Edgar Tanner

Tanner was born on 10 August 1904 at Albany, Western Australia. He was the eldest of four children. ==Military career==

In 1929, Tanner had been commissioned in the Militia. In November 1941, Tanner was appointed temporary captain in the 2nd Australian Imperial Force. He was a member of the Gull 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. ==Political career==

In May 1955, Tanner representing the Liberal and Country Party, won the seat of Ripponlea in the Victorian Legislative Assembly. 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. His son Ted was the member for Caulfield from 1979 to 1996. ==Sports administration career==

Boxing Tanner won a University of Melbourne blue for boxing and fought in 150 featherweight bouts and lost seven. He was appointed secretary of the Victorian Amateur Boxing and Wrestling Association in the 1930s. This election led to his campaign with Bill Uren, VOC Chairman, for Melbourne to host the 1956 Summer Olympics. Tanner served as the secretary of the Organising Committee of 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. He was president of the Australian Olympic Federation from 1974 to 1977. ==Honours==

• 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 Commonwealth Games Australia • Sir Edgar Tanner Trophy is for the best performed team at the Australian Boxing Championships == References ==