Roy Nelson Reserve
This small urban park in Pito-one is also labelled the Aurora Street Reserve.
The small cottage was used by Roy Nelson (1897 – 1988) and the house and land was donated to the Petone Borough Council on his death with the house to be used by the Scout movement. The park is now maintained by the Hutt City Council but the cottage is used by the Girl Guides, mainly as storage. The cache owner met Roy Nelson in the late 1980s as a fellow environmentalist interested in looking after the local scene. He was a delightful old gentleman. He never married.
Roy was born Royal Cullen Gjelson, and it is not recorded when the surname was changed to Nelson. He had a lifelong involvement in Scouting.
Then in the late 1920s, Val Sanderson the founder of the New Zealand Forest and Bird Society (started in 1923) wrote to Scouting leader Roy Nelson, saying: “You will find the bird and forest work of great interest to the boys. It will be their work to look after them someday and we wish you every success.”
Thereafter he also had a deep involvement in Forest and Bird, becoming its President for 19 years from 1955. At his retirement in 1974 the Society recorded the following.
Though he wished for neither gift nor official farewell after his 19 years of outstanding service as President of the Society, Mr R. C. Nelson agreed to attend the luncheon which followed the annual meeting in June so that his friends could wish him well. One of Mr Nelson’s oldest friends, Mr Bernard Teague, of Wairoa, in most eloquent and forthright terms, outlined the remarkable contribution Mr Nelson has made both during his term as President and earlier as an enthusiastic member, Councillor, and Executive member.
Mr Teague said: “I regard Mr Roy Nelson as one of the greatest patriots in this country’s history. This man has given his life, his substance, and in fact his all in the name of this country’s lovely natural environment. His dedication and tenacity of purpose to preserve its flora and fauna are something every citizen should be proud of. And over the years Roy has steadfastly refused to accept any honour. What is more he has recommended others instead. His purity of motive is something unique in my experience.
“I know others more able than I wanted to honour Mr Nelson, but have been constrained by his insistence that no official farewell should be given him. I know plans were made to do this occasion justice, but these were abandoned at Roy’s insistence. However, I felt someone should take the initiative and speak. Roy Nelson has been a great inspiration, a great Scout, and a great and loyal friend. His gentlemanly approach and conduct have won him the respect of Prime Ministers, Ministers, departmental heads, and many other people in the important walks of life.
“I know that you will join with me in wishing him a long and enjoyable retirement from the pressures of President. I am delighted to know that he has agreed to continue to help in various ways,” concluded Mr Teague.
He was also the chairman of the New Zealand section of the International Council for Bird Protection (now called Birds International) from 1960 to at least 1974.
Photo from Forest and Bird, Issue 147, 1 February 1963, Page 21
From Adventure Unlimited [A history of 100 years of NZ Scouting, 2012]. p 347
A plaque on the Nelson Lounge at Brookfield [Scout Camp, Wainuiomata], remembers the life of Roy Nelson and his brother Harold. Royal Cullen Nelson, better known by his Scout name “Maire”, made Brookfield his second home, originally building a corrugated iron whare on the site. He was a very long serving and respected Scouting identity in the Wellington Area, joining the Movement in 1909 when he bought his first uniform by mail order from Strange and Co. Ltd. in Christchurch. Maire formed his own Patrol and then became a Lone Scout before being Warranted in various positions, finally becoming Chief Warden at Brookfield, serving Scouting in all for just over 80 years.
The whare, now in place of the old one, was his home at 11 Aurora St in Petone and was shifted onto the site and renovated voluntarily by Fletcher Construction apprentices with funds from Maire’s Bequest and stands as a memorial to that great respected Scouter.
There is a bronze plaque on the building at Brookfield. Pictures on p 347 of Roy Nelson, the plaque, and Lounge building. And of a plaque for him as first Chief Warden at Brookfield.