Jock Nelson

John Norman Nelson (28 May 1908 – 20 June 1991) was an Australian politician. Born in Bundaberg, Queensland, he was the son of politician Harold Nelson.^[1] Jock Nelson was educated at state schools in Darwin before becoming a jackeroo and goldminer, and later a bore contractor at Alice Springs. After serving in the military from 1942 to 1945, he became a pastoralist. In 1949, he was elected to the Australian House of Representatives as the Labor member for Northern Territory, defeating the sitting independent, Adair Blain. At this time, the member for Northern Territory could only vote on matters relating to the Territory itself. In 1963, he was re-elected unopposed, the last occasion when a member was returned to the House of Representatives in this fashion. He retired in 1966, an occasion used by the Country Party to take the seat. Nelson returned to pastoralism and served as the first Mayor of Alice Springs (1971 - 1973) before he stepped down^[2] to become the Administrator of the Northern Territory (1973–1975) before his death in 1991.^[3] A local government building centre in Alice Springs is also named after him.

Jock Nelson
Administrator of the Northern Territory
In office 10 December 1973 – 12 November 1975
Preceded by	Fred Chaney Sr.
Succeeded by	John England
Mayor of Alice Springs
In office 1 July 1971 – 8 December 1973
Preceded by	office established
Succeeded by	Brian Martin
Member of the Australian Parliament for Northern Territory
In office 10 December 1949 – 31 October 1966
Preceded by	Adair Blain
Succeeded by	Sam Calder
Personal details
Born	John Norman Nelson (1908-05-28)28 May 1908 Bundaberg, Queensland
Died	20 June 1991(1991-06-20) (aged 83) Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Labor
Spouse	Margaret Caroline Nelson (nee Bloomfield)
Children	Patrica Barber, Louanne Rosewarne
Occupation	Pastoralist

Jock Nelson at Memorial Club. Alice Springs about 1960.

See also

• Darwin Rebellion