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 Swifts Creek residents Deirdre Jack and Valerie McCann, have made to their communities through the arts by featuring them on the cover of the 2009/10 Yellow Pages® and White Pages® directories.

Deirdre and Valerie were thrilled to learn they would appear on the cover of the Eastern Victoria 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.

Both Deirdre and Valerie work for the Great Alpine Gallery, a not-for-profit organisation providing an exhibition space for artists in Omeo, Swifts Creek and district and also offers various community workshops including pottery, painting, sculpture, woodwork and other crafts.

Valerie is one of the Gallery’s founding members, stirred into action after recognising that the artistic opportunities for those living in rural Victorian communities were often very limited. As well as providing opportunities for locals to become involved in the arts, the Gallery also supports the community by donating to a number of charitable causes.

“All profits from exhibitions we host are donated to a number of local charities such as the Bush Nurses, Omeo Hospital and resources for the Town Hall,” Valerie said.

Deirdre is the Great Alpine Gallery’s President Curator, coordinating a number of community based art projects. In 2008, Deirdre and a small group completed a tiled mosaic seat along the Great Alpine Road at Swifts Creek.

“The Great Alpine Gallery has quickly become the cultural heart of the arts in Swifts Creek. The community has really been behind all of the projects we have undertaken, and now many public art pieces decorate the town,” Deirdre said.

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 Deirdre and Valerie 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.”

“Deirdre and Valerie are fine examples of creative Australians who, through a love of the arts, are helping to inspire others and foster art and culture in the local community,” Ms Blackley said.

Deirdre and Valerie replace Elaine Jenkins on the cover of the Eastern Victoria 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 4 April 2009, 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.