Sir Bruce Small: 40 years on from iconic Gold Coast mayor’s death in May 1980

Sir Bruce Small became known as “Mr Gold Coast” for his incredible legacy in the city. His death 40 years brought friends and rivals together to pay tribute to his life.

THE Gold Coast has never seen another person like Sir Bruce Small.

The man known as Mr Gold Coast redefined the city in the 1960s and played a significant role in shaping its modern face.

The prominent developer turned two-time mayor died 40 years ago yesterday, age 84, leaving behind an incredible legacy.

Upon his death, the Bulletin described him as “the most loved and sometimes the most criticised man the Gold Coast has ever seen.”

The Gold Coast Bulletin on the day after Sir Bruce’s death.

Sir Bruce died just two years after leaving city hall after a long battle with cancer.

“He just closed his eyes and went to sleep … and then he went to heaven, it was a nice way to die. He just slipped away,” Pindara Private Hospital’s Matron Gwen Ramsay said of his final moments.

Sir Bruce’s wife, Lady Small, son Kelly and grandson Roger were by his side.

Former mayor Sir Bruce Small.

His doctor, Glen Parker, told the Bulletin that Sir Bruce was aware he would not leave hospital during his last days.

“I knew he knew but he didn’t complain and he didn’t say anything,” Dr Parker said at the time.

“For weeks he had been refusing to be admitted to hospital because he knew it would be a one-way trip.

Sir Bruce Small.

“When he agreed to go on Tuesday afternoon he knew the end was nigh.”

Sir Bruce had cancer and it had been consuming him in his last years.

Tributes poured in for the former mayor and Surfers Paradise MP.

Close friend Sir Hubert Opperman called him “the greatest man I have ever known,” while Sir Bruce’s frequent rival, Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, called him one of Queensland’s “grandest citizens”.

Bruce Small was an icon.

“A man who set an example of determination and faith,” Sir Joh said.

Alderman Norm Rix, a political ally and friend, said the former mayor left a vacancy “that could never be filled”.

“As Gold Coast mayor, a council Alderman and MLA for Surfers Paradise, he served the community well,” Ald Rix said.

Sir Bruce died on May 1, 1980.

“Sir Bruce was successful in his own right in business, as an entrepreneur and development and great promoter of the Gold Coast.”

Among those who paid tribute to Sir Bruce were then-mayor Keith Hunt, deputy mayor Sir John Egerton, Liberal Party leader Dr Llew Edwards and fellow MP Peter White.

Sir Bruce Small was famous for his promotion of the Gold Coast.

The day after his death, the Gold Coast Council, over which Sir Bruce has presided from 1967 to 1973 and again from 1976 to 1978, held a minute’s silence.

Sir Bruce Small’s funeral was held the day after his death at Allambe Gardens at Nerang in a service led by a Salvation Army minister.

Both Deputy Prime Minister Doug Anthony and Finance Minister Eric Robinson attended.

Historian Alexander McRobbie wrote a tribute to Sir Bruce Small in the Bulletin.

Sir Bruce Small (1895-1980)

“Yesterday the great dark jaws of death yawned open yet again and another leading actor on the Gold Coast stage made his final bow,” he wrote.

“If I had to name the single most memorable quality Sir Bruce Small possessed, it would be fervour.

“He had all the blazing zeal of a Calvinist missionary and the burning pyrexial fever of a man with a vision.

“His vision, which came to him rather late in life, was of a Gold Coast that would boom.”