White Pages Covers Program

White Pages® celebrates companionship with Tracey Geaghan and Peter Grant

June 23, 2011

Image: 

Mackay residents Tracey Geaghan and Peter Grant have been selected to appear on the cover of this year’s Mackay Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® book which will be distributed throughout the Mackay and Whitsundays districts from 18 June 2011.

Each year, 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.

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.

Tracey Geaghan and Peter Grant’s selection recognises their dedication to supporting the community’s elderly and residents with disabilities through the Mackay Community Visitors Association (MCVA).

As coordinator and president of the MCVA, Tracey and Peter train and organise 137 volunteers to provide essential support and friendship to vulnerable members of the community who do not have close family and friends or are isolated due to mobility problems or cultural barriers.

They encourage volunteers to support members by taking them on outings, keeping them company at home, or simply calling up for a chat.

The service provides essential social opportunities that contribute to a better quality of life for isolated residents, while also giving volunteers a strong feeling of contributing positively to another person’s life.

“It is immensely satisfying to see the smiles on member’s faces when they return from an outing with their volunteer. Although the number of people seeking support from the MCVA has tripled, those smiles make all the hard work and unpaid hours worth the effort,” said Tracey.

“It is very humbling to be recognised for providing what really is such an essential service to the community,” said Peter.

The MCVA is celebrating its 21^st anniversary this year.

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

2010/11: The 2010/11 Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® featured Brett Norris and Phillip Dowler  on the cover under the theme Courageous Australians. The pair rescued 37 passengers and the crew of a yacht that washed onto rocks at Caves Cove on Hook Island in the Whitsundays.

2009/10: Steve Mayer-Miller from Mackay appeared on the 2009/10 Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^®cover under the theme Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities. The director, writer and chief executive of Crossroad Arts, Steve facilitates the creative development of new theatre and film works by a number of artists and community groups throughout Queensland.

2008/09: Mackay’s Sonya Parris graced the Celebrating Australian Flavour theme cover, acknowledged for playing a pivotal role in helping to establish the local food scene by founding Grinders Corporate Catering.