White Pages Covers Program

Courageous Australian Robert Hilliar on Nowra's Yellow Pages® and White Pages®

June 3, 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, Berry resident, Robert Hilliar has been selected to appear on the cover of this year’s Nowra directory which is distributed to Batemans Bay, Moruya, Narooma, Nowra, Ulladulla and surrounding areas.

Robert Hilliar has worked as a Bomaderry Paramedic for 17 years and volunteered with the Berry and Beaumont Fire Brigade for 10 years. In both his roles, he has attended to a number of life threatening situations.

In 2001, he was called out to an incident near the Shoalhaven Bridge where a woman who appeared to be under the influence of drugs and alcohol was acting irrationally and was refusing treatment.

She fled the scene soon after Robert arrived. Concerned for her safety, Robert followed her and watched as she climbed over the bridge railing and jumped into the water. Without a second thought for his own safety, Robert courageously jumped in the water after her, knowing she would be in grave danger in her condition.

Robert kept her afloat in the water until two fishermen came to his aid and pulled them both into their boat taking them both to the banks of the river. The woman sustained multiple injuries from the fall and was treated in hospital before she was later released.

“When I saw her jump into the river I had to go in after her knowing the state she was in. After being with the Ambulance for 17 years I’ve learnt to react rationally and quickly, which proved to be lucky in this instance,” said Robert.

Robert’s brave efforts saw him awarded the Royal Life Saving Bronze Medal for Courage. 

Distribution of Nowra Yellow Pages® and White Pages® is planned to start on 5 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 Nowra Yellow Pages® and White Pages® cover were: 

2009/10: Mollymook resident, Tina Broad, appeared on the 2009/10 Yellow Pages® and White Pages® cover under the theme ‘Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities’. Tina was recognised for her contribution to the arts as the founder of community choir, The Glorious MUDSingers.  

2008/09: Greg Bishop was the cover hero for the ‘Celebrating Australian Flavour’ cover theme, selected for his contribution in building the Shoalhaven Coast’s reputation as one of Australia’s premier wine regions. 

2007/08: For the ‘Champions of our Community’ theme, Stephanie Gould from Nowra featured on the directory for her volunteer work with the David Berry Hospital and Berry Country Women’s Association