With the passing of Neale Daniher, we all grieve for a great Australian.
On behalf of the Government and the people of Australia, I offer our heartfelt condolences to the Daniher family: his wife Jan; children Bec, Ben, Lauren and Luke; and his many grandchildren and wider family, who did so much to support the man they loved so deeply.
In 2013, after a decorated VFL/AFL career as a player and then coach, Neale Daniher was diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
At that point, the average life expectancy was just 27 months.
Instead, through 13 years, Neale fought what he called 'the Beast' with a courage, optimism and passion that brought hope and inspiration into the lives of everyone affected by MND.
The devastating impacts of MND stole so much from Neale, but he held onto everything that people loved and admired about him: his selflessness, his bravery, his humour, his ability to look on the bright side and his fierce determination to make a difference for others.
It was a profound honour to present Neale the Australian of the Year Award in 2025. I think it is safe to say that there has never been an award so unanimously agreed to by every single Australian on that night.
Richly deserved recognition that Neale embraced, not as an accolade but as a platform, a way to continue his advocacy for a cure.
Neale Daniher's remarkable legacy lives all around us.
The difference he made can be measured in the national awareness and the tens of millions of dollars that he and FightMND have raised to research a cure.
It can be counted in the tens of thousands of Big Freeze beanies that will fill the MCG on the King's Birthday weekend.
Above all, it will be carried in the hearts of everyone who found new strength and new hope in their fight because of the extraordinary example that Neale set.
May this wonderful man rest in eternal peace.
