Ian Grant

It is with sadness that we advise the recent passing of our former Qantas colleague, Ian C. F. Grant.

Ian was a doyen of Qantas and one of its longest serving employees with well over 40 years continuous service. Whilst he joined in Sydney and became one the Company’s youngest Traffic Officers, he will be best remembered by the majority of us for his time in various senior Traffic and Cargo roles at Perth Airport, and as Manager Western Australia for a period of time.

Interestingly, Ian also worked for 'Qantas Empire Airways' in Cocos Islands during the 1950s, in the hey-day of QEA's Perth-Cocos-Mauritius-Johannesburg Super Constellation services.

Ian was a quiet achiever with a sound business sense and splashes of absolutely brilliant initiatives. This was recognised by no less than former Chief Executive, John Menadue, who personally asked Ian to return to Sydney Airport in a senior role to overcome some challenges that existed there at the time. To do this Qantas had to make a special exemption to their own proscribed retirement age which Ian was just about to reach. Nevertheless, it was a wise decision as Ian’s unique abilities and personal actions overcame those challenges.

Ian had a passion for horses, reading, politics and until illness caught up with him recently, hardly ever missed regularly catching up with former colleagues. And naturally, Ian’s knowledge of QF history was second to none.

Ian’s funeral is to be held at 3 p.m. next Thursday, 21st February at Pinnaroo Cemetery, Pinnaroo for those who would personally like to say farewell.

Red Tailers everywhere will miss you, Ian.