White Pages Covers Program

Local environmentalist Lizzie Corke announced as Geelong White Pages® cover star

September 8, 2011

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Apollo Bay resident Lizzie Corke has been selected to appear on the cover of this year’s Geelong Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® book which will be distributed throughout Geelong, Bellarine Penninsula, Surf Coast, Colac, Lara and surrounding towns from 18 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.

Lizzie Corke’s selection recognises her passion for the environment in the establishment of the Cape Otway Centre for Conservation Ecology.

In 2001, Lizzie’s devotion to wildlife conservation saw her establish the Cape Otway Centre for Conservation Ecology with her husband Shayne Neal. The independent not-for-profit centre was founded to conduct vital conservation research, rehabilitate injured and orphaned wildlife, and engage the wider community in conserving wildlife and the ecosystems which support them.  

Conservation research that involves community participation has become a key activity of the centre.

“Our conservation team comprises a wonderfully diverse and dedicated group of local residents and participants from further afield including both researchers and people with a general love for the environment, who conduct important research under the guidance of our Conservation and Research Manager,” said Lizzie.

The Centre’s research team is leading two key projects. The Tiger Quoll Flagship Program is working to ensure the future of the endangered and elusive Tiger Quoll. This is the 75^th anniversary of the Tasmanian Tiger so it is fitting that this year marks a community effort to prevent the same fate befalling the Tiger we still have.

The Koala Conservation Program investigates the conservation challenges faced by koalas in Victoria. The team at Cape Otway are studying habitat use, health, behaviour, and genetics of the Otway’s koalas, as well as investigating innovative habitat management techniques.

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

2010/11: East Geelong resident John Olsen was featured on the cover under the theme Courageous Australians. John has bravely walked over 12,000km in a bid to raise money for local charities.

2009/10: Herne Hill resident, Belinda McArdle, featured on the cover under the theme Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities. Belinda is a facilitator of various community singing groups including the massed choir of 70 singers who perform at the annual Pako Festa. 

2008/09: George Biron and Diane Garrett graced the Celebrating Australian Flavour theme cover for their highly acclaimed Sunnybrae restaurant and cooking school in Birregurra.