Sydney Grange

[1] During World War II, he served with the Royal Australian Airforce for five years in northern Australia.

[1] After the war, he worked in the Premier's Department and in the early 1960s was appointed the State's ceremonial officer.

[5] Grange became president of the AOF after the Australian team failed to win a gold medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

[1] After taking on the position of president, Grange stated the need for organized training programs and preparation and lobbying the Australian Government for financial assistance.

[7] During the 1970s and early 1980s, the Australian Olympic Federation was primarily administered by Grange as President and Julius Patching as secretary-general.

Gordon noted that Grange and Patching supported the boycott, probably due to their years of government service.

[4] However, after the AOF decided to attend, both Grange and Patching made every effort to ensure that Australia send its best possible team to Moscow.