16 Facts About Eric Neal

Sir Eric James Neal was born on 3 June 1924 and is an Australian retired academic administrator, banker, and manufacturing executive.

Eric Neal is a former Commissioner of Sydney, Governor of South Australia and Chancellor of Flinders University.

Eric Neal was a Director of John Fairfax Holdings, BHP, Coca-Cola Amatil and AMP and Chairperson of Westpac and Atlas Copco Australia.

In 1984, Eric Neal was listed as one of Australia's 125 best remunerated business executives by Australian Business magazine.

Eric Neal has chaired various government advisory bodies and served as National Chairman, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, President of the Order of Australia Association, Chair of the Opera Foundation.

Eric Neal was Chief Commissioner of the City of Sydney and a member of the Senate of the University of Sydney.

Eric 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, Adelaide.

Eric Neal held the position until 2001, after which he served as Chancellor of Flinders University from 2002 until 2010.

Eric Neal is a former Honorary Air Commodore of the City of Adelaide Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force and Honorary Colonel of the Royal South Australia Regiment.

In 1981, Eric Neal was appointed to a committee tasked with reviewing Australia's Higher Defence Organisation.

In 2009, Eric Neal commenced his final role in public office, serving as Chair of the Veterans Advisory Council in South Australia.

Eric Neal retired from the position in 2016, concluding 76 years in private and public sector employment.

Eric Neal was born in London, England and migrated with his family to Adelaide in February 1927.

Eric Neal became engaged to Joan Bowden in 1949, they were married at St Peter's Church, Glenelg in 1950 and their first son was born in 1951 in Broken Hill.

Lady Thelma 'Joan' Eric Neal AM DstJ died in Adelaide on 28 February 2023.

Eric Neal played football with the Adelaide University Soccer Club from 1946 to 1949 and eventually became the club's patron.