The Small Boy

James Richard Small was the third child born to Ivan andPhoebe Small, in the Sydney suburb of Bondi on September22, 1933.As a young boy Jim, as he became known, moved with hisfamily to Deniliquin in the Riverina area of New SouthWales.He grew up in a family of strong values and work ethic,and these have remained with him throughout a life thathas extended beyond 80 years.Jim married Judy Davies at Mullumbimby on October 15,1955 and the couple made their home at Deniliquin, whereJim was...
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James Richard Small was the third child born to Ivan andPhoebe Small, in the Sydney suburb of Bondi on September22, 1933.As a young boy Jim, as he became known, moved with hisfamily to Deniliquin in the Riverina area of New SouthWales.He grew up in a family of strong values and work ethic,and these have remained with him throughout a life thathas extended beyond 80 years.Jim married Judy Davies at Mullumbimby on October 15,1955 and the couple made their home at Deniliquin, whereJim was building a successful farming operation.He was also getting involved in community affairs,including the local school, church, rice industry, efforts tobuild a nursing home and politics.This latter interest led to Jim Small winning pre-selection,then election, to represent the electorate of Murray in theNew South Wales Parliament, which he continued doingfor 14 years.On retirement, not content with relaxing back on the farm,Jim undertook a massive fundraising effort and rode hispushbike more than 13,000 kilometres around Australia.In more recent years Jim and Judy have returned in theircaravan to towns he briefly visited on this marathon ride.Now both are octogenarians and live a more quiet life onthe family property 'Billinudgel', outside Deniliquin.'The Small Boy' tells Jim's story, from his childhood as abank manager's son to his years in politics and beyond.