White Pages Covers Program

Courageous Australian Jack Barnes to appear on 2010/11 Dubbo Yellow Pages and White Pages Cover

February 4, 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, Eugowra resident, Jack Barnes has been selected, to appear on the cover of this year’s Dubbo directory which is distributed to Cobar, Condobolin, Dubbo, Forbes, Parkes and Wellington.

 In 27 years of service as a Eugowra Ambulance Volunteer, Jack has regularly been the first on the scene at many serious road accidents, flood zones and bushfires to tend to casualties. As many people were evacuating their properties during the bushfires that raged throughout the Cabonne region in 2001, Jack rushed to the aid of many in peril.

 Jack joined the ambulance service because his community was in dire need of medical professionals. Too many lives were lost waiting for a response from units elsewhere in the region. Jack has been instrumental in saving the lives of many during the 1990 floods and the 2001 bushfires. He also spends much of his time teaching basic First Aid at local primary schools, equipping children with the knowledge to save lives too. Locals named him the Eugowra Citizen of the Year in 2009.

 “I am like the many ambulance officers who attend countless emergencies and without a second thought put their lives at risk. It is also important to educate the community on safety practices, which is why I also help out by conducting mental health awareness talks with local groups. It’s all part of the job but it is nice to be recognised by Sensis,” said Jack.

 Jane Blackley, White Pages® Group Manager, says we felt the Courageous Australians theme was particularly relevant with many parts of Australia having experienced testing times over the past couple of years.

 “Australians are known for their compassion and willingness to put their hand up to help when it’s needed most. Whether helping to build better community relationships, showing strong leadership, inspiring others, or acting in a major crisis to protect the lives of others, we really wanted to demonstrate the diversity of what it means to be courageous.

 “From the nominations received, we were amazed at the many people from all walks of life who have shown tremendous courage, either by risking their own life to save another, overcoming major challenges to inspire others or helping to ensure the wellbeing and safety of the community. 

 “We felt Jack was a great example of what it means to be a courageous Australian and we are delighted to feature him on the cover of the Dubbo directory,” said Ms Blackley.

 Distribution of Dubbo Yellow Pages® and White Pages® is planned to start on 6 February 2010 and it will take approximately six weeks for the directories to be delivered to all households.

 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 past three local people who appeared on the Dubbo Yellow Pages® and White Pages® cover were:

 2009/10: Gilgandra resident Gail Naden featured on the 2009/10 Yellow Pages® and White Pages® cover under the theme ‘Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities’. Gail was recognised for inspiring an appreciation of Aboriginal culture through her art teachings at local schools and also providing students with opportunities to build their visual and performing art skills through Outback Arts workshops.

 2008/09: For the 2008/09 ‘Celebrating Australian Flavour’ theme, Sensis selected Ken Borchardt for the cover as a result of his work with Macquarie Valley Food & Wine Inc., helping to promote Dubbo’s food and wine industry.

 2007/08: In 2007/08, under the ‘Champions of our Community’ theme, Robert Edwards from Tullamore graced the cover for his role with Tullamore Inc., playing an integral role in establishing a number of vital community social services including the Rural Transaction Centre and the Tullamore Irish Festival.