White Pages Covers Program

Green building guru George Single graces Pakenham/Cranbourne White Pages® cover

November 24, 2011

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Pakenham resident George Single has been selected to appear on the cover of this year’s Pakenham/Cranbourne Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® book which was distributed throughout Cranbourne and Pakenham, Mornington Peninsula, the Yarra Valley and surrounding towns in May 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.

George’s selection recognises his commitment to educating the local community about the importance of sustainable living and building.

A former chemist and fire fighter chief, George changed his career to commit his time to sustainable living. Utilising his building skills, George and his partner Helen updated their home to make it highly sustainable and meet the Australian Government’s six-star thermal rating requirements.

After seeing the difference installation of energy saving features made in his home, George started consulting to homeowners and building homes to meet the six-star thermal rating. In 2010, George and Helen invited locals to visit their family home so they could see achievable and sustainable changes in practice.

In 2005, George’s dedication to sustainable building was recognised by Telstra Country Wide’s Property and Business Services Award in the Cardinia Shire Council area.

“I feel it is important for people to know how they can live sustainability. Without this knowledge, people cannot change their lifestyles. I’m honoured to be recognised as an Australian creating a better future,” said George.

George’s efforts don’t end at building sustainable Australian homes. Following the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami in Indonesia, George and a team of volunteers built and auctioned a local house to raise $200,000, with all proceeds donated to World Vision to support the tsunami victims. At a local level, George and his same team, became members of the Casey Cardinia Relay for Life team and have been raising funds for cancer research annually since 2005.

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

2010/11: The 2010/11 Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® featured Rosebud residents Benito Panettieri and Nazzareno Mazzocchi on the cover under the theme Courageous Australians. Benito and Nazzareno bravely pulled a fisherman from the freezing Sorrento waters after his boat had flipped.

2009/10: Hastings resident, Tammie Johnstone, graced the 2009/10 Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® cover under the theme Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities. Tammie is the president of the Western Port Festival, recognised for running one of the largest community events on the Mornington Peninsula. 

2008/09: Tony and Cristina Carraturo from Nar Nar Goon North featured on the 2008/09 Celebrating Australian Flavour theme directory cover. Tony and Cristina were recognised for creating the ‘paddock to plate’ cattle program.