THE former principal of the Ellenbrook Independent Primary School at Woodlake, Dr Neil MacNeill, passed away last month.

A school spokesperson said Dr MacNeill was highly respected in the community and a natural leader who tirelessly helped the school achieve significant and sustained improvement in literacy and numeracy outcomes.

“Dr MacNeill dedicated more than 20 years of service to the school community, leading with passion, vision, and a deep commitment to student success,” they said.

“During his time at Ellenbrook Primary, Dr MacNeill had a profound impact on countless students, staff and families.

“His leadership helped shape the strong culture of learning and community spirit that continues to thrive in our school today.”

A former national serviceman, Dr MacNeill was called up to the Vietnam war in 1967 and served with distinction at the Battle of Coral Balmoral in South Vietnam.

A part organiser of the Vietnam Veterans’ Day each year at the Kings Park Memorial, Dr MacNeill was one of the founding members of the Ellenbrook RSL Sub-Branch and secretary for a time.

He was also the instigator of the combined Primary Schools’ Anzac and Remembrance Day services each year at Woodlake Memorial.

Mosman Park Primary School principal and former colleague Melinda Harris said he was an education champion.

“Dr MacNeill’s life was colourful and extraordinary and his education achievements may not actually capture just how wonderful he was in a classroom where it mattered.

“He always had time for each child and each teacher, and they knew it.

“Ellenbrook Primary School was Neil’s happy place for over two decades and the students, staff and families he touched will continue to be thankful for generations.

“At his heart, he was the epitome of a lifelong learner and those of us lucky enough to call him a friend and mentor could feel the army of protection and presence he provided whenever required.”

Long-term friend and colleague Dr Steffan Silcox said Dr MacNeill gave so much to everyone he knew through his companionship, his ongoing support and sage advice.

“My friendship with Dr MacNeill was forged over a 50-year association,” Dr Silcox said.

“He was, at once, the husband, the father, the educator, the visionary, the confidant, and the companion.

“He was a man of vision who understood the impact of true leadership in the school system and the power of the individual to bring about lasting change to achieve the better outcome for students.”

Another former colleague, Dr Ray Boyd from Dayton Primary School, said Dr MacNeill’s life was one of service, leadership and scholarship and he made an indelible mark on Western Australian education, from remote Aboriginal communities to metropolitan schools.

“Dr MacNeill began his teaching career in 1969 in Bremer Bay, laying the foundations for a career that spanned classroom teaching, research, district leadership and system-wide reform,” Dr Boyd said.

“It was as principal of Roebourne Primary School in the Pilbara that Dr MacNeill first experienced the learning gap faced by Aboriginal children in remote communities.

“This spurred him on to help improve the outcomes for disadvantaged children, while also championing the involvement of Aboriginal parents in schooling and the use of Aboriginal liaison officers.”

Dr MacNeill’s academic achievements included a PhD at Curtin University (where he was also awarded the Walter D Neal Award for Excellence in Research in 2007), followed by a Doctor of Education in 2013.

He also held masters’ degrees from the University of Queensland and RMIT and published more than 160 articles on education and leadership nationally.

Internationally, he was a reviewer for Corwin Press, and in 2021 co-authored Leading School Renewal with Dr Steffan Silcox for Routledge Press.

The Ellenbrook RSL Sub-Branch will hold a Commemorative Service (Vale) and acknowledgement of Dr MacNeill at this year’s Combined Primary Schools’ Remembrance Day Service on November 11 at 10.30am at the Woodlake Memorial Amphitheatre, Ellenbrook. All are welcome.

Dr MacNeill is survived by his wife Marie and children Janeille, Kristine and Cameron.