Hubert Opperman Retirement Village

Each Ryman village is named in honour of a Kiwi or Aussie trailblazer: Anthony Wilding, Lady Diana Isaac, Evelyn Page. They pushed further and set the bar high for others to aspire to. In creating communities that challenge the expectations of ageing, Ryman villages are also setting the bar high. They’re demonstrating that a retirement lifestyle brimming with new experiences, connections and fulfilment is something we should aspire to. Our Aussie and Kiwi namesakes represent the measure of inspiration, while Ryman villages represent the measure of retirement living.

Sir Hubert Opperman (1904 – 1996)

Sir Hubert Opperman, widely known as "Oppy," was an extraordinary Australian cyclist and politician whose life epitomised the spirit of perseverance and triumph over adversity.

Born on May 29, 1904, in Rochester, Victoria, Opperman's passion for cycling propelled him to become one of Australia's most celebrated sportsmen of the 20th century. 

Throughout his illustrious career, Opperman displayed exceptional resilience, unyielding determination, and unwavering commitment to his goals. 

In 1928, he became the first Australian cyclist to participate in the prestigious Tour de France, where he showcased his exceptional talent and stamina. His performances in the Tour de France and other international races earned him widespread recognition and respect among the global cycling community.

In 1931 Hubert Opperman became the world’s greatest endurance cyclist when he won the 1931 non-stop Paris-Brest-Paris tour (726 miles/1162km) breaking all previous records over the distance in a time of 49 hours 23 minutes.

He was voted Europe’s most popular sportsman in 1928 by more than 500,000 readers of the French sporting journal L’Auto, ahead of their own national tennis champion Henri Cochet.

In 1940 Opperman set more than 100 distance records in a 24-hour cycling marathon at a Sydney Velodrome. Many of his distance records were not broken until decades later.

His cycling career came to an end with World War II when he joined the Royal Australian Air Force and rose to the level of Flight Lieutenant.

After retiring from professional cycling in 1940, Oppy transitioned into the realm of politics, where he continued to make a significant impact. Opperman's political career spanned over two decades, during which he served in various ministerial positions, including Minister for Immigration and Minister for Shipping and Transport.

His commitment to building a more inclusive and multicultural society has had a lasting impact on Australia's social fabric.

Oppy was inducted into The Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 as an Athlete Member for his contribution to the sport of cycling and was elevated to “Legend of Australian Sport” in 1993.

Hubert Opperman's remarkable achievements and indomitable spirit continue to inspire generations of Australians.