Bundaberg's Louise Francis has added a bit of creativity to her retirement with completion of a Master of Letters degree in Creative Writing.

The 56-year-old grandmother said the process of gaining the degree had been a good springboard and she was now looking forward to developing her interest in poetry and illustrations.

Ms Francis praised Associate Professor Wally Woods and other staff of CQU for helping her complete her studies, culminating in a major thesis work blending a non-fiction and fictional account of her arrival in Queensland, entitled 'Pineapples Grow on Trees'.

"I really did think that pineapples grew on trees when I first came here," she said.

Ms Francis certainly has plenty of life experience to draw on for her creative writing.

Born in Holland, she went on student exchange to Sweden before working as a domestic in a London College and as a receptionist on a North Sea passenger liner.

Moving to Australia in 1971, she completed a Bachelor of Arts in languages (UQ) and a Diploma of Education (UNE).

She worked on the family strawberry farm and as a high school teacher in Bundaberg.

"The Master of Letters was a challenge since English is not my native language, but Wally Woods was very supportive," she said.

Ms Francis will graduate at Central Queensland University's Rockhampton graduation ceremony on Saturday, March 11.