White Pages Covers Program

Melbourne’s White Pages® celebrate cover boys, Arron Wood and Frank Ryan’s commitment to environmental education

May 26, 2011

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Melburnians creating a better future, Arron Wood and Frank Ryan, have been selected to appear on the covers of this year’s Melbourne White Pages® books.

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

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.

Arron Wood’s selection for the cover of the White Pages® Business and Government book recognises his commitment to improving local river health and educating future generations on the importance of sustainability.

Growing up near the banks of the Murray River, Arron was aware at a young age of the devastating effects of pollution, and jumped at the first chance to do something about it. In 1999, he created the International River Health Program, designed for students to research environmental issues with industry mentors and present back at a conference of peers and teachers.

Inspired by the success of the International River Health Program, Arron established Kids Teaching Kids in 2000, a school based learning model and program of events, inspiring young people to learn and care for the environment. Since its inception, over 30,000 students nationally and internationally have participated in this globally recognised program.

Arron has been the recipient of countless accolades, most notably the Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year Award in 2007.

Frank Ryan graces the cover of the White Pages® Residential book is in honour of his commitment to educating the community on the benefits of sustainable living.

Using theatre as a tool to facilitate this, Frank started Vox Bandicoot in 1988 to expand the message of ecological sustainability through a mix of education, the arts, science and common sense. In 2003, the company expanded to establish what Frank describes as his most rewarding work, the Sustainability Street Approach.

Sustainability Street provides a template for change that residents can use to gather, learn and share sustainable living ideas. Since it began, Frank has guided over 200 local communities around Australia through the program, fostering neighbourliness and lifestyle change. The resulting friendships and ideas have led to reductions in water use, wastage and energy levels.

“Vox Bandicoot was established as a creative way for community members to learn and discover the rewards of sustainable living, and connect to share their stories. Thanks to the wonderful support of the locals, we’re starting to see a significant reduction in environmental impact,” said Frank.

Through his passion and enthusiasm, Frank has transformed the way communities react and behave towards environmental change. 

Through their passion for the educational programs, Kids Teaching Kids and Sustainability Street, Arron and Frank‘s ongoing commitment will see these programs continue to provide a positive future for all Australians.

2010/11 – Representatives from Victoria’s emergency services departments are featured on the Melbourne Residential cover under the theme Courageous Australians. These Black Saturday field workers were recognised for their heroic efforts to save the lives and homes of many during one of the worst bushfires in the State.

2010/11: Charity worker Les Twentyman appears on the Business and Government directory under the theme Courageous Australians. Les has courageously put his life on the line in many situations to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Melbourne’s youth over the past 25 years.