Under the theme Courageous Australians, this year directories producer, Sensis, is recognising courageous people who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to overcome adversity and help others in their time of need.

After receiving nominations from community members for the annual honour, Eugowra resident, Jack Barnes has been selected, to appear on the cover of this year’s Dubbo directory which is distributed to Cobar, Condobolin, Dubbo, Forbes, Parkes and Wellington.

In 27 years of service as a Eugowra Ambulance Volunteer, Jack has regularly been the first on the scene at many serious road accidents, flood zones and bushfires to tend to casualties.

As many people were evacuating their properties during the bushfires that raged throughout the Cabonne region in 2001, Jack rushed to the aid of many in peril.

Jack joined the ambulance service because his community was in dire need of medical and paramedical professionals.

Too many lives were lost waiting for a response from units elsewhere in the region.

Jack has been instrumental in saving the lives of many during the 1990 floods and the 2001 bushfires.

He also spends much of his time teaching basic first aid at local primary schools, equipping children with the knowledge to save lives too.

Locals named him the Eugowra Citizen of the Year in 2009.

“I am like the many ambulance officers who attend countless emergencies and without a second thought put their lives at risk,” he said.

“It is also important to educate the community on safety practices, which is why I also help out by conducting mental health awareness talks with local groups.

“It’s all part of the job but it is nice to be recognised by Sensis,” Jack said.

Distribution of Dubbo Yellow Pages® and White Pages® is planned to start today and it will take approximately six weeks for the directories to be delivered to all households.