Vale Neill Decker OAM

Diabetes Victoria offers condolences

We’re sad to learn about the recent passing of an innovator in diabetes care in Australia and internationally: Neill Decker OAM.

Neill Decker’s tremendous contribution to the diabetes community began during his many years as a community pharmacist in Melbourne, where he led the way in bringing diabetes self-management devices into common use.

Thank you for your contributions

Ahead of his time, he invented an insulin self-injector, the Decker

Injector, making self-administering insulin less distressing for those with phobias.

Neill changed the lives of many people through the distribution of insulin to those who could not otherwise afford or access treatment. His selfless and dedicated work was a milestone in the early history of diabetes care in Australia.
Neill served as Diabetes Victoria’s first Company Secretary before becoming our President from 1973 to 1981. He was Vice President of the International Diabetes Federation, a Board Member of Diabetes Australia, and the longstanding Chair of the Kellion Diabetes Foundation.

Neill was presented with a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2007 for service to the welfare of people with diabetes, particularly as a contributor to the development of Diabetes Australia. Neill was also acknowledged with Diabetes Australia’s Outstanding Achievement Award in 2020.

Neill’s life was celebrated during a private funeral.

We are grateful for Neill’s lasting impact, and we extend our deepest sympathies and well wishes to Neill’s wife, Leslie, and to his family.

Media enquiries:
Britt Denton | bdenton@diabetesvic.org.au | 0488 133 316