The son of Lebanese immigrants, Sir Nicholas Shehadie ranks among the highest achievers in Australian civic and sporting life. Born and raised in the rough-and-tumble Sydney suburb of Redfern, Sir Nicholas spent his formative years in Randwick and Coogee, where his natural athleticism inevitably brought him to the attention of the Randwick Rugby Club and the Australian Rugby Union - initially against his parents' wishes.
Sir Nicholas went on to play 30 international Tests for the Wallabies in the 1940s and 50s. He later became president of the Australian Rugby Union, presiding over the game's transition to professionalism and the inauguration of the Rugby World Cup.
The sporting qualities of toughness but fairness earned Sir Nicholas respect as a strong and inspiring leader, not only in the sport world, but also in business and public life. While establishing a flourishing business he served as lord mayor of Sydney in the tumultuous era of green bans and the rapidly changing face of Sydney city. For nearly two decades he served as chairman of SBS - during its formative years - and oversaw the building of the Sydney Football Stadium while chairman of the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust.
In 'A Life Worth Living', Sir Nicholas reflects on his life and achievements with characteristic humility and charm. This is an inspirational and absorbing story of a man who never said "I can't".
