White Pages Covers Program

Courageous Australian Ben Tullipan to feature on Gold Coast's Yellow Pages® and White Pages®

June 10, 2010

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Each year, locals are featured on the covers of the Yellow Pages® and 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, Upper Coomera resident, Ben Tullipan has been selected to appear on the cover of this year’s Gold Coast directory which is distributed to Gold Coast and surrounding regions.

The 2002 Bali bombings were the deadliest attack of terrorism in the history of Indonesia, killing over 200 people.  Labelled as Australia’s worst injured survivor of the bombings, Ben has courageously overcome his injuries to assist fellow survivors of large scale disasters as well as local Gold Coast amputees.

Suffering more than 63 per cent burns to his body and loss of both his legs, not only did Ben fight on and survive the ordeal, but he walks again thanks to two prosthetic legs and his ‘never say die’ attitude.

Ben frequently visits local hospitals to share his experience with fellow amputees, helping to boost their morale and demonstrate that there is life after enduring significant setbacks.

“It is important for people who have had an amputation to know there are other people in similar situations that continue  to live normal, fulfilling lives. By visiting hospitals I try to instill hope and confidence in those who face similar obstacles,” said Ben.

Ben is the vice president of Queensland Amputee Golf and also runs Zero to One Foundation’s Australian branch, which provided the largest assistance effort in the reconstruction of Indonesian villages in the aftermath of the Boxing Day tsunami in 2006.

Distribution of Gold Coast Yellow Pages® and White Pages® is planned to start on 12 June 2010 and it will take approximately six 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 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. 

Did you know? The last three local people to appear on the Gold Coast Yellow Pages® and White Pages® cover were: 

2009/10: Mermaid Waters resident, Mariam Arcilla, appeared on the 2009/10 Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® cover under the theme ‘Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities’. Mariam is the founder of tinygold, a not for profit artist run initiative that encourages members of the community to interact with local artists. 

2008/09: Michael and Alla Ward from North Tamborine graced the 2008/09 ‘Celebrating Australian Flavour’ theme cover, selected for running the award winning Tamborine Mountain Distillery.  

2007/08: Tugan residents, Kylie Mitchell-Smith and Natasha Edwards, were the cover heroes for the ‘Champions of our Community’ theme, chosen for their work founding the Swell Sculpture Festival.