Sir Eric Neal was born in London and arrived in South Australia at the age of two. He was educated in Adelaide and did tertiary studies at the South Australian School of Mines and Industries, now absorbed into the University of South Australia. He holds professional engineering qualifications in both Australia and the United Kingdom, and Honorary Doctorates from the Universities of Sydney, of South Australia and Flinders.

He worked in the gas industry in Broken Hill and in Ballarat until 1963 when he joined Boral Ltd. After managing Boral Gas Ltd, he served for 14 years from 1973 as Chief Executive Officer then Managing Director of Boral LTD and a Director of its subsidiaries in Australia, the United States, United Kingdom and Pacific Islands.

Sir Eric has served on many Corporate Boards of Directors, and upon Government Advisory Bodies on Defence, Prices and Incomes, Water Resources and the Sugar Industry. He was Chief Commissioner of the City of Sydney in 1987-8.

Sir Eric was National Chairman of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme in Australia from 1984 to 1992 and an International Trustee of The International Award Association for 11 years until 1997.

He was Chairman of the Organising Committee of The Duke of Edinburgh's Sixth Commonwealth Study Conference held in 1986, and has served as Chairman of organizations supporting the arts and educating youth at risk.

Sir Eric served as Governor of South Australia from 1996 until 2001. His community service following retirement from that role includes his appointment as Chancellor of the Flinders University of South Australia from March 1, 2002 and as Chairman of the SA Government Road Safety Advisory Council from February 2003.

Sir Eric played soccer for Adelaide University 1946 to 1949, but his interests moved to horseracing, sailing and motorboating.

Sir Eric and Lady Neal have two adult sons, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.

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