Mary Wagner to receive Honorary Degree of Doctor

USQ will confer an Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University to Mrs Mary Wagner during the University's Spring Graduation ceremony on Saturday 8 September 2007.

USQ Chancellor, Bobbie Brazil, said this rare honor is awarded to those who have provided distinguished service to the community and/or the University.

'The case for this award is founded on Mary Wagner's longstanding support of the University, and her service to the community.'

Born in Warwick, Queensland, Mary Doyle grew up on a dairy farm and spent most of her school years as a boarder at All Hallows in Brisbane.

Following school, Mary completed her nursing training at Brisbane's Mater Hospital and took up nursing duties at St Vincent's Hospital in Toowoomba in 1957, where she met Henry Wagner. They were married in 1958 in Toowoomba, where they continue to reside surrounded by their family of eight children and thirty grandchildren.

'Mary Wagner is a woman with seemingly endless energy and an unfailing commitment to her family and the community,' said the Chancellor.

'She is actively involved in the family business, Wagner Investments, playing a substantial role in the promotion of the business while maintaining contact with many of the 750 employees and their families.

'Despite her busy career, Mary has given tremendously to the community over many years. She has been a member of Zonta for twenty years, and serves on the Board of Lourdes Aged Care Facility.'

Mary is presently Chair of the National Carriage Factory Campaign, a project of national and international significance which will see Toowoomba's Cobb and Co Museum listed as a heritage training complex. Mary is also Patron of TRAMS – the Toowoomba Regional Migrant Service, and has personally sponsored two refugee families from Sudan.

Mary's dedicated service to the community was recognised in 2000 with a Centenary Medal for her contributions to Australian Society. In 2003, she received a Volunteer of the Year award for her work in the Toowoomba District. In 2004, she was awarded the Community Service Medal by the Queensland Government for her contributions to the community.

'Mary's association with USQ spans many years and she is known within the University community as a persuasive and bountiful supporter of this institution,' said the Chancellor.

Mrs Wagner will be presented with an Honorary Degree of Doctor from USQ during the Spring Graduation morning ceremony at the Empire Theatre from 10am.

Media are welcome to attend.

Media Contact: Amy Cass, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2092