She’s been the voice of Central Queensland University for 16 years, but now it's time to hang up the phone and call it a day.

CQU Rockhampton’s long serving switchboard operator, Iris Stevens will retire this month to spend more time fishing, gardening and playing with her grandchildren.

Iris has been the first point of contact for thousands of people phoning the University. She has earned the respect of both her work colleagues and the community due to her friendly and helpful nature.

"Most people across the organisation have probably, at some point in time, spoken with Iris at the end of a phone but many have never actually met her,” Director of CQU’s Staff and Student Services, David Swann said.

“Evidence of her positive impact upon the organisation is the fact that even those who have only interacted with Iris across the phone, hold her in high regard in respect to her personable nature, helpfulness, sense of humour and professionalism.

"Iris is someone the University will sorely miss, as she is the epitome of what a good switchboard operator should be: consistently helpful to all enquirers in the interests of the University and it's image, and has the ability to keep a smile in her voice," CQU’s appointments manager Cliff Schnick said.

“If she didn't know the answer to an enquiry, she went to any length to find out.

Over the years Iris has seen a number of changes at the University. “I have seen staff come and go and technology change,” Iris said.

She has seen the University grow from a staff of 259 to today’s approximate 1700. With the growth in staff also came the increase in phone extensions – Iris now operates about 2000 extensions.

“When I first came here all calls went through the switchboard and I would deal with up to 800 calls a day, but since then staff have been given their own access to dial out. Now, there could be anything between 300 to 500 incoming calls a day.

Iris has also had to modify her phone greeting over the years from “Welcome to The Capricornia Institute of Advanced Education” to “..... University College of Central Queensland”; “....University of Central Queensland”; and today “.....Central Queensland University”. Iris believes having a “real person” answer the phone is an excellent quality of the University, considering the size of the organisation.

“Many large organisations have machines answer the phone. I think it means a lot to people to have a real person on the other end of the line. I have had many people comment about it.” “I will definitely miss the people contact. I feel very privileged to have worked with a wonderful group of people that made up the team of Personnel Services and now Staff and Student Services and my switchboard relief staff in ITD.

“I have worked continually for 38 years, and as I will turn 65 next year, I thought it was time to retire and go onto the next stage in my life, but nevertheless I am sad to go.” Despite enjoying her job and working with a great staff, Iris will sign off for the final time on Friday July 18.

An event to farewell Iris has been planned for Friday July 18 on the lawns adjacent to Buildings 2 and 5 from 4pm.