Former Deputy Prime Minister recognised at ceremony

A former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia was made an Honorary Doctor of Southern Cross University at the Tweed Gold Coast graduation ceremony today.

The Right Honourable Doug Anthony received the Award in recognition of his service to Australian politics and to the people of northern NSW. The Award was conferred by the University Chancellor The Hon John Dowd AO QC.

The University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Lee FTSE, said Mr Anthony was honoured for his continued service to northern NSW.

“Although Doug has retired to his family farm near Murwillumbah, his passion for the North Coast continues through his generosity and community spirit. Doug, and his wife Margot, donated the land necessary to accommodate the new Margaret Olley Art Centre at the Tweed River Gallery, having donated the original land which houses the gallery,” Professor Lee said.

“Doug’s services to the North Coast, and indeed, Australia, make him a very worthy recipient of the Award.”

Mr Anthony was a Member of Parliament for more than 26 years. He was Deputy Prime Minister from 1971 to 1972 in the Gorton and McMahon governments, and from 1975 to 1983 in the Fraser government. He acted as Prime Minister on more than 25 occasions.

Born in Murwillumbah, Doug Anthony graduated from the Queensland Agricultural College, before returning to northern NSW to help manage his father Larry’s farms. Larry Anthony was the member for Richmond, and when he passed away in 1957, Doug was elected to succeed him as member for Richmond at the age of 27. He held the seat until his resignation in 1984, winning eleven, successive elections.

Doug Anthony served in six governments and with seven different leaders of the Liberal Party. He was Deputy Leader of his party for four years and almost 13 years as Leader, the youngest ever elected. His ministerial portfolios included Interior, Primary Industry, Trade and Industry, Overseas Trade, National Resources, and Trade and Resources.

Doug Anthony was appointed a Privy Councillor in 1971, a Companion of Honour in 1981 and was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001. He was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2003, for service to the Australian Parliament, for forging the development of bilateral trade agreements, and for continued leadership and dedication to the social, educational, health and development needs of rural and regional communities.

Photo: The Right Honourable Doug Anthony, left, receives his Award from Southern Cross University Chancellor The Hon John Dowd AO QC.