Retiring Mayor Magaret Strelow has been a long-time advocate for CQU and not only because of her support for education and development in the community.

Cr Strelow - who retires this Saturday after 8 years in the top job and who has just received a Zonta 'Living Treasure' award to mark International Women's Day - also has an affinitity with CQU as a graduate and former staff member.

Mayor Strelow was renowned for a hands-on approach

She completed her Diploma of Teaching (Primary) in 1984 and her Bachelor of Arts in 1992 and went on to work in the Office of Community Relations shortly after CQU gained full University status.

Cr Strelow became Rockhampton's first female Mayor and recruited a few of her former CQU colleagues, including Rick Palmer and Janet Boyd, to key positions in her council office.

Since becoming Mayor, Cr Strelow has attended many launches and functions relating to University initiatives and helped cement strong council-campus ties.

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Notable joint RCC-CQU projects included:

- the Queensland Resources Expo;

- 10,000 STEPS;

- research into the capping of rubbish dumps;

- the Multicultural Fair;

- CQU Press book launches;

- COIN (Internet Academy);

- and Smart Capricornia (bringing together key players in the coal and IT industries).

Most recently, she has been Rockhampton's "face of the flood' on national news services and images of her wading in waist-deep water exemplify her reputation for being in touch with residents.

Mayor Strelow has done extensive research and renovation on her house (Rockhampton's original railway offices) and has indicated she will open this as a Bed and Breakfast, with help from her eldest daughter who is a chef.