The untold story of famous Australian Sir Bruce Small and his connection to Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges will be explored in a new book documenting his life journey in sport and politics.
Mr Small’s legacy includes building the Malvern Star bicycle brand and becoming a pioneer of Australian cycling through managing famous cycling champions including cycling icon Hubert ‘Oppy’ Opperman.
He then retired to Surfers Paradise where he became famous all over again as the colourful mayor known as ‘Mr Gold Coast’.
The new book titled ‘Sir Bruce Small: From Malvern Star To Mr Gold Coast’, mentions Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges’ part in his incredible journey, from humble beginnings to his name appearing in thousands of news headlines over the decades.
Author Rachel Syers said Mr Small guided Oppy’s iconic career and it all started in the Macedon
Ranges and Sunbury.
“As it turns out, the Macedon Ranges and Sunbury are among the most significant locations in the book,” she said.
“[In regards to] how Bruce and cycling icon Hubert ‘Oppy’ Opperman met and became one of the most famous sporting partnerships in Australian sporting history.
“Oppy raced through the Macedon Ranges from North Essendon through Sunbury and
Woodend as a 17-year-old in the Cycle Traders road race in 1921 and came third.
“[He won] a Malvern Star bicycle and meeting Bruce Small – the rest is Australian sporting history.”
The book was launched on March 13.
