Neal McCusker

Neal McCusker CBE (20 October 1907 – 27 July 1987),[1] often misspelled "Neil", was Commissioner of Railways in New South Wales 1956–1972.

History

McCusker was born in Marrickville, Sydney,[1] the only child of John Robert McCusker (c. 1850 – 11 October 1947)[2] and his wife Emma McCusker, née Bird (c. 1868 – 13 October 1942),[3] who married at Cootamundra on 7 November 1906.[4]

He was educated at the Byrock public school, gaining QCs (Qualifying Certificates) in 1918[5] and 1919,[6] then entered Dubbo High School where in 1922 he passed the Intermediate Certificate[7] 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,[8] in which year his son was promoted to Relieving Stationmaster at Byrock.[9]

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.[10][11]

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.[12]

Conversion to diesel

The decision to switch from steam to diesel locomotives was made in 1956 and entirely implemented during McCusker's reign as Commissioner. Within ten years all of the Department of Railways New South Wales's main lines had been given over to diesel traction and facilities for steam working were retained on only a few lines: Gosford–Newcastle and Sydney–Goulburn and a few Dubbo branch lines, while the fleet of 1,164 steam locomotives in 1956 was down to 431 in 1966.[13]

Recognition

  • McCusker was made Honorary Colonel of the Australian Engineer and Railway Staff Corps on 27 February 1957.[14]
  • He was made a CBE in 1959.[15]
  • In 1975 he was appointed chairman of the NSW Travel Agents' Registration Board.[16]

Family

McCusker married Mary Irene Magick on 9 November 1932.[17]

References

  1. ^ a b Craig Mackey (2012). Australian Dictionary of Biography 'McCusker, Neal (1907–1987). National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Family Notices". Sydney Morning Herald. No. 34, 261. New South Wales, Australia. 13 October 1947. p. 16. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Mrs Emma McCusker". The Northern Star. Vol. 67. New South Wales, Australia. 15 October 1942. p. 4. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Wedding". Cootamundra Herald. Vol. XXX, no. 90. New South Wales, Australia. 10 November 1906. p. 2. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia. McCusker here misspelled McClusker
  5. ^ "Qualifying Certificate". Western Herald (Bourke). Vol. LXI, no. 38. Bourke, Australia. 12 February 1919. p. 3. Retrieved 11 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Qualifying Certificate". Barrier Miner. Vol. XXXII, no. 9795. New South Wales, Australia. 29 January 1920. p. 1. Retrieved 11 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "The Intermediate". The National Advocate. New South Wales, Australia. 20 February 1923. p. 2. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "Merit Rewarded". Western Herald (Bourke). No. 983. Bourke, Australia. 18 August 1928. p. 2. Retrieved 11 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "Advancement". Western Herald (Bourke). No. 1008. Bourke, Australia. 14 November 1928. p. 2. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "Final Exams". The Sun (Sydney). No. 7479. Sydney, Australia. 19 December 1933. p. 19. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "Tax Test". The Sun (Sydney). No. 7934. New South Wales, Australia. 7 June 1935. p. 14. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "Top Railway Appointment Unpopular". The Armidale Express & New England General Advertiser. No. 4416. Armidale, Australia. 15 December 1954. p. 1. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "Dieselisation". Western Herald (Bourke). New South Wales, Australia. 16 September 1966. p. 10. Retrieved 11 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ^ "Australian Military Forces". Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. No. 25. Australia, Australia. 9 May 1957. p. 1352. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ^ "12 Australian Knights in Birthday Honours". The Canberra Times. Vol. 33, no. 9, 315. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 13 June 1959. p. 1. Retrieved 11 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. ^ "Travel Agents Registration Board". Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales. No. 47. New South Wales, Australia. 2 April 1976. p. 1471. Retrieved 11 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. ^ "About Mudgee People". Mudgee Guardian & North-western Representative. New South Wales, Australia. 14 November 1932. p. 1. Retrieved 11 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.