CQU will confer the Honorary Award of Companion of the University on former Bundaberg Mayor Kay McDuff* during this week's Bundaberg graduation ceremony, from 6pm on Thursday, May 1 at the Moncrieff Theatre.

Ms McDuff is also the guest speaker for the ceremony, to be attended by 94 graduates, including a developing author. (details at:

Graduate turns new page in life thanks to degree  )

Kay McDuff

The very musical event will feature choral performances by the Bundaberg Youth Choir Vocal Ensemble and the visiting Shalom College New Zealand Vocal Ensemble, as well as individual performances by Dr Wendy Davis (instrumental) and Robyn Edgar (vocals).

Narelle Essam will deliver the closing address on behalf of graduates.

* Kay McDuff, Dip Teach, BEd KelvinGrove, was the Mayor of Bundaberg for 8 years.

She came to that position, groomed with experience accrued from holding the position of Deputy Mayor. She won the Mayoralty in 1998, was unopposed at the 2000 election and won the 2004 election with an outright majority.  Kay grew up on a cane farm and completed her secondary education in Bundaberg, before completing her teaching degree. She taught at Bundaberg Central Primary School, then decided to teach at secondary level, so undertook further studies. This led to teaching positions at Maryborough Girls High School, Ipswich High, Bundaberg High and finally a role as Deputy Principal at Kepnock High where she remained for 19 years.

As Mayor of Bundaberg, Kay had some memorable achievements.  Some of special note were the increase in bikeways and pathways, and with her focus well into the future, the completion of the first stage of the Riverside Parklands project, the planning for a Turtle Interpretive Centre and the Hinkler Hall of Aviation.

She was Chairperson of Bundaberg City Council's Finance and Corporate Governance Committee and was an executive member of the Local Government Association of Queensland and the Urban Local Government Association of Queensland. She was also Patron of 16 local organisations and has had a lifelong association with the Red Cross Society, having been elected to represent the Society at Conferences both in Australia and overseas. In 1990, Kay received the Red Cross Society's "Distinguished Service Medal" for dedicated work with Red Cross youth.