Sir Harold George Alderson (18 August 1890 – 4 October 1978) was a former Australian sports administrator including President of the

Australian Olympic Federation Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal Au ...

and Australian British Empire & Commonwealth Games Association.

Personal

Alderson was born 18 August 1890 at Balmain, a Sydney suburb. He was the second child of James Bull Alderson, architect, and his wife Lilias Maud, née Smith. Alderson attended Mosman Public School and Fort Street Model School. In 1919, he opened a public accountancy business in the city. He died on 4 October 1978 at Mosman and was survived by his second wife Hilda Nancy Buddee and a daughter.

Sports administration career

Rowing

In 1911, Alderson became a member of the Mosman Rowing Club and in 1915 was the club captain. He then became involved in the New South Wales Rowing Association. He was Secretary from 1918 to 1920, chairman from 1920 to 1970 and president from 1970 to 1978. He was Secretary of the Anniversary Regatta Committee for over 50 years from 1920. From 1927 to 1972, he was the New South Wales Councillor on the Australian Amateur Rowing Council Board. Alderson was a regular rowing contributor to the

Sydney Morning Herald ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' (''SMH'') is a daily compact newspaper published in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and owned by Nine. Founded in 1831 as the ''Sydney Herald'', the ''Herald'' is the oldest continuously published newspaper i ...

Olympic Games

Alderson had an extensive involvement in the Australian Olympic movement and one journalist referred to him as "Mr Olympics". He was President of the New South Wales Olympic Council from 1926 to 1970. In 1936, he was Vice President of the Australian Olympic Federation (AOF) and became President of the Australian Olympic Federation (AOF) in 1946, a position held 1973 when he was replaced by

Edgar Tanner Sir Edgar Stephen Tanner, CBE (10 August 1904 - 21 November 1979) was an Australian sports administrator and Victorian politician. He was a former secretary-general and president of the Australian Olympic Federation and Chairman of the Australian ...

. Alderson stepped down as President at the age eighty-two. He was General Manager of the Australian team at the

1936 Berlin Olympics The 1936 Summer Olympics (German: ''Olympische Sommerspiele 1936''), officially known as the Games of the XI Olympiad (German: ''Spiele der XI. Olympiade'') and commonly known as Berlin 1936 or the Nazi Olympics, were an international multi-sp ...

. In his official report on the Games, Alderson stated the need for the construction of cinder tracks and indoor swimming pools in Australia. Harry Gordon wrote that he "returned disillusioned by the intrusion of nationalism and professionalism into the Olympics". Alderson believed that Australia should focus n the

British Empire Games The Commonwealth Games, often referred to as the Friendly Games or simply the Comm Games, are a quadrennial international multi-sport event among athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930, and, with the exce ...

rather than the Olympics. As President of the AOF, he played an important role in Melbourne's bid for the

1956 Summer Olympics The 1956 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, from 22 November to 8 December 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, whi ...

as he was a member of the four-man bid delegation. In 1973, just prior to retiring lamented that the Olympics were becoming a contest between nations to provide the biggest Games. After his death,

Sydney Grange Sydney Broadway Grange AO OBE MVO (28 August 1912 – 28 October 1996) was an Australian sports administrator and President of the Australian Olympic Federation. Personal Grange was born on 28 August 1912 in Watford, England. He was one of ...

, AOF Chairman said: "Sir Harold had contributed more to the Olympic movement in Australia than any other individual. As Chairman for some 30 years he steered the federation through many Olympics."

Commonwealth Games

Alderson was Chairman of the various Australian Commonwealth Games Committee's from 1949 to 1973. Alderson's served on the 1938, 1962 and 1966

and

Commonwealth Games The Commonwealth Games, often referred to as the Friendly Games or simply the Comm Games, are a quadrennial international multi-sport event among athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930, and, with the exce ...

Committees. Alderson also served as Chairman of the New South Wales Sports Club, Rothmans Sports Foundation and New South Wales Council of National Fitness. Alderson was the honorary treasurer of the St John Ambulance Australia New South Wales Division for over 30 years.

Honours

1938 Birthday Honours The King's Birthday Honours 1938 were appointments in many of the Commonwealth realms of King George VI to various orders and honours to reward and highlight the meritorious work of his subjects in those countries. The appointments were made to c ...

Appointed

Member of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

(MBE), for role General Manager of the Australian team at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. *

1956 Birthday Honours The Queen's Birthday Honours 1956 were appointments in many of the Commonwealth realms of Queen Elizabeth II to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of those countries. The appointments were made to celebrate ...

Knighted A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state (including the Pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the Christian denomination, church or the country, especially in a military capacity. Knighthood ...

for services to amateur sport. *1959 - Appointed

Commander of the Order of St John The Order of St John, short for Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (french: l'ordre très vénérable de l'Hôpital de Saint-Jean de Jérusalem) and also known as St John International, is a British royal order of c ...

. *1997 - Sport Australia Hall of Fame Awards inductee. *Life Member of the

Australian Olympic Committee Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal Aus ...

. *Life Member of the New South Wales Olympic Council. *Life Member of

Commonwealth Games Australia Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) is the Commonwealth Games Association for Australia, and is responsible for representing and promoting the Commonwealth Sport movement in the country, and organises the participation of athletes at the Commonwea ...

References

External links

Sir Harold George Alderson, Australian Dictionary of Biography
* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Alderson, Harold 1890 births 1978 deaths People educated at Fort Street High School Australian Knights Bachelor Australian Olympic Committee administrators Commonwealth Games Australia officials Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductees Australian Members of the Order of the British Empire Commanders of the Order of St John