Kev Carmody - the singing doctor

On a beautiful sunny autumn morning, with the temperature hovering around 20C, I arrived with my wife Rhonda, also an academic at the USQ, and together we made our way to the academic waiting room.

As we were being scrutinised by officials to ensure we conformed to the academic dress code (correct gown, stole, hat and so on) for such occasions, I spotted Kev, off to our right, looking authoritative in his academic gown and wearing the unmistakable floppy hat that distinguishes academics that have been, or are about to be conferred, a Doctorate.

“Brother Steve - I’m bloody sweating under this gown - I shouldn’t have worn that bloody T-shirt underneath my shirt,” said Kev inelegantly as he shook my hand and gave Rhonda a warm embrace.

I tried to reassure Kev that once we got into the auditorium it wouldn’t be so warm but I could see from his perspiring brow that my pitch wasn’t working. But despite his discomfort Kev presented a brave face as he continued to receive congratulatory hand shakes and pats on the back from academics whom he didn’t know, but who no doubt uses his writings in their daily teaching.

As the names were being called by the Master of Ceremonies for the order in which academics would parade into the large auditorium I noticed the Vice Chancellor and Kev in an animated discussion. The next thing I observed was Kev and other officials rushing into the auditorium to locate Kev’s misplaced written speech.

With the hastily retrieved papers firmly in his hand Kev took his position in the academic line as the procession commenced.

USQ Chancellor, Bobbie Brazil, said in her address to the attentive audience of graduands and their families that the rare honour of Honorary Doctorate is awarded to those who have provided distinguished service to the community and/or the University.

“The case for the Award was founded on the significant contributions that Kev Carmody, Aboriginal singer, songwriter, and raconteur, has made to the Australian community.”

USQ Vice Chancellor, Bill Lovegrove, also delivered a poignant speech of Kev’s many achievements and acknowledged him as one of Aboriginal Australia’s most visible ambassadors. Professor Lovegrove further noted in his concluding remarks that Kev “… drew on his own experience and those of the wider Australian community with his songs that deliver a message that has universal significance and so touched audiences all over the world.”

“Chancellor, in recognition for his outstanding achievement in and significant contribution to Australian Indigenous music it is my great pleasure to present to you Mr Kevin Carmody for conferral of the degree of Doctor, honoris causa,, of the University to which he is already admitted by the Council.”

After a rousing reception that echoed for several long minutes, around the vast arena, Kev humbly rose to present the occasional address.

“I do feel like a fish out of water my friends - I really do - Thank you so much for this hospitality - I’ll be very brief - I’m not going to go into any sort of in-depth academic analysis of education or technological advancement. I’ll just tell you a story. My story,” Kev said.