The library of the Mawson Lakes campus of the University of South Australia will be
officially named the Sir Eric Neal Library in a ceremony at the library on Tuesday 10
April at 3pm. It will be the first library in Australia to be named after a State
Governor.
His Excellency the Governor Sir Eric Neal, accompanied by Lady Neal, will attend the
ceremony. UniSA Chancellor Mr David Klingberg and UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor Denise
Bradley will also be present.
Sir Eric was awarded an honorary doctorate from UniSA in October 1996 in recognition of
distinction in public service.
The library will house a new Sir Eric Neal Collection, a consolidated record of the
distinguished contribution by Sir Eric to Australian business and society and to the South
Australian community. The collection will include photographs, books, papers, memorabilia
and other items or works which Sir Eric and his family donate or lend to the University,
including Sir Eric’s father's collection of rare engineering books, some dating back
to the 1860s.
Sir Eric and Professor Bradley will sign a memorandum of understanding to establish the
collection.
UniSA is pleased to be able to honour one of the State’s most eminent sons. Sir
Eric, an engineering graduate of the SA School of Mines, an antecedent institution of the
University, served as Chief Executive Officer of Boral from 1973 to 1987 and held a number
of directorships, including of John Fairfax Ltd, BHP, Cocacola Amatil, and AMP. He also
served as chairperson of Westpac and Atlas Copco (Aus). Sir Eric was chief commissioner of
the City of Sydney from 1987 to 1988 and was appointed Governor of South Australia in
1996.
For further information: Dr Alan Bundy,
University Librarian, (08) 8302 6260
