White Pages Covers Program

Courageous Australians John Doyle and Neale Dunphy on Rockhampton'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, Rockhampton and Gogango residents, John Doyle and Neale Dunphy have been selected to appear on the cover of this year’s Rockhampton directory which is distributed to the Rockhampton, Emerald, Gladstone and Longreach districts and surrounding areas.

John Doyle and his son Harold were driving through the town of Gogango in February 2009 when a flash flood occurred, prompting them to pull over to the side of the road to wait for it to subside. It was when they were waiting that they heard screams nearby and upon closer inspection saw a young family clinging to tree branches in the water of a nearby creek.

Without any regard for their own safety, John and Harold quickly jumped into the fast-flowing creek to the aid of the family of four. They approached the woman who was carrying the family’s youngest child and rescued the baby to safety.

John and Harold were soon joined by Neale Dunphy who joined arms with John to reach the woman who was struggling to stay afloat and managed to drag her to the bank of the creek. Tragically, she died at the scene.

The father and the other child were rescued by Harold and other rescuers.

It was the quick thinking and courage undertaken by the three men that saved the family. Without them, they would have most certainly drowned.

“It was a pretty hectic time, the flood was raging and didn’t stop for ages. You can easily be caught out if you don’t know the area. I was glad to see Neale when we were trying to help the family because we almost got swept away ourselves so the extra pair of hands saved our lives too,” said John.

John, Harold and Neale were awarded a Commendation for Brave Conduct for their efforts.

Distribution of Rockhampton 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 Rockhampton Yellow Pages® and White Pages® cover were: 

2009/10: Gladstone resident Beryl Wood appeared on the 2009/10 Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® cover under the theme ‘Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities’. Beryl was selected for her contribution to the performing and creative arts at the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum and as the founder, director, costume and set designer for the Bunbury Players community theatre group. 

2008/09: Graeme Acton from Rockhampton was the 2008/09 ‘Celebrating Australian Flavour’ cover hero, chosen for his significant involvement in the beef industry including the Acton Land and Cattle Company.  

2007/08: Gladstone resident Cyril Golding embodied the 2007/08 Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® ‘Champions of our Community’ cover theme, volunteering for many local community organisations and charitable causes for over 60 years.