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 Roma resident Susan Klein, have made to their communities through the arts by featuring them on the cover of the 2009/10 Yellow Pages® and White Pages® directories.

Susan was thrilled to learn she would appear on the cover of the Roma 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.

Susan is the founder of ‘Art for Relaxation’, a volunteer-run art program which seeks to build confidence and socialisation skills for women in Southern Queensland who have been victims of abuse. With help from her sister Patsi, Susan conducts the program in a variety of locations throughout the region.

During the workshops, Susan encourages the class to appreciate the therapeutic benefit of art, guiding them through a range of activities to help them create unique pieces. The symbol of the program is the emu and participants are encouraged to decorate a silhouette of the bird on canvas, however they wish. This activity is designed to give the women the confidence to make their own decisions, instilling a sense of pride and promoting the idea that any decision they choose to make is valid and should be respected.

“It has been astounding to witness the healing power of art and the various ways it can improve someone’s confidence. It’s incredibly important that these women know they have a right, just like everyone else, to voice their opinion and make decisions about their own life, which they learn to express via art,” said Susan.

‘Art for Relaxation’ has now been adapted by other community service groups throughout Queensland. An academic from James Cook University is also writing a theory behind the program so it can be used to assist an even broader audience.

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 Susan 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.”

“Susan 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.

Susan replaces Jock and Mina Douglas on the cover of the Roma 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.