White Pages Covers Program

Courageous Australian Amy Pope featured on Perth's White Pages

September 17, 2010

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Each year, local people are featured on the covers of the White Pages® directories in recognition of the contributions they make to their communities. Under the theme Courageous Australians, this year directories producer, Sensis, is recognising courageous people who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to overcome adversity and help others in their time of need.

After receiving nominations from community members for the annual honour, Huntingdale resident, Amy Pope has been selected to appear on the cover of this year’s Perth Residential White Pages®. 

Amy showed tremendous courage on Good Friday in 2009, where she played an instrumental role in the rescue of her family and friend.

Fourteen year-old, Amy was swimming in a tractor tube at Cottesloe Beach with her brother and family friend when they found themselves trapped in a dangerous rip that was dragging them out to sea.

The trio let go of the tube in an attempt to swim across the current to shore. After many attempts, Amy managed to reach shore alone with the others still  in the rip. Despite being in shock, vomiting sea water and suffering from exhaustion, Amy ran 200 metres for help and eventually found someone with a mobile phone. She then immediately charged 300 metres to the top of the dunes to find mobile reception to call emergency services for help.

When Amy returned to the beach, she found her sister and another friend in shock and suffering hyperthermia after attempting to rescue her brother and their friend. At such a young age, Amy showed tremendous initiative  to warm and calm the pair by making them hug the family dog, Chopper, until emergency services arrived.

Amy’s brother was able to eventually swim to shore, but unfortunately, the family friend was never found. 

“Amy certainly showed a maturity beyond her years on that day and we’re very proud of her. Without her quick thinking, who knows what could have happened. Amy always says that she gains strength and courage from her family but we get it from her,” said Amy’s mother, Jacki.

For Amy’s extraordinary bravery and initiative in this life-threatening situation, she was awarded the Child of Courage medal in 2009.

Distribution of Perth White Pages® is planned to start on 18 September 2010 and it will take approximately nine weeks for the directories to be delivered to all households.

Yellow Pages® and White Pages® print and online directories are now carbon neutral under the Australian Government’s Greenhouse Friendly™ Program. Sensis will offset the carbon emissions of its directories through Greenhouse Friendly™ accredited providers and projects in Australia.

Sensis encourages residents and businesses to recycle their old directories. In most areas, Yellow Pages® and White Pages® can be recycled as part of normal kerbside recycling services. Visit www.recyclingnearyou.com.au to find out about recycling services in your area.

Residents and businesses can choose not to receive a copy of the White Pages and/or Yellow Pages® by calling Sensis on 1800 008 292 or by visiting directoryselect.com.au. 

Did you know? The last three local people who appeared on the Perth Residential White Pages® cover were:

2009/10: Carlisle resident, Bernard Carney, graced the Perth White Pages® Residential directory cover as the community choir director of Spirit of the Streets Choir. The choir aims to help homeless and disadvantaged people find their voice in the community

2008/09: Kate Lamont, one of Western Australia’s foremost advocates for food, wine and tourism appeared on the Perth White Pages® Residential cover for her support of quality regional produce

2007/08: Parmelia resident, Don Atkins, was chosen for his extensive community work with the St John Volunteer First Aid Service, spanning over 13 years.