City Libraries, City of Gold Coast

Gold Coast Mayor Bruce Small (standing) and one of his closest cycling colleagues Jack Baker of Geelong

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Gold Coast Mayor Bruce Small (standing) and one of his closest cycling colleagues Jack Baker of Geelong

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Mr Baker and the Mayor are reminiscing on a photograph album"Mr Baker, now retired, rode with 'Oppy' - now Sir Hubert Opperman, Australian High Commissioner in Malta who spent many years working in the professional cycling field with Mayor Small, when he was 'king' of the Malvern Star Empire. Mr Baker was a sports broadcaster for the ABC - his last performance being the calling of the Bendigo Thousand in 1957. In 1937, Mr Baker went to England with 'Oppy' and Bruce Small to compete in cycling events in England and Europe to mark the Coronation of King George VI. He first went to work for Mayor Small on Malvern Star publicity in 1935 and at the same time furthered his broadcasting talents on a part time basis. He was a top line cyclist in his own right and in fact his Perth - Bunbury and return motor pace road record still stands. After returning from overseas in 1937 Mr Baker operated an indoor cycling track at Surrey Hills in Sydney and with top international riders presented the first six day indoor cycle race in Australia. Mr Baker trained Olympian Russell Mockeridge and prepared him for the 1948 games. He last saw Mayor Small in 1948 but spent some time with him on a recent holiday on the Gold Coast."--Information supplied with photograph

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