Sir Bruce Small: From Malvern Star to Mr Gold Coast, The Official Biography by Rachel Syers (Secondhand Book)

SECONDHAND BOOK

The incredibly big life of Sir Bruce Small is now told.

The extraordinary story of a man born into hardship who became a legend in Australian sport and politics, appearing in thousands of news headlines for more than half a century. A brilliant entrepreneur and visionary, Sir Bruce Small built his Malvern Star bicycle empire into a household name. Sir Bruce was manager and best friend to world champion cyclist Hubert ‘Oppy’ Opperman, and orchestrated some of the most historic moments in the golden era of cycling – from superstardom in France and winning ‘The Ashes’ of cycling in England, to spectacular endurance records such as crossing the Nullarbor and pedalling more than 100,000km in a year.

Leaving Melbourne for ‘retirement’, he became a millionaire mayor and parliamentarian for Queensland’s Gold Coast, transforming Surfers Paradise into a tourist mecca, and leading promotional tours from Tasmania to Tokyo featuring meter maids and bikini models to attract holidaymakers. His unorthodox style caused controversy and his entire city council was sacked, while the public adored him as the charitable and flamboyant ‘Mr Gold Coast’ who stood by his morals, donated every cent of his political wages for 12 years, and developed luxury canal estates now worth billions.

Years in the making, this all-encompassing official biography lifts the curtain on a life of celebration, tribulation and triumph. Rich in history and visually captivating, it features more than 260 stunning photographs – many from the Small and Opperman private collections – and highly detailed research sourced from more than 100 newspapers, books and journals. Combining this with 100 personal interviews including an exclusive with Oppy’s son Ian Opperman, author and journalist Rachel Syers meticulously weaves the complex tapestry of a spectacular public success story and a surprising personal life of philanthropy, community service, love and loyalty.

Specifications:

Condition: Very good, only minor marks

Publisher: Debanne Pty Ltd

Year: 2023

Format: Hardback, no dustjacket

Pages: 302pp

ISBN: 9780648367147

$20.00

1 in stock