Creative australian Maureen Cooke recognised for inspiring the Port Macquarie community

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 Port Macquarie resident Maureen Cooke, have made to their communities through the arts by featuring them on the cover of the 2009/10 Yellow Pages® and White Pages® directories. 

Maureen was thrilled to learn she would appear on the cover of the Port Macquarie 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.

As the Honorary Secretary of the Port Macquarie Arts Society Inc, Maureen coordinates the weekly Art Society Market at the historic Manor House, helping to promote the arts and raise funds for the Society. The event attracts people from all over the region every Sunday, who come and explore the markets for local art and craft offerings.

Money raised from the market goes towards the maintenance and restoration of the heritage listed Manor House, a Port Macquarie icon that was damaged by white ants in recent years. The historic Manor House is the home of the Port Macquarie Art Society, which includes a public gallery and rooms for art workshops and community activities. Maureen regularly organises art classes at the Manor House for local residents living with dementia.

"I've been a member of the Port Macquarie Art Society for nearly 40 years which has provided me with so many opportunities to work with much of the community on countless art projects. The art classes we run with those living with dementia are particularly rewarding for everyone involved," Maureen said.

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 Maureen 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 YellowTM 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."

"Maureen 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. 

Maureen replaces Trevor Sargeant on the cover of the Port Macquarie directory, who was 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 17 January, 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.

-Ends-

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Michael Bernard        
The PR Edge        
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Stephen Ronchi
Sensis
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M: 0417 138 649
E:  stephen.ronchi@sensis.com.au

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About Sensis:

Sensis is Australia's leading information resource. We make complex lives simpler by helping Australians find, buy and sell. Sensis delivers innovative and integrated search solutions via print, online, voice and wireless channels to connect Australians 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our powerful, multi-channel portfolio provides an unparalleled local information source incorporating: the White Pages® and YellowTM directories; the Citysearch® entertainment site; the Whereis® location and navigation database; the search engine sensis.com.au; the 1234, operator-assisted voice information service; the Trading Post® Group's stable of weekly and monthly publications; Universal Publisher's mapping publications; and the accommodation website gostay.com.au. Sensis also owns a majority shareholding in SouFun.com, China's leading real estate and home furnishings website as well as majority shares in China's leading automotive sites Autohome.com and Che168.com, and leading digital devices websites IT168.com and PCPop.com.cn.