of the International Olympic Committee's Centenary of Olympic Games Award, and Honorary Life Patron of the Olympians Club of Victoria, in 2003. Patching's outstanding contribution to sport was also honoured with appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1970 and as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1985. Peter Norman Patching was Chef de Mission for Australia during the famous 1968 Olympics Black Power salute. He resisted calls by conservatives in the media to punish Peter Norman, who wore a human rights badge on the dais. He cautioned Norman about the situation, and used the words "They're screaming out for your blood, so consider yourself severely reprimanded. Now, you got any tickets for the hockey today?" Social life Patching was a long-time resident of Point Lonsdale, Victoria, where his parents had lived and Patching grew up. One of Patching's last official engagements in Geelong was his attendance at the Geelong Guild Athletic Club's Centenary Dinner in July 2008. Patching spoke at the dinner and along with fellow club Life Member, Mrs Patricia Agg, cut the club's centenary birthday cake. References External links The Olympians' Olympian, Obituary in The Sydney Morning Herald, Page 16, 23 February 2009. 1917 births 2009 deaths Athletics in Australia Australian sports executives and administrators Australian Olympic Committee administrators Officers of the Order of Australia Australian Officers of the Order of the British Empire Athletics (track and field) administrators Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductees