White Pages Covers Program

Courageous Australians Kevin and Rhonda Butler featured on this year's Wangaratta Yellow Pages® and White Pages®

February 11, 2010

Image: 

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, Kilmore East residents, Kevin and Rhonda Butler have been selected, to appear on the cover of this year’s Wangaratta directory which is distributed to Alexandra, Benalla, Myrtleford, Seymour and Wangaratta.

During the devastating Black Saturday bushfires in 2009, Kevin and Rhonda lost 3km of the boundary fence to their farm, which is crucial in containing their 1500-strong flock of sheep. Kevin put out a call for help to re-build their fence immediately following the bushfires and the overwhelming response led himself and Rhonda to establish Blaze Aid, a not-for-profit organisation to assist all victims who require fencing on their properties.

“Re-building fences has given rural people a sense of ownership and confidence in the reconstruction of their community, even if their houses don’t remain,” said Kevin.

Kevin and Rhonda have been working tirelessly on managing Blaze Aid which has attracted more 3000 volunteers from around the world. Kevin and his volunteers have rebuilt more than 450km of fencing over 400 properties in the Black Saturday affected areas, estimated to be valued at $7M.

Kevin and Rhonda have also provided volunteers their property as a place to exchange stories, create a support network for those affected by the bushfires and Rhonda has coordinated over 35,000 meals for the volunteers.

The leadership, courage and self-sacrifice Kevin and Rhonda have shown in setting up and coordinating Blaze Aid has earned them a Rotary International Award and Victorian Local Hero Award.

Distribution of Wangaratta Yellow Pages® and White Pages® is planned to start on 13 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 Wangaratta Yellow Pages® and White Pages® cover were:

2009/10: Seymour Forge resident and local blacksmith, Steve Wolfe appeared on the current Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® cover under the theme ‘Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities’. Steve mentors the students of Seymour Technical High School, St Mary’s College Seymour, Seymour Special School and clients from Seymour Mental Illness Fellowship to create public artworks.

2008/09: Olive producer Maureen Titcumb graced the cover of the ‘Celebrating Australian Flavour’ theme directory for her work as president of the Milawa Gourmet Region Association.

2007/08: Lorraine Monshing OAM and president of The Wangaratta Players was recognised on the ‘Champions of our Community’ cover for her contribution to the theatre group since 1984.