Gold Coast icons gather to remember former Mayor Sir Bruce Small 35 years after his death
THE granddaughter of iconic former mayor Sir Bruce Small has called for a new statue of the man known as “Mr Gold Coast” to stand in Surfers Paradise.
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THE granddaughter of iconic former mayor Sir Bruce Small has called for a new statue of the man known as “Mr Gold Coast” to be erected in Surfers Paradise.
The famous developer, who served three non-consecutive terms as mayor, is commemorated with a statue on Elkhorn Ave but there are moves afoot to replace it with a more accurate likeness.
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It was placed on the Glitter Strip in the early 1980s but was based on his appearance during the final stages of his battle with cancer.
His granddaughter, Dr Anne Small, is now pushing for a new statue on the Surfers Paradise foreshore alongside that of other prominent Gold Coast residents to accurately depict the white shoe brigade icon in his prime.
A council committee is in the early stages of considering plans for other statues but the Gold Coast Bulletin understands no shortlist has been created.
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A small statue stands in Elkhorn Ave but it is not a well-known landmark on the Glitter Strip.
An emotional Dr Small, who now lives in Melbourne, said her grandfather deserved a proper memorial.
“We want to get the statue of him changed because it was commissioned when he had cancer and in my eyes he appears a frail man, lacking the strength and vitality he had,” she said.
“I would like to suggest a public-private partnership to get the statue redone.”
Area councillor Lex Bell, who knew Sir Bruce, said he was in favour of a new memorial.
“I have always felt the statue was not a proper likeness of him and I agree with Dr Small, so I would support the idea as well as moving it to the Esplanade.
“It is something we have talked about but no decision has been made yet.”
More than 50 friends and family gathered yesterday to remember the man known as Mr Gold Coast.
A new exhibition of Sir Bruce’s possessions, including photographs and plans for his many developments, including the Isle of Capri, is now on display at the Gold Coast Hinterland Historical Society museum at Bundall.
Dr Small was the keynote speaker at the event, which reunited some of the city’s most prominent players and National Party icons from the 1960s to the 1980s.
Among them were former Gold Coast mayors Cr Bell and Denis O’Connell, longtime Albert Shire Council chairman Bill Laver, and former councillors Jock McIlwain, Terry Morris and Max Christmas.
Also in attendance was former Gold Coast Bulletin editor John Burton and bikini queen Paula Stafford.
The celebration came a week short of 35 years since Sir Bruce died in 1980, aged 84.
Sir Bruce was born in Melbourne in 1895 and came to the Gold Coast in 1958 when he become a prominent property developer, building many of the city’s canals and housing developments.
He successfully ran for mayor at the age of 71 and led the Gold Coast through the 1967 cyclone season and played a major role in tourism promotions for the city alongside the Meter Maids.
Through the 1970s he spent much of his time serving simultaneously as mayor, councillor and State MP for Surfers Paradise.
His career ended in 1978 when the council was sacked by the Bjelke-Petersen Government.
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