25 June 2002
SA governor back to Unley by Darrol Foote

South Australian Governor, Mrs Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, A.O., M.B.E., took time away from her busy shedule to attend a meeting at the Rotary Club of Unley, S.A., where she was recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow in 1995. Marjorie Jackson-Nelson became associated with the Unley club in 1962 when her husband, Peter Nelson, a former Olympic cyclist, became a member.

Peter's main interest was youth work and he played an important role with Rotaract at District level. Following his death in 1977 from leukemia, Marjorie was determined to secure funds for research into leukemia. She approached the Rotary Club of Unley for help. A steering committee was formed but the project soon became too much for one club to handle and District assistance was sought.

An appeal committee for the Rotary District 250 Peter Nelson Leukemia Research Fellowship was formed and the appeal was launched by Marjorie Jackson-Nelson in August, 1977. She has dedicated herself since to raising funds to sponsor research into leukemia, combining this with her more public duties as South Australian Governor.

Marjorie Jackson-Nelson became known internationally for her athletic achievements as The Lithgow Flash. She won gold medals for sprinting at both the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, holding several world records. At Unley she renewed acquaintances (see photograph below) with long-serving Rotarians. The club preseneted Marjorie Jackson-Nelson with a cheque for A$3,000 for the Peter Nelson Leukemia Research Fellowship.

Pictured with Her Excellency (in blue suit) are (back row) Unley club members David Payne, Ray Emmett, Pres. Geoff Hill and Ken Daly and (front row) Rotarians' partners Margaret Payne, Pauline Daly, Fay Emmett and Pat Limbert.

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