THE ROTARY CLUB OF MELBOURNE
recognition of
Adrian C Nelson
as a
Paul Harris Fellow
The Paul Harris Fellow was established in 1957 in honour of Rotary’s founder and is combined with a US$1000 contribution in support of humanitarian and educational programs of The Rotary Foundation, funded, implemented and managed by Rotarians and Rotary Clubs around the globe. Foundation programs provide educational opportunities, food, potable water, health care, immunisation and shelter for millions of persons. It is the tradition of this Club that the naming of a Paul Harris Fellow is based upon the contribution of individual members and deserving members of the community who practice the Rotary motto - “Service above Self”.
Adrian Nelson joined Rotary Club of Melbourne on 24th October 2018 with the classification of Funeral Services. Adrian transferred from the Rotary Club of Glen Eira where he was inducted in 2003 and became President in 2005-06. At Glen Eira Adrian co-founded the inaugural Caulfield Racecourse Run, raising over $100,000 annually for local community organisations.
Adrian’s contribution to Rotary over the past 20 years is extensive and includes mentoring inbound Foundation Scholars, taking District 9800 leadership roles including leading a Group Study Exchange Team to the Netherlands District 1580 in 2007, serving as Director Vocational Service in 2008-10, Chairman of Group Study Exchange in 2010-11, Assistant Governor of the Heritage Cluster in 2012-13 and Assistant Governor of the Port Phillip Cluster in 2013-14. He was on the board of District 9800 as Director of Public Image & Communications from 2015 to 2017 and for his efforts received a District Service Award in 2012-13. He is a member of the Paul Harris Society.
Adrian was born in Melbourne and educated at Melbourne Grammar School and the University of Melbourne completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1992. He completed post-graduate studies in international relations and communications at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a law degree with honours at Bond University in 1995. He competed in three World Debating Championships in Melbourne, Princeton (USA), and Cork (Ireland). Following being admitted to practice law, Adrian joined global consulting firm Accenture as a management consultant, working on projects across Asia and in Australia, North America and Argentina.
In 2001, Adrian was invited to manage his family funeral business Nelson Bros Funeral Services, Victoria’s oldest family owned and operated funeral business established in 1858 with five funeral homes across Melbourne. He is the Chief Executive Officer.
Adrian and his wife Louise were married in England in 2001 and have two sons, Harry and Charles. As a family, the Nelsons are very active including in community sport and the arts, and are lifelong Bulldogs supporters.
Adrian is the Club’s 106th President and despite his busy business and family life Adrian accepted the leadership role when approached on the inability of then President Elect Bev Brock to take on the role little more than a month prior to the start of his term.
In his year as President, Adrian supported the establishment and success of several legacy Projects including the creation and fundraising of Peace Bells Project at the newly renamed Rotary Melbourne Peace Park. Adrian led a delegation of Club members to Osaka for its 100th celebrations connecting the Osaka and Melbourne Lord Mayors and beaming in via ZOOM for our AGM on that day from Osaka City Hall. Fellowship and connectedness were at the fore for Adrian’s Rotary leadership and to that end he drove fundraising for Rotary Rochester for flood relief, promotion of sport and the arts, volunteering opportunities and prominent speaker presentations with the highlight being the Angus Mitchell Oration by former Prime Minister John Howard. He launched our 5000 Acts of Kindness project at our club’s 5000th meeting.
Adrian was our President during the 2023 RI Convention in Melbourne with Melbourne Rotary as the host club. His performance as President during convention year was dynamic and inspiring, highlighted by an International Fellowship cocktail night at the Windsor involving clubs from all over the world and raising funds in support of the Peace Bells. He helped design the Rotary Melbourne Flower Bed that featured in St Kilda Road during this time. Adrian has led the club to have the most enviable social media which were spotlighted as the gold standard by RI.
He was a welcoming figure at the convention with his beaming smile, infectious laugh, firm handshake and coloured spectacles.
Adrian has served Rotary and the Club with distinction and in a commendable manner and we take pride in today recognising him as a Paul Harris Fellow.
Dr Chris Sotiropoulos, President
19 June 2024
