Ronald William `` Ron '' Clarke , AO , MBE ( 21 February 1937 -- 17 June 2015 ) was an Australian athlete , writer , and Mayor of the Gold Coast from 2004 to 2012 .
Ronald William `` Ron '' Clarke AO MBE ( 21 February 1937 -- 17 June 2015 ) was an Australian athlete , writer , and politician . He served as Mayor of the Gold Coast from 25 March 2004 until 27 February 2012 .