White Pages Covers Program

Courageous Australian Ros Worthington recognised 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, Kewdale resident, Ros Worthington has been selected to appear on the cover of this year’s Perth Business/Government directory.

Ros has battled and overcome a number of serious adversities since childhood. Her personal experiences gave her a determination that has led her to establish a number of charities to help others during their times of need. 

In 1986, Ros established the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Western Australia, where she spent a decade helping grant hundreds of wishes to terminally-ill children and set up numerous branches at home and abroad.

Ros’ own battle with chronic breast disease, which saw her have a mastectomy at 35, led her to start a specialist mastectomy clinic in Perth. She then went on to set up the Breast Cancer Foundation of WA in 2000.  The foundation aims to offer practical, financial and emotional support to breast cancer sufferers and their families, and is now one of the State’s major charities .

After all this, Ros’ work wasn’t yet finished. With a determination to make a difference to underprivileged children, she went on to start the Love Angel Foundation, which helps kids to help other kids in need. Through fundraising activities for children in third world countries, the young volunteers in the Love Angel Foundation learn lifelong values of compassion, humanity and kindness.

Currently, Ros is embarking on her most challenging, and potentially most rewarding cause yet. She is spearheading the breakthrough HelpME campaign for Lifeline WA. After losing her partner to suicide, Ros knows only too well how important it is to break down stigma surrounding mental illness. HelpME aims to inform people about the issues surrounding depression and suicide, including where they can go for support. 

“I am honoured to be selected to feature on this year’s White Pages cover. From my point of view, I’ve always just wanted to make sure we live in a community where people have access to adequate support. My personal experiences are the driving force behind the many initiatives that are close to my heart, most notably with the HelpME campaign which aims to inspire people to seek help, so to be recognised for it is really humbling,” said Ros.

For her pioneering and selfless deeds, Ros has received many coveted accolades including an Order of Australia Medal, Ernst & Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year and twice being a finalist for WA Australian of the Year.

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 Business/Government  White Pages® cover were:

2009/10: David Doyle, Fremantle resident and executive director of the not-for-profit organisation, Disability in the Arts, Disadvantaged in the Arts Australia (DADAA), appeared on the 2009/10 Perth White Pages® Business/Government directory. With David at the helm, DADAA has promoted arts and culture inclusion for people with disabilities and mental illnesses in Western Australia for over 14 years.

2008/09: Perth chef and restaurateur, Russell Blaikie, featured on the Perth White Pages® Business/Government cover in recognition of his mentoring role to countless apprentice chefs and for his work championing local produce.

2007/08: Perth’s Darren Lomman was selected for his contribution in establishing the not-for-profit organisation, ‘Dreamfit’, which helps people with disabilities achieve their dreams.