[2] After early years in Queensland, where his father was chairman of the Ipswich Methodist District,[3] Nolan moved with his family to New South Wales.

[8] The new Manly Town Hall[9] and the Eric Andrew designed Surf Pavilion at South Steyne were also undertaken whilst he was mayor.

[11] For many years, Nolan pushed for the removal of the North Head Quarantine Station from Manly and called for its use as public open space.

[13] Just prior to his death on 3 June 1954 he received a certificate of merit from the Local Government Association of NSW for 25 years’ service to Manly Council.

As Mayor of Manly, Nolan wore the traditional black silk Geneva gown with purple velvet facings but believed he needed more ornamentation for the neck, so added a Jabot with seven cascades of lace foaming down from the collar.