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

Kerrie was thrilled to learn she would appear on the cover of the Maryborough 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.

Kerrie is the President of the Hervey Bay Council for The Arts and organiser of the Hervey Bay Jazz and Blues Festival. The inaugural festival took place at the Urangan Marina early in November 2008, providing locals and tourists with access to free entertainment, street performances and food and wine stalls. The event also provided aspiring musicians with the opportunity to workshop alongside internationally renowned artists.

Kerrie also coordinates a number of art exhibitions for locals including the Senior’s Talent Quest, Junior’s Talent Quest, Poetry in the Gallery and Sundays in the Park. Sundays in the Park aims to get the local community involved in activities including music and craft, games and competitions.

“Hervey Bay is quickly becoming a culturally iconic destination for tourists and up-and-coming artists, as can be seen from the crowds who attended our local festivals. The region is such a vibrant place and this sentiment is translated into the performances and atmosphere of our community events,” said Kerrie.

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 Kerrie are 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.”

“Kerrie 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.

Kerrie replaces Cliff Fleming on the cover of the Maryborough 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 21 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.