Edgar Tanner

Background

Tanner was born on 10 August 1904 at Albany, Western Australia.

Education

He attended All Saints Grammar School, Street Kilda and studied commerce at the University of Melbourne.

Career

He was a former secretary-general and president of the Australian Olympic Federation. He was the eldest of four children. He joined the advertising staff of the Herald and Weekly Times.

In 1929, Tanner had been commissioned in the Militia.

In November 1941, Tanner was appointed temporary captain in the 2nd Australian Imperial Force. In January 1942, he became prisoner of war after Gull Force was overpowered by the Japanese in Ambon.

Whilst a prisoner of war at Hainan, he organised sports events including a running race between Australian and Dutch prisoners. When Ripponlea was abolished in 1967, he was elected to Caulfield which he held until in retirement in February 1976.

Whilst in the parliament, he was chairman of several committees and deputy-speaker from 1970 to 1973.

Boxing He was appointedd secretary of the Victorian Amateur Boxing and Wrestling Association in the 1930s. He managed Australia"s boxing and wrestling team at the 1938 Sydney British Empire Games, Sydney. In 1979, he stepped down as president of the Amateur Boxing Union of Australia, a position that he held for over 20 years.

Olympic Games In June 1946, Tanner was elected secretary-treasurer Victorian Olympic Council (VOC) This election led to his campaign with Bill Uren, VOC Chairman, for Melbourne to host the 1956 Summer Olympics.

Tanner and Uren gained the support of the then Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir James Connelly, and Sir Frank Beaurepaire, a former Lord Mayor. Beaurepaire"s standing in the Olympic movement is stated as a major factor for the successful Melbourne Olympic bid.

Tanner served as the secretary of the Organising Committee of 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. In May 1947, at the Australian Olympic Federation"s first meeting since World World War II, Tanner was elected secretary-general., a position that he held until 1974.

He was General Manager of the Australian team at the 1948 London Olympics.

He was president of the Australian Olympic Federation from 1974 to 1977. His presidency came to an end when defeated by Sydney Grange in a ballot in 1977. Commmonwealth Games Games 1957 - The Order of the British Empire - Commander (Civil)for Secretary of the Olympic Games Committee.

Achievements

• 1957 - The Order of the British Empire - Commander (Civil)for Secretary of the Olympic Games Committee 1968 - Knight Bachelor for Secretary of the Australian Olympic Federation Life Member Australian Olympic Committee Sir Edgar Tanner Trophy is for the best performed team at the Australian Boxing Championships.

Membership

He was a member of the Gull Force. After Tanner was elected a member of parliament, the media questioned his ability to concurrently serve in important Olympic positions including secretary of the Organising Committee of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics as well as a member of Parliament.