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 Port Augusta resident Ethel Anderson, have made to their communities through the arts by featuring them on the cover of the 2009/10 Yellow Pages® and White Pages® directories.

Ethel was thrilled to learn she would appear on the cover of the Port Augusta 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.

Ethel co-founded Anderson Dancers Theatre Promoters nearly 40 years ago, staging productions in front of an adoring Port Augusta audience. Since establishing the company, Ethel has held various roles writing, promoting and directing performances, most of which raised money for a number of charities throughout the region. To this day, Ethel is still busily involved in costume development and facilitates regular dance and drama tuition for children and adults.

“Anderson Dancers has given me an incredible opportunity to work with the community of Port Augusta and encourage people to embrace the performing arts. Dance is a powerful and creative outlet for people of all ages and I’m proud that we’re continuing to attract new members who use dance not only as a form of exercise, but expression,” said Ethel.

For her services to the arts in Port Augusta, Ethel was awarded an OAM in 1983, named Port Augusta Citizen of the Year in 1988, Bank SA Senior of the Year in 1992 and was dubbed Ambassador for the arts in Port Augusta in 1995.

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 Ethel 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 Pages® 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.”

“Ethel 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.

Ethel replaces Maurie Mezzino on the cover of the Port Augusta 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 14 February, 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.