White Pages Covers Program

White Pages® celebrates green bloggers Alison Mellor and Richard Walter

December 15, 2011

Image: 

Wollongong residents, Alison Mellor and Richard Walter have been selected to appear on the cover of this year’s Wollongong Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® book which was distributed throughout Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Thirroul, Stanwell Park and surrounding towns in April 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.

Alison and Richard’s selection recognises their commitment to educating locals about the benefits of sustainability.

Their passion for this project has seen them dedicate countless hours of their time to improving the local community and its surrounds using a selection of innovative communication tools.

Four years ago, Alison and Richard established www.happyearth.com.au, a blog dedicated to sharing how-to guides, advice on environmentally friendly practices and many other handy tips for residents. The site also provides advice on how homes can consume less energy and water.

Alison and Richard also demonstrate how to implement green changes into everyday suburban life, and run garden tours to inspire locals to grow organic food in their own backyard.

Professionally, Alison works full time in the environment team at a local council. She has coordinated many workshops and events, encouraging families to grow their own food, create habitat for local wildlife and implement small lifestyle changes that can make big environmental differences.

Richard works as a bush regenerator where he enhances natural areas and improving local biodiversity. He has also helped residents make their homes energy efficient.  

“We are humbled to be recognised on the cover. There’s such a growing interest in sustainable living – whether it be joining a community garden, installing solar panels or simply learning to compost food scraps. We hope our website helps people on their own adventure in urban sustainability, whatever that may be,” said Alison.

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

2010/11: Founder of Amputees Family and Friends, Len Snowdon was featured on the Wollongong directory cover under the theme courageous Australians. Len lost his right arm and leg in a workplace accident in 1992, but describes the time since as a wonderful journey. No challenge has been too daunting for Len, who within six months of his accident, was courageously back riding his surfboard and helping fellow amputees.

2009/10: Gordon Streek from Jamberoo appeared on the cover under the theme ‘Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities’. Gordon was honoured for his influence on the performing arts in Illawarra, offering community theatre opportunities to those in the area through the Roo Theatre Company. 

2008/09: Jamberoo resident Lynne Strong was the ‘Celebrating Australian Flavour’ cover hero on the Yellow Pages® and White Pages® cover, recognised for her contribution to the dairy industry. Lynne runs the Clover Hill Dairies in Jamberoo.