Louise Davidson AM

After losing her 52-year-old mother to breast cancer, Louise was one of a group of volunteers working for Women In Super – a national network of women associated with the superannuation industry – who established the Mother's Day Classic in 1998. In that first year, the fun run attracted more than 5000 entrants nationally and raised $70,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF).

For the next seven years, Louise managed the event as a volunteer, devoting much time and energy into building its profile and increasing participation and locations.

Since 2004, Louise has been employed part-time as national organiser for the Mother's Day Classic. She still devotes a great deal of voluntary hours to the event and to other initiatives associated with it, including the Women in Super Scholarships for breast cancer researchers, in which she has played a pivotal role.

Thanks to Louise's continued commitment and leadership, the Mother's Day Classic has become a key event on Australia's fun run calendar. In 2007 it had a turnout of 50,000 entrants and raised $850,000 for the NBCF.

Louise's inclusive approach to running the Mother's Day Classic has meant it has become an occasion that provides comfort to people who have lost someone to the disease, support for women who are fighting it and a rallying point for those who have beaten it.

In 2006, in recognition of her contribution, the National Breast Cancer Foundation awarded Louise the Patron's Award for Outstanding Commitment to Breast Cancer Research.

With one in eight women diagnosed with breast cancer during their life, Louise's work has touched the lives of thousands of women and their families.