White Pages Covers Program

Creative Australian, Wagga Wagga White Pages, Jennifer Roberts

November 30, 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 Cootamundra resident Jennifer Roberts, have made to their communities through the arts by featuring them on the cover of the 2009/10 Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® directories.

 Jennifer was thrilled to learn she would appear on the cover of the Riverina 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.

 For close to 50 years, Jennifer has been a driving force behind the arts community in Cootamundra. With a penchant for the performing arts, Jennifer joined the Cootamundra Amateur Dramatic Arts Society (CADAS) in 1960 and in 1975 she founded CADAS Inc Kids.

 As the Director of CADAS Inc Kids, Jennifer works regularly with teenagers in the region, inspiring them to participate in community projects, regional tours and theatre productions. Jennifer coordinated the CADAS Inc Kids throughout the construction of the Milestone Project’s Wheat Sculpture feature, which has become an iconic landmark and a tourism drawcard for the Cootamundra and Wallendbeen communities.

 “Together with the CADAS Inc Kids, we have taken part in a number of community projects throughout the region. It is great to see the younger generations really taking an interest in their community and participating in the arts,” Jennifer said.

 Jennifer has also been recognised with a Premiers Award for Volunteers in 2000 and a Centenary Federation Medal in 2001 for her work within the community.

 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 Jennifer 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.”

 “Jennifer 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. 

 Jennifer replaces Neil Druce on the cover of the Riverina directory, who featured last year as part of the ‘Celebrating Australian Flavour’ theme.

 With the 200/10 Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® directory commencing distribution on Saturday 16 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.