Central Highlands stalwart Cr Paul Bell AM has been awarded with an Honorary Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

The degree was awarded during last weekend\'s (Feb 26) CQU Rockhampton graduations.

Mr Bell qualified as an electrical fitter/mechanic and worked in the railways and the mines in the Central Highlands.

With his home in Emerald, Mr Bell was elected as a Councillor to the Emerald Shire Council in 1985 and is still a Councillor today. He was elected Mayor in 1991 and stood down from that position in 2000.

His popularity and success as Mayor brought Mr Bell to the attention of a wider audience and today he performs a number of important corporate governance roles including President of the Australian Local Government Association, Deputy Chair of the Queensland Rail Board, Director of Ergon Energy Corporation Ltd, Director of the Queensland Local Government Superannuation Board and Chair of the Central Queensland Institute of TAFE.

He served on the University Council as a Governor in Council appointee from July 2001 until June 2004.

In January this year, Mr Bell was made a Member of the Order of Australia for service to local government, particularly through the Queensland and Australian Local Government Associations, to regional development and tourism, to vocational education and training, and to the community.

Mr Bell has made, and is making, an outstanding contribution to his community, to his State, and to the nation.