Creative Australian Gail Naden recognised for inspiring the Dubbo 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 Gilgandra resident Gail Naden, have made to their communities through the arts by featuring them on the cover of the 2009/10 Yellow Pages® and White Pages® directories. 

Gail was thrilled to learn she would appear on the cover of the Dubbo 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.

Gail assists with classroom activities with students at a number of schools throughout the region, including Gilgandra Public and Gilgandra High Schools, where she inspires an appreciation for Aboriginal culture through teaching the arts and sharing traditional Australian stories.

Currently, Gail is working with students at the Gilgandra High School on the creation of a mural on school grounds. Gail also contributes her time to community art projects through Outback Arts, facilitating workshops in a range of disciplines including visual and performing arts.

"Working with children is very rewarding. I think it's terrific to be able to share some traditional Australian culture with younger generations through art as it's a great and fun way to help convey these messages," Gail said.

Gail's own artistic pursuits have received wide acclaim. Her paintings appear in galleries throughout the region, with many of her pieces having been commissioned, including the piece in the newly built Warrumbungle National Park Visitor Information Centre.  Gail is also currently working with the Dubbo Western Plains Cultural Centre on a group exhibition to be held mid-2009.

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 Gail 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."

"Gail 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. 

Gail replaces Ken Borchardt on the cover of the Dubbo 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 31 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-

Media enquiries:

Michael Bernard 
The PR Edge 
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M: 0421 988 797
E:  michael.bernard@che.com.au
                                                                
Stephen Ronchi
Sensis
P:  03 8653 7828
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; sensis.com.au - the search engine for Australians; Sensis 1234, the operator-assisted, premium voice information service; and The Trading Post Group's stable of weekly and monthly publications and Universal Publisher's mapping publications; and the accommodation website gostay.com.au. Sensis owns a majority shareholding in SouFun.com, China's leading real estate and home furnishings website. Sensis also recently acquired majority shares in China's leading auto sites Autohome.com and Che168.com, and leading digital devices websites IT168.com and PCPop.com.cn.