At 77 years of age, Grace Johansen has become one of Central Queensland University’s oldest students to receive a Doctoral Degree.

The Doctor of Philosophy, one of the highest degrees obtainable, earns Grace the title of \'Doctor\' and places her on the top rung of the academic ladder.

Dr Johansen completed her study on the role of women in work in regional Queensland 1940 – 1965 and has become a well-respected historian as a result of her academic career and will launch her first historical text published in 2003.

Dr Johansen’s achievements are even more significant considering she left school in year eleven and didn’t start studying again until 1987 when she enrolled in a CQU bridging program aged 63.

“After I left school I worked for a number of years before enlisting in the Australian Women’s Army Service in 1943 and served as a member of a searchlight unit and later in the psychology unit.

Grace left the AWAS after three and a half years service. She later married and raised two sons.

Her decision to start studying resulted from the need to do something different with her life.

“I had been caring for my sick husband for many years, I was bored and in need of some mental stimulation so I set out to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree.

“I am now the first Gladstone campus student to begin as an undergraduate student and go through to complete a doctorate.

After the death of her husband in 1989, Grace took a break from her Arts degree for a year but returned to complete the degree followed by an honours degree and in 1997 began her doctoral degree.

“It’s been a wonderful and rewarding journey, with a lot of hard work and frustrating times along the way.

“At first the technology was a bit daunting, I began by typing very gently with one finger with the fear of pressing the wrong button,” said Dr Johansen.

“I couldn’t have achieved what I have without the support of many CQU staff, friends and family and in particular my supervisor Associate Professor Dennis Cryle, previous head of campus Rex Metcalfe and Head of School Dr Andrew Wallace.

Dr Johansen’s book on the history of the Fitzroy Shire Council will be launched in April 2003.