White Pages Covers Program

Creative Australian Beryl Wood inspires the Gladstone community

May 21, 2009

Creativity comes in a surprising range of shapes and sizes in Australia and is often the inspiration behind people becoming involved in their local community. This year, Sensis is celebrating the contribution creative Australians, such as Gladstone resident Beryl Wood, have made to their communities through the arts by featuring them on the cover of the 2009/10 Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® directories. 

 Beryl was thrilled to learn she would appear on the cover of the Rockhampton and surrounds directory after being nominated by members of the local community to represent the entire region as the epitome of this year’s theme – Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities.

 Gladstone residents may recognise Beryl from the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum where she has been volunteering for over 15 years. Beryl runs workshops with school children at the Gallery, providing them with opportunities to learn about art and encouraging them to exhibit their works.

 Beryl also keeps busy with the Bunbury Players community theatre group where she directs and designs costumes and sets for many stage productions. Since Beryl founded the group in 2000, the Bunbury Players have toured over 12 productions throughout the region.

 “It’s great to see so many young people within the community so enthusiastic about the arts. The Bunbury Players has provided a creative outlet for people of all ages and it has also been a great support for other arts initiatives in the region. Not only do we make costumes for the Bunbury Players, but for many other community groups and charitable causes too,” Beryl said.

 Beryl has worked with the Gladstone City Council on a number of arts programs and festivals that encourage young people throughout the region to get involved in the arts and adopt a green attitude towards their communities. Beryl has also received several awards for her own art work including the RTA Martin Hanson Memorial Art Award and the 2006 Australia Day Cultural Award.

 Group Manager, White Pages^®, Jane Blackley, said the theme Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities provided Sensis with a great opportunity to recognise Australians who are helping to build stronger community relationships through their advocacy of the arts.

 “Right across the country, there are people like Beryl making amazing contributions to their communities through the arts so this year we thought we would put the spotlight on them by featuring them on the cover of the Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® directories.”

 “Whether it’s performing, teaching, hosting exhibitions, raising money or administering arts programs, this year’s cover subjects are all dedicated to establishing ways for local people to become involved in the arts and to share and develop their creativity.”

 “Beryl is a fine example of a creative Australian who, through a love of the arts, is helping to inspire others and foster art and culture in the local community,” Ms Blackley said. 

 Beryl replaces Graeme Acton on the cover of the Rockhampton and surrounds directory, who featured last year as part of the ‘Celebrating Australian Flavour’ theme.

 With the 2009/10 Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® directory commencing distribution on Saturday 23 May 2009, Ms Blackley encouraged residents and businesses to recycle their old directories.

 “In most areas, Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® directories can be recycled as part of normal kerbside recycling services, but if people are unsure they can log onto www.recyclingnearyou.com.au to find out about recycling services available in their local area,” she said.