One of the cutest smiles in Australia comes from our very own backyard this year, with a Mount Isa girl winning the Bonds Baby Search 2017.
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Mila Huntley won the Australian underwear brand’s favour in the Bonds Choice Prize for the 19 months – 3 year age group.
More than 65,000 babies and toddlers entered the competition, which is in its 13th year.
Amber Huntley found out her daughter had won when a friend messaged her after seeing it announced on Sunrise.
“They announced the winners on Sunrise with Kochie and Mel, and I found out from friends,” she said.
“We were so shocked and excited as there were so many entries Australia wide, and so many beautiful babies and toddlers,” Amber said.
Amber said when she entered her daughter in the contest for a third year in a row, she didn’t expect Mila to win.
“I thought it’s the last year to enter her in so I might as well, you’ve got to be in to win.
“But there’s that many parents that enter their children, I didn’t actually think she’d win at all,” she said.
She’s my cheeky monkey, and she’s got a whole lot of sass now she’s turning three.
- Mila's mum Amber Huntley
“Everybody thinks their child is gorgeous, but I just never actually thought that she would win it.
“I thought maybe being in Mount Isa might not be in our favour, being so far away.
“They contacted me saying she’d been selected for the shortlist, which brought it down to four boys and four girls, and she was then selected as Bonds Choice.”
The prize is a trip to Melbourne to be part of a photo shoot campaign for Bonds, including flights and accommodation.
“They’re going to confirm the date with us soon, but at this stage it’s going to be in May,” she said.
The people’s choice category is based on votes, but the Bonds choice awards are selected by the company itself.
Mila’s winning photo was a candid snap taken on Amber’s phone in a friend’s backyard.
“It was just a natural photo of her being cheeky, and that’s what she is, she’s my cheeky monkey, and she’s got a whole lot of sass now she’s turning three,” she said.
Mila turns three next week, and is an only child.
In the picture Mila wears an outfit by local label Sage, run by a friend of Amber’s.
Last year the competition required babies to wear a Bonds onesie, this year the photo had to simply depict the child’s personality.
”She doesn’t quite understand it all but I told her she was going on an aeroplane and she would be in some photos,” Amber said.
Meanwhile, Mila has been modelling for various friends on Instagram, with several companies sending her clothes to wear.
