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 byFred Chaney Sr.
Succeeded byJohn England
Mayor of Alice Springs
In office
1 July 1971 – 8 December 1973
Preceded byoffice established
Succeeded byBrian Martin
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Northern Territory
In office
10 December 1949 – 31 October 1966
Preceded byAdair Blain
Succeeded bySam Calder
Personal details
Born
John Norman Nelson

(1908-05-28)28 May 1908
Bundaberg, Queensland
Died20 June 1991(1991-06-20) (aged 83)
Alice Springs, Northern Territory
NationalityAustralian
Political partyLabor
SpouseMargaret Caroline Nelson (nee Bloomfield)
ChildrenPatrica Barber, Louanne Rosewarne
OccupationPastoralist

See also

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References

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  1. ^ John Norman “Jock” Nelson Archived 2 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Northern Territory Government - Administrators. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
  2. ^ penelope.bergen (17 March 2014). "First Council 1971-1974". www.alicesprings.nt.gov.au. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  3. ^ Carr, Adam (2008). "Australian Election Archive". Psephos, Adam Carr's Election Archive. Archived from the original on 17 July 2007. Retrieved 9 November 2008.
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Member for Northern Territory
1949–1966
Succeeded by
Government offices
Preceded by Administrator of the Northern Territory
1973–1975
Succeeded by