Woman Jackson-Nelson, Marjorie

AC, CVO, MBE

Occupation
Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist, Governor, Olympian and Track and field athlete

Written by Caitlin Stone, The University of Melbourne

Marjorie Jackson was born in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales in 1931. During her athletic career she won two Olympic and seven Commonwealth Games gold medals and every Australian State and National title she contested from 1950-1954. In 1995 she was honoured as a Legend of Austrlaian Sports in the Sports Australia Hall of Fame. In 2001, she became the Governor of South Australia, a position she left in 2007.

A key to her success was a positve attitude and a preparedness to take risks. 'I'm a possibility thinker,' she said of her self in the early 1980s. 'I believe the solution of every problem is there if you look for it. I'd rather attempt something great and fail than succeed at less. (Lofthouse)

Archival Resources

National Library of Australia Oral History Collection

  • Marjorie Jackson-Nelson interviewed by Nikki Henningham for the Sport oral history project, 2 February 2008, ORAL TRC 5900/18; National Library of Australia Oral History Collection. Details

Published Resources

Books

  • Lofthouse, Andrea, Who's Who of Australian Women, Methuen Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, 1982. Details

Online Resources