White Pages Covers Program

White Pages® celebrates Taree locals Bill Nelson and Greg Crisp

October 20, 2011

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Taree residents, Bill Nelson and Greg Crisp have been selected to appear on the cover of this year’s Taree Yellow Pages® and White Pages® book which was distributed through Taree and surrounding towns in February this year.

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.

Bill and Greg’s selection recognises their contribution towards maintaining the health of the Manning River that is so crucial to the local community and economy.

Having both lived on the Manning River for most of their lives, they noticed the river’s condition deteriorate after the closure of the Farquhar Inlet. This spurred Bill and Greg into action to organise the reopening of the entrance.

Working with the local council and the Department of Lands, Bill and Greg were able to have the Inlet re-opened in April, 2008. The results were immediately noticed with the marine life returning to the waters again, which reinvigorated the tourism, fishing and oyster farming industries in the area.

To ensure the future health of the river, Bill and Greg have assisted in the preparation and adoption of an Entrance Opening Management Plan and Dredging Strategy Management Plan to ensure the river is kept in a pristine condition.

“We’re so pleased to see the river slowly returning to the health we remember from our childhoods, and watching recreational and commercial activities all benefit from an opened inlet.” said Bill.

With strong community support the pair raised over $120,000 which helped them to purchase a dredge for the Manning River. This will ensure the viability of the Manning River for future generations and help sustain the local fishing and tourism industries.

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

2010/11: Wingham resident Donna Carson featured on the cover under the theme Courageous Australians. Donna was recognised for becoming an advocate of domestic violence and burns victims after a personal experience with abuse.

2009/10: Port Macquarie resident Maureen Cooke featured on the cover under the theme Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities. For more than 40 years, Maureen has encouraged the community to embrace the arts by coordinating the weekly Arts Society Markets on the grounds of Manor House.

2008/09: Trevor Sargent appeared on the cover under the theme Celebrating Australian Flavour. He was recognised for playing a significant role in growing the food and beverage industry in Port Macquarie, by helping to establish the Hastings Farmers’ Market.