White Pages Covers Program

Erin and Thys Gorter’s sustainable farm plants them on the cover of the White Pages®

May 12, 2011

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Kojonup residents Erin and Thys Gorter have been selected to appear on the cover of this year’s South Western Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® book which will be distributed throughout South Western and surrounding towns from 14 May 2011.

Sensis, the publisher of the Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^®, recognises the contribution of local residents in the community by featuring them on the cover of its books each year.

The theme for this year’s covers, Australians Creating a Better Future, recognises people throughout Australia who have made a positive contribution to their community through projects or initiatives that help to make a better future for Australia. These projects have contributed environmentally, economically and/or socially to the local community and will benefit the next generation of Australians.

Erin and Thys’ selection recognises their commitment to promoting the financial and environmental benefits of the investment of perennial plants and sustainable farming.

After discovering that perennial plants can reduce environmental challenges and increase profitability, the Gorters were one of the region’s early adopters in planting perennials on their farm and capitalising on rainfall whenever and wherever it falls.

Erin’s passion for sustainability has led to previous roles, including her four year position as President of Evergreen Farming, a state-wide group promoting perennial pastures as part of farming systems. Erin spends weeks away from home attending seminars and visiting other properties to learn about the latest trends in sustainable farming.

While Erin is spreading the word on sustainable farming, Thys is found on their property in Kojonup, implementing the highest sustainable farming practices.

“After noticing a significant difference perennial plants and sustainable farming has had on our property, I feel it is my obligation to share this knowledge with other landholders to improve the longevity of their property,” said Erin.

With Erin’s industry knowledge and Thys’ hands-on approach to sustainability, the husband and wife team’s commitment to ensuring a healthy farming future in Western Australia sees them successfully inspiring other landholders to do the same.

Did you know? The last three local people to appear on the South Western Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® cover were:

2010/11: Albany resident, Joanne Lucas appeared on the Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® directory under the theme Courageous Australians. In an extraordinary feat of courage, Joanne selflessly risked her own life when she rescued a man from a shark attack off Middleton Beach in Albany.

2009/10: Diana Oliver, Waikiki resident and coordinator of Stretch Festival Moving Arts Parade, graced the 2009/10 Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® cover under the theme Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities. For more than six years, Diana has assisted people with disabilities to become actively involved in the Stretch Festival by providing creative workshops, costume making, drama, banner making and percussion. 

2008/09: Michael and Mary Nenke, from Kukerin, appeared on the Celebrating Australian Flavour theme directory cover in recognition of their business Cambinata Yabbies, which supports the local yabby farming industry.