He might claim he was a better administrator than he was a footballer, but across the sporting ovals, committees and accounting firms of Kyabram, Peter Nelson has left a lasting mark.

“Some people elect not to do anything, that’s fine. But somebody has to have a bit of a crack on behalf of people,” he said.

Born in 1947 to Eric and Margaret, Peter grew up alongside his brother Max in Kyabram.

He attended St Augustine’s College in Kyabram and St Joseph’s in Echuca.

In 1965, Peter stepped into the workforce at Morrison & Sawers Lawyers, initially working on tax returns before deciding he would become an accountant himself.

Over his accounting career, he became a partner in the accounting division at Morrison & Sawers Lawyers.

He later moved to Dawes & Vary where he also became partner in its accounting division, before taking up his current role as a partner at Sheridan Partners in 2007.

He credits strong mentors and community-minded individuals from his early years with setting him on a pathway towards community involvement.

While Peter played football for Kyabram under-17s in 1964, then in 1965 was a “handy reserves player”, his contribution to the club soon extended well beyond the football field.

“I was probably a better football administrator than I was a footballer,” he said.

His off-field dedication to sport, particularly the Kyabram Football Netball Club, where he was awarded life membership, spans decades across multiple roles.

He also spent eight years umpiring with the Goulburn Valley Umpires Association and later became involved with the AFL’s country football administration, as the AFL Goulburn Murray commissioner from 2012 to 2021.

For the Nelson family, football has always been a shared passion.

Peter and wife Judy, who married in 1981, have two sons, Sam and Tim, both of whom played football in Kyabram.

Away from football, Peter has found plenty of other ways to contribute.

He was a member of the Kyabram Fire Brigade, played tennis and water skied, but his community involvement has centred on organisations and committees working to improve Kyabram.

Peter has been involved with the Kyabram Development Committee for about 20 years, serving as treasurer for most of that time.

He was also an early director of the Kyabram Credit Union, now Goulburn Murray Credit Union, he remains a strong advocate for improvements to the Kyabram Recreation Reserve and his involvement with the Kyabram Club has also spanned decades.

In 2012, Peter took on another role, which he considers one of his more meaningful contributions, when Banksia Financial Group collapsed.

His long record of service to sport and society in Kyabram stems from a simple philosophy.

“If you want something to happen, turn up and support it; otherwise it won’t happen,” he said.

“My involvement is just to try to make sure that Kyabram is hopefully a better place to be.”

Peter will be honoured at a tribute night this weekend.

The function is at the Kyabram Club and tickets can be obtained from Kyabram Football Club president John Guinan (phone 0418 324 020) by tonight.

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Monday, 1st May 2034

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