Australians are world-renowned for their community spirit, good nature and willingness to lend a helping hand when it’s needed most. These qualities are being proudly recognised by Sensis on the cover of the Yellow™ and White Pages® directory, which this year features Yass resident Sue Gaffney.

Sue is a shining example of this year’s cover theme ‘Champions of our Community’ and was humbled to learn of her selection to feature on the front cover, having been nominated by members of the local Canberra community.

Sue is a true champion of the community, having volunteered enormous amounts of her time to various causes in her community for almost 20 years.

In 2005, Sue organised a major fundraising calendar, which raised nearly $30,000 for CanAssist, to help local families dealing with cancer.

Sue volunteers at the Yass Red Cross, assisting elderly people living on their own. Sue also contributes her time to Cos-Care, visiting elderly women in the area where she paints their nails, sits and chats and gets involved in various other activities. Sue is also a volunteer for Meals on Wheels.

Sue is an active fundraiser at local schools and is involved with Yass Education Foundation, which assists rural students financially towards furthering their education.

Sue was awarded the Yass Valley Citizen of the Year in 2006.

“Canberra is a tight knit community, so to be recognised on the front cover of the Yellow™ and White Pages® directory is a real honour,” Sue said.

“I really appreciate the opportunity to step forward and represent such a progressive and vibrant community that draws life and inspiration from its heritage, the land and its generous people.”

Group Manager, White Pages®, Melissa Reynolds believes the ‘Champions of our Community’ theme provides Sensis with an opportunity to recognise outstanding Australians who champion causes for the benefit of their communities.

“There are some really amazing people in our country making invaluable contributions to their local areas. Local people such as Sue are inspiring examples of the positive effect one person can have on their wider region,” Ms Reynolds said.

Sue replaces Heather McKay on the cover of the Canberra directory, who was featured last year as part of the ‘Aussie Sporting Heroes’ cover theme on the Yellow™ and White Pages® directory.

With the Yellow™ and White Pages® directories commencing distribution within the Canberra directory region on 17 March and being used by more than 196,000 residents a month, the ‘Champions of our Community’ theme is an important part of Sensis’ commitment to be involved with the local communities in which it operates.

Also playing an integral role in the lives of the Canberra community is the White Pages® OnLine site, which is now home to almost 8.5 million residential, business and government listings. In 2006, there were more than 2.05 million residential searches conducted on www.whitepages.com.au by people in ACT.

Likewise, yellow.com.au continues to connect people with local businesses and in 2006 received more than 1,618,711 searches from Australians searching for businesses in ACT.

With the 2007/08 directories now being delivered, Ms Reynolds also encouraged residents and businesses to consider the environment by recycling their old directories.

“In most areas of the country, Yellow™ and White Pages® directories can be recycled as part of normal kerbside recycling services, but if locals 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.