Eric Neal

Updated on Sep 27, 2024

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Monarch Elizabeth II Preceded by Dame Roma Mitchell		Name Eric Neal

Premier Dean Brown (1996)John Olsen (1996-2001) Succeeded by Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Preceded by Doug Sutherlandas Lord Mayor Succeeded by Jeremy Binghamas Lord Mayor

Sir eric neal

Sir Eric James Neal AC CVO FTSE HonFAIB (born 24 June 1924) is a retired Australian businessman and public officer. He is a former Governor of South Australia (1996-2001), Commissioner of Sydney (1987-1988) and Chancellor of Flinders University (2002-2010).

Sir Eric Neal - The Investigator Transformed

Career

Neal trained as an engineer at the South Australian School of Mines (now part of the University of South Australia), and became a successful businessman. The peak of his career was fourteen years as CEO of Boral. He was also a Director of John Fairfax Holdings, BHP, Coca-Cola Amatil and AMP Limited and Chairperson of Westpac and Atlas Copco Australia Pty Ltd.

In 1984, Neal was listed as one of Australia's 125 best remunerated business executives by Australian Business magazine. In 1992, journalist Andrew Cornell described him as a "tough, frequently autocratic businessman." Not withstanding, he oversaw 14 years of consecutive and rising profits for shareholders and history has shown that his views and decisions made whilst on the Westpac Board were correct.

He has chaired various government advisory bodies and served as National Chairman, Duke of Edinburgh's Award (1984–92), President of the Order of Australia Association (1989–92), Chair of the Opera Foundation (1990–96). He was Chief Commissioner of the City of Sydney (1987-88) and a member of the Senate of the University of Sydney.

Neal was appointed Governor of South Australia in 1996, and became the first person from the business community to take up residence in Government House in Adelaide. He held the position until 2001, after which he served as Chancellor of Flinders University from 2002 until 2010.

Defence sector

Neal is a former Honorary Air Commodore of the City of Adelaide Squadron of the RAAF and Honorary Colonel of the Royal South Australia Regiment. He is also an Honorary life member of the Returned and Services League of Australia.

In 1981, Sir Eric was appointed to a committee tasked with reviewing Australia’s Higher Defence Organisation. In 1992 he was awarded the United States Department of Defence Medal for Distinguished Public Service for his contribution in Chairing the Council that organised Australian events commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea.

In 2009 he commenced his final role in public office, serving as Chair of the Veterans Advisory Council in South Australia. This culminated in the opening of the Memorial Walk in Kintore Avenue. Neal retired from the position in 2016, concluding 76 years in private and public sector employment.

Honours

He is a Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

He is one of only nine Honorary Fellows of the Australian Institute of Building

The Sir Eric Neal Library at the University of South Australia was opened in his honour in 2001.

Flinders University named its Engineering Building after him.

On 17 April 2007, Sir Eric Neal accepted the offer of the Adelaide University Soccer Club Blacks invitation to become the club's patron.

First Principal Patron of the Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men's Health at the University of Adelaide.

Honorary doctorates from the University of Sydney, University of South Australia (1996) and Flinders University.

Patron of the Port Adelaide Football Club (Port Power).

Gold Distinguished Service Medal, Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, Australia (2016)

Personal life

Neal married Joan Bowden in 1949 and their first son was born in 1951 in Broken Hill. A second son was born in 1963 in Ballarat.

References

Eric Neal Wikipedia

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