Creativity comes in a surprising range of shapes and sizes in Australia and is often the inspiration behind people becoming involved in their local community. This year, Sensis is celebrating the contribution creative Australians, such as Gilgandra resident Gail Naden, have made to their communities through the arts by featuring them on the cover of the 2009/10 Yellow Pages® and White Pages® directories.

Gail was thrilled to learn she would appear on the cover of the Dubbo directory after being nominated by members of the local community to represent the entire region as the epitome of this year’s theme – Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities.

Gail assists with classroom activities with students at a number of schools throughout the region, including Gilgandra Public and Gilgandra High Schools, where she inspires an appreciation for Aboriginal culture through teaching the arts and sharing traditional Australian stories.

Currently, Gail is working with students at the Gilgandra High School on the creation of a mural on school grounds. Gail also contributes her time to community art projects through Outback Arts, facilitating workshops in a range of disciplines including visual and performing arts.

“Working with children is very rewarding. I think it’s terrific to be able to share some traditional Australian culture with younger generations through art as it’s a great and fun way to help convey these messages,” Gail said.

Gail’s own artistic pursuits have received wide acclaim. Her paintings appear in galleries throughout the region, with many of her pieces having been commissioned, including the piece in the newly built Warrumbungle National Park Visitor Information Centre. Gail is also currently working with the Dubbo Western Plains Cultural Centre on a group exhibition to be held mid-2009.

Group Manager, White Pages®, Jane Blackley, said the theme Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities provided Sensis with a great opportunity to recognise Australians who are helping to build stronger community relationships through their advocacy of the arts.

“Right across the country, there are people like Gail making amazing contributions to their communities through the arts so this year we thought we would put the spotlight on them by featuring them on the cover of the Yellow™ and White Pages® directories.”

“Whether it’s performing, teaching, hosting exhibitions, raising money or administering arts programs, this year’s cover subjects are all dedicated to establishing ways for local people to become involved in the arts and to share and develop their creativity.”

“Gail is a fine example of a creative Australian who, through a love of the arts, is helping to inspire others and foster art and culture in the local community,” Ms Blackley said.

Gail replaces Ken Borchardt on the cover of the Dubbo directory, who was featured last year as part of the Celebrating Australian Flavour theme.

With the 2009/10 Yellow Pages® and White Pages® directory commencing distribution on Saturday 31 January, Ms Blackley encouraged residents and businesses to recycle their old directories.

“In most areas, Yellow Pages® and White Pages® directories can be recycled as part of normal kerbside recycling services, but if people are unsure they can log onto www.recyclingnearyou.com.au to find out about recycling services available in their local area,” she said.

About Sensis

Sensis is Telstra's advertising business and Australia's leading directories information resource, helping Australians find, buy and sell. Sensis delivers innovative and integrated local search and digital marketing solutions via print, online, voice and mobile channels to connect Australians 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sensis' powerful, multi-channel portfolio provides an unparalleled local information source incorporating the White Pages® and Yellow Pages® directories; the MediaSmart digital advertising business; the Whereis® digital mapping business; the Citysearch® entertainment and lifestyle website; the sensis.com.au search engine; the 1234 operator-assisted, premium voice information service; and the accommodation website gostay.com.au. Sensis is also a partner in some of China's most popular websites including real estate and home furnishings website, SouFun.com; auto websites Autohome.com and Che168.com; and digital devices websites IT168.com and PCPop.com.cn.