White Pages Covers Program

Tom E Lewis recognised as the NT's Creative Australian

May 14, 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 Katherine resident Tom E. Lewis, have made to their communities through the arts by featuring them on the cover of the 2009/10 Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® directories. 

 Tom was thrilled to learn he would appear on the cover of the Northern Territory 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.

 Tom is the creative force behind the indigenous arts organisation, Djilpin Arts Aboriginal Corporation, a not-for-profit arts organisation based in the Beswick Community, east of Katherine. Under Tom’s artistic direction, Djilpin Arts hosts a number of cultural festivals and musical performances throughout the year.

 In 2001, Tom established the Walking with Spirits community cultural event. Each year performances of traditional Aboriginal songs and stories told through dance, music, puppetry, fire and film are presented at the naturally occurring amphitheatre of Beswick Falls.

 “Walking with Spirits has become a major annual event on the Northern Territory arts and cultural calendar. It is a great opportunity to showcase the talent within our indigenous community with a blend of traditional and contemporary performance styles. I’ve performed all over the world, but nothing quite compares to this,” Tom said.

 Tom gained international recognition when he toured Europe, Asia and Australia playing the didgeridu for Lewis & Young and a number of classical composers. He has also appeared in a number of roles for film, television and theatre.

 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 Tom 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.”

 “Tom 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. 

 Tom replaces Raylene Brown on the cover of the Northern Territory 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 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.