The astute observer may notice something unusual outside 52 Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross. Council’s London Plane tree is encrusted with a chain and medallions in honour of past members of a local social bikie’s club. The club was founded by “Animal” Randall Nelson (1938-2014) who gave out free Christmas presents to children in hospital every year as part of the club’s Christmas run.

The club always paraded around town in their sequined Santa hats and tinsel-clad bikes making as much commotion as possible to highlight their cause.

Animal never knew his parents and never had children of his own, so he adopted everyone else’s.

He was awarded his OAM for charity works. The usual protocol for the Queens’ awards is to wear the gold pin and then the full medal and ribbon at official functions in the presence of the Governor or the Queen herself.

But Animal never took his award off his rough leather jacket. He wore his full medallion with blue and gold ribbon proudly continually everywhere in the street and when enjoying a club meeting at the nearby coffee shop outside 52 Darlinghurst Road where the club’s chain and commemorative shield now hang; a silent sentinel to the capability for good in our society.

When queried about the apparent protocol breach he brusquely replied, “Dame Marie (the NSW Governor) and I have a ‘thing’”.

And they did.

At his funeral she declared she ‘envied’ Animal, a man who over four decades helped countless charities and individuals in need.

“I was the proudest person in the world to have my photograph taken alongside him on his motorbike,” Dame Marie said at the time. “It still sits on my desk in Governor House.”

“Animal was a friend, and no matter what status you held in society he treated everyone equally. He had an innate, incredible kindness and had the well-being of sick children in his mind.”

His funeral at the Wayside Chapel nearby was attended by hundreds and with a colourful street parade through Kings Cross to the tree wear his Santa hat and the club chain and medallion now hang.

Read more about Animal’s heroic exploits here:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2774496/Inside-real-Santa-s-inner-city-workshop-biker-called-Animal-packed-wrapped-Christmas-presents-Sydney-s-sick-underprivileged-two-decades-just-left-ride-hospital.html

By Andrew Woodhouse

Heritage Solutions