White Pages Covers Program

Courageous Australian Sophie Delezio on Sydney's Residential White Pages ®

July 22, 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, North Sydney resident, Sophie Delezio has been selected to appear on the cover of this year’s Sydney Residential directory which is distributed to the Sydney metropolitan areas.

At just nine years old, Sophie has shown courage well beyond her years having not only overcome two horrific accidents, but by also supporting other seriously injured children around Australia.

Sophie’s first accident took place when she was just a toddler. A car crashed through her child care centre and trapped her underneath it. The car burst into flames and caused burns to 85 per cent of Sophie’s body.

While still recovering from her injuries in 2006, Sophie was badly injured again in another accident. As she was being pushed in her wheelchair across a pedestrian crossing Sophie was hit by a car and thrown a staggering 18 metres. She spent two months in hospital undergoing treatment and surgeries for her injuries. Throughout the ordeal Sophie has always maintained a positive outlook, which makes her a remarkably brave individual.

Since her accidents, Sophie and her family have established national children’s charity, the Day of Difference Foundation, which aims to support other children suffering critical injuries.

As the charity’s ambassador, Sophie has helped the Foundation raise over $8 million to provide much needed hospital equipment and facilities, fund research into burns and skin technology and support critically injured children and their families on their journey from emergency to recovery. The charity also advocates for the safety of children to help prevent injuries, and through community education programs promotes the acceptance of all children who are different.

“I’m amazed at the enormous amount of courage and bravery Sophie shows every day. She has maintained a very positive outlook through every stage and she’s an inspiration to us and the other children she reaches out to every day. We are so proud to see her courage recognised on this year’s White Pages cover,” said Sophie’s father, Ron Delezio.

Distribution of Sydney White Pages® is planned to start on 24 July 2010 and it will take approximately nine weeks for the directories to be delivered to all households. This year, White Pages® will be trialing a smaller version of the Book to selected areas. The compact White Pages® Books contain all the same information in a smaller and easier to use size.

Yellow Pages® and White Pages® print and online directories are now carbon neutral under the Federal 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.

Did you know? The last three local people to appear on the Sydney Residential White Pages® cover were: 

2009/10: Milk Crate Theatre director, Beck Ronkson, featured on the White Pages^® Residential directory cover under the theme ‘‘Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities’. Beck was recognised for wither work with marginalised community groups, using performing arts as a way of exploring the issues they face. 

2008/09: Food legend, Beppi Polese, appeared on the White Pages^® Residential cover under the theme ‘Celebrating Australian Flavour’,  for his influence in introducing Italian cuisine to Sydney in the 1950s. 

2007/08: Performers Jean-Paul Bell and Dr Peter Spitzer from Clown Doctors graced the White Pages^® Residential cover under the theme ‘Champions of our Community’, in recognition of their efforts in entertaining sick children in hospitals around Australia.