MURWILLUMBAH SES unit controller Chris Chrisostomos is the new face of the Northern Rivers.

This year's Lismore White Pages and Yellow Pages book will have his familiar face on the front cover.

The cover theme, A Helping Hand, The Aussie Way, makes Mr Chrisostomos the perfect fit acknowledging his volunteer work with the Murwillumbah Army Cadets, Banana Festival and SES.

"I love my community and have always found great satisfaction in giving back to it," Mr Chrisostomos said.

"I don't do it for praise or accolades, so this recognition by Sensis is very humbling.

Each year Sensis, the publisher, recognises the efforts of local people in their communities.

They chose Mr Chrisostomos for his lifetime of generosity to others.

Born in Cyprus, Mr Chrisostomos moved to the Tweed at the age of three and started volunteering in his teens as a surf lifesaver.

As a member of Apex and Rotary for many years, he contributed to many projects that boosted the region.

In 1994 he helped start the Murwillumbah Army Cadets to provide discipline and life skills for local youth.

As commanding officer for 14 years he led the growth of the organisation and now serves as its training officer.

He stepped in to save the Tweed's iconic Banana Festival during tough times in 2005 and as volunteer president turned the event around.

It is now in its 56th year and raises $25,000 annually for local charities.

On top of that he fills his time as the volunteer controller of the Murwillumbah SES.

On call 24 hours a day, he manages the unit's response during floods, storms and tsunamis.

White Pages Product Manager Sarah Simpson said Mr Chrisostomos had set a fantastic example of the traditional Aussie, always willing to lend a helping hand.

"Australians have always banded together in times of need, it's the Aussie way," Ms Simpson said.

"No matter what the circumstances are, there's never any questions asked, we just get in and get the job done."

The Lismore White Pages and Yellow Pages book will be distributed over the next six weeks in a new compact-size format.

The height and width of the book has been reduced by 15 per cent to make it more compact and easier to handle.