THE University of New England is to confer an honourary doctorate to the Speaker of the NSW Parliament and the Member for Northern Tablelands, Richard Torbay.

New of the announcement by the UNE chancellor John Cassidy came yesterday with the honour to be awarded at the October 6 graduation ceremony on the campus.

Mr Torbay has spent 20 years working for the University Union, the last nine years as chief executive officer and he is currently a member of the UNE council. He started work as a kitchen hand in 1980 and chief executive officer in 1991.

"It is very special to receive this recognition from the University, which I know so well and for which I have such a high regard," he said.

New of the announcement by the UNE chancellor John Cassidy came yesterday with the honour to be awarded at the October 6 graduation ceremony on the campus.

Mr Torbay has spent 20 years working for the University Union, the last nine years as chief executive officer and he is currently a member of the UNE council. He started work as a kitchen hand in 1980 and chief executive officer in 1991.

"It is very special to receive this recognition from the University, which I know so well and for which I have such a high regard," he said.