Release date: 02/09/25
It is with nice disappointment that we discovered right now of the dying of the thirty second Governor of South Australia, Sir Eric James Neal, AC, CVO, KStJ, FTSE.
He handed away peacefully aged 101, a exceptional life outlined by longevity, resilience, and contribution.
Reaching 101 years of age is an achievement that few attain.
Sir Eric Neal was born in Rotherhithe, London, to James and May Neal on the third of June 1924.
He was the oldest of 4 youngsters and had three youthful sisters: Enid, Gwenda and Yvonne, he got here to Australia as so many do: a really younger migrant aged simply two years previous.
Sir Eric was educated at Largs Bay and Hindmarsh Public Schools earlier than attending Thebarton Technical School.
He concluded his secondary education on the age of simply 16 to enter the workforce however subsequently superior his schooling by enterprise engineering research on the South Australian School of Mines.
Encouraged by his father James Neal, Sir Eric pursued an apprenticeship on the South Australian Gas Company. He discovered the commerce of plumbing and gasoline becoming there below an apprenticeship along with his father.
A profitable engineering profession led to a formidable enterprise profession together with as CEO of Boral for 14 years. He served as a board member of a number of firms together with BHP, Atlas CopCo, Westpac and John Fairfax Ltd.
In 1996, he turned the primary South Australian appointed Governor from a enterprise background. He introduced experience, expertise, connections and expertise to the function that nobody had earlier than.
His appointment was of nice profit to the state’s enterprise neighborhood, and he led a number of profitable commerce missions to Europe, Asia and the United States.
Following his retirement as Governor in 2001, Sir Eric was appointed as Chancellor of Flinders University till 2010. He was chair of the South Australian Government Road Safety Advisory Council between 2003 and 2011.
Sir Eric Neal’s final function in public workplace was to chair the Veterans Advisory Council in South Australia. He oversaw the opening of the ANZAC Centenary Memorial Walk on Kintore Avenue throughout this time.
For his many accomplishments, Sir Eric obtained quite a few honours and awards, together with a Knight Bachelor for his companies to business and a Companion of the Order of Australia for service to Commerce and to the Community.
Importantly not solely did he serve our state in an impressive method, but in addition his soccer membership. He was a passionate Port Adelaide supporter via his life and offered necessary assist to the membership via the years, together with serving as patron.
Speaking throughout his centenary celebrations, Sir Eric credited a lot of his longevity to his spouse of 72 years, Lady Thelma “Joan” Neal, his lifelong companion with whom he had two sons, and who handed away in 2023 aged 91.
As is customary for former Governors, the South Australian Government has made a proposal to the Neal Family for a State Funeral to honour his exceptional life and to honour the big contribution that he made to our State. I’m happy to advise that the household has accepted this supply.
Further particulars might be launched sooner or later.
As we mourn his passing and maintain his household and mates in our ideas, allow us to additionally acknowledge – and have fun – Sir Eric’s contribution to our state and our nation.
I move on my honest condolences to Sir Eric Neal’s son’s Peter and James, his 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, prolonged household and mates.
May he relaxation in peace.