australians to log on to www.canon.com.au/creativeforacause and get Creative for a Cause.

Since the campaign launched, more than 1,770 images representing more than 336 charities have been uploaded to the site. Environmental causes are leading the way with over 30 % of the photos entered, confirming Australia’s love of the great outdoors.

The Judging Process
Twenty four images will be selected by popular vote and editor’s picks and will be reviewed by a judging panel who will then select the top five finalists.

From these top five images, one entry will be chosen based on popularity and photographic merit. Canon will then donate $60,000 to this entrant’s nominated charity.

In addition to the $60,000 donation, Canon will reward the winning entry and four other finalists with a Canon product prize pack.

People are encouraged to vote for their favourite images at www.canon.com.au/creativeforacause

Key dates
The Creative for a Cause campaign will close to entries on Friday 10 July. The top 24 finalists will be announced via the website - www.canon.com.au/creativeforacause - on Thursday 16 July, 2009. The judging panel will review the top 24 images and announce the top five finalists via the website on Friday 31 July, 2009. The winner will be announced on Thursday 6 August, 2009.