Neal McCusker

Neal McCusker CBE (20 October 1907 – 27 July 1987), often misspelled "Neil", was Commissioner of Railways in New South Wales 1956–1972.

History McCusker was born in Marrickville, Sydney, and his wife Emma McCusker, née Bird (c. 1868 – 13 October 1942), who married at Cootamundra on 7 November 1906.

He was educated at the Byrock public school, gaining QCs (Qualifying Certificates) in 1918 and 1919, then entered Dubbo High School where in 1922 he passed the Intermediate Certificate and joined the New South Wales Government Railways. Like Reg Winsor, McCusker was born into a railway family — his father was stationmaster at Cobar in 1928, in which year his son was promoted to Relieving Stationmaster at Byrock.

He continued studying part-time, in 1933 passing Advanced Accounting, and in 1935 Federal Income Tax, both exams conducted by the Commonwealth Institute of Accountants.

In 1954, while Winsor was taking three months' sick leave, State Cabinet appointed McCusker to act in his place as commissioner of the Department of Railways New South Wales, over two more senior officers: William Arthur Anderson (Secretary for Railways) and Allan James McAndrew (Assistant Secretary). This breach of public service norms was widely resented. McCusker died of heart failure at 79 years old. He was cremated.

Recognition McCusker was made Honorary Colonel of the Australian Engineer and Railway Staff Corps on 27 February 1957. He was made a CBE in 1959. In 1975 he was appointed chairman of the NSW Travel Agents' Registration Board.

Family McCusker married Mary Irene Magick on 9 November 1932. The couple had three children, two daughters and a son who died in infancy.