Neil McNeill

Neil McNeill (19 June 1921 – 8 February 2009) was an Australian politician. He was a member of the Liberal Party and served in the House of Representatives from 1961 to 1963, representing the seat of Canning. He later served in the Western Australian Legislative Council from 1965 to 1983 and was a state government minister from 1974 to 1977. He was a farmer and agricultural officer before entering politics and also served in the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve during World War II.

Early life McNeill was born on 19 June 1921 in Yarloop, Western Australia. He attended state schools in Pithara and Waroona before completing his secondary education at Scotch College, Perth. After leaving school he enrolled at the University of Western Australia to study agriculture, but deferred his studies to enlist in the military and later graduating Bachelor of Science in 1947.

McNeill enlisted in the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1942, with the rank of able seaman. He was later engaged as a naval liaison officer and beachmaster at the Army Amphibious Training Centre in Darwin, prior to his discharge in 1945.

McNeill was employed as an adviser with the state Department of Agriculture from 1947 to 1948, then returned to his family farm at Hamel which he acquired outright in 1951. He served as president of the Waroona branch of the Farmers' Union of Western Australia from 1952 to 1959 and was active in the Junior Farmers' Movement. He retired from parliament at the 1983 state election.

Personal life McNeill retired to Cottesloe. He died in Claremont on 8 February 2009 and was interred at Drakesbrook Cemetery in Waroona.