Former Wallabies captain Sir Nicholas Shehadie has died aged 92 on Sunday night.
A much-respected Wallaby, playing 30 Tests and over 100 games for the Wallabies between 1946-58, Shehadie later went on to serve as president of the Australian Rugby Union; a role that saw him play an integral role in the creation of the Rugby World Cup in 1987.
Shehadie also had a distinguished public life.
The husband of former NSW Governor General Dam Marie Bashir, Shehadie also served as Sydney's Lord Mayor between 1973 and 1975, and was the chairman of SBS for two decades, between 1981 and 1999.
A distinguished figure, politicians and business figures paid tribute.
Former Prime Minister Toby Abbott tweeted "Sir Nicholas Shehadie improved everything he was involved with."
He will be much missed by the Sunday morning walkers at Balmoral where he was a fixture until quite recently. My deepest condolences to Dame Marie who has lost a wonderful partner. 2/2
— Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) February 11, 2018
Sir Nicholas Shehadie improved everything he was involved with. He improved rugby as Wallaby captain, improved our city as Lord Mayor and even managed to improve SBS as its chairman. He radiated warmth and was perfectly at home in a boardroom or a bar. 1/2
— Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) February 11, 2018
While Alan Jones, who was Wallabies coach under Shehadie's administration said on radio: "[He was] a wonderful, wonderful Australian... a beautiful man. Our thoughts are very much with Marie and the family, lovely people."
Australian rugby captain...Sydney Lord Mayor...SBS chairman...husband to the Governor of NSW Dame Marie Bashir
— Luke Foley (@Luke_FoleyNSW) February 11, 2018
Sir Nicholas Shehadie was a truly great Australian.
May he rest in peace