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 Seymour Forge resident Steve Wolfe, have made to their communities through the arts by featuring them on the cover of the 2009/10 Yellow Pages® and White Pages® directories.

Steve was thrilled to learn he would appear on the cover of the Wangaratta 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.

For over 10 years, local blacksmith Steve has mentored the students of Seymour Technical High School, St Mary’s College Seymour, Seymour Special School and clients from Seymour Mental Illness Fellowship in the art of blacksmithing. Teaching both traditional and contemporary blacksmithing methods, Steve encourages students to create their own unique art works.

The students Steve works with often start with low confidence and limited skills, but through Steve’s positive attitude and approach – “if you make a mistake, we’ll just call it art” – many great pieces have been developed and displayed for public viewing throughout Mitchell Shire.

“Metal art is a very unique medium which, in turn, produces some very unique works of art. The hands-on experience which all of my students receive helps them understand that their hard work reaps great rewards. It’s gratifying to see their self-confidence soar when they’ve made something special,” said Steve.

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 Steve 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.”

“Steve 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.

Steve replaces Maureen Titcumb on the cover of the Wangaratta directory, who was featured last year as part of the Celebrating Australian Flavour theme.

Due to parts of the Wangaratta Yellow Pages and White Pages directory region being affected by the Victorian bushfires, the following areas will not receive directories during the first round of distribution commencing Thursday 19 February: Beechworth, Beveridge, Bright, Broadford, Buxton, Eildon, Goughs Bay, Jamieson, Kilmore, Kinglake, Mt Beauty, Mt Buller, Myrtleford, Strath Creek, Wallan, Wandong, Whittlesea, Woods Point, Yackandandah and Yea.

Sensis is committed to local communities, our customers and the small business sector and aims to tangibly support the rebuilding of the impacted communities. Sensis will monitor the situation and on the advice of local authorities, will endeavour to provide these areas with directories when deemed appropriate.

Residents requiring a copy of their local White Pages® and Yellow Pages® directories can pick up a copy from their local Australia Post outlet or by contacting Sensis on 1800 810 211.

With the 2009/10 Yellow Pages® and White Pages® directories commencing distribution on Thursday 19 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.