By LIAM DURKIN NEALE Daniher AO was farewelled from this life last Wednesday. He was 65. Daniher was rightfully given a state funeral, in recognition of his extraordinary philanthropy. Through FightMND, he helped raise more than $115 million toward medical research to help find a cure for motor neuron disease – the very disease that befell him. Fittingly, his state funeral was held at the MCG. Daniher was a star footballer for Essendon, and revered coach at Melbourne before his health took a fatal turn. He captained Essendon and coached Melbourne for 10 years. Demon players David Neitz and Paul Hopgood shared some lighter moments from their time having Daniher as their strict, no-nonsense coach. That approach extended to local football, as Daniher’s son and former Moe footballer Ben said during his tribute. “I played my first game back in local footy after lockdowns and admittedly I wasn’t in the best shape,” referring to his time with Moe in 2022. “As always, I went over to dad’s place the next day and we started talking about the game. Straight away he asked ‘how much you weighing in at these days?’ I said ‘yeah look, tough lockdown, but I’m an inside midfielder now, bit of a Patty Cripps build’. “I could see him grinning as he typed out his response. He said ‘well you’re not Crippa, and Crippa’s not fat’.” The younger Daniher must have heeded the message, as improved fitness saw him selected in Moe’s most recent team of the decade. “My father meant everything to me, the way he lived his life, showed me how I wanted to live mine,” he said during his tribute. “He taught me the things that matter, and the things that don’t.” Ben was joined by siblings Loz, Luke, Bec, their mother Jan and Neale’s brother Anthony in leading tributes to a truly great Australian. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan also spoke. Australian music icon Paul Kelly performed the famous footy anthem Leaps and Bounds. Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan, whom Daniher gave his first coaching job, rounded out the service. Fagan said his enduring memory from the Lions’ 2024 AFL premiership was the goal kicked by Neale’s nephew Joe Daniher in the game’s final moments. After the service, patrons formed a guard of honour outside the MCG, with the motorcade (appropriately) journeying down Daniher’s Way. Solemn: Flags fly at half-mast outside Latrobe City Council’s Moe Library last Wednesday for Neale Daniher.Vale: Neale Daniher left an indelible mark on Australian society. Photograph: Liam DurkinStand: Australia’s Governor General Sam Mostyn, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Victorian Governor-General Margaret Elaine Gardner and Premier Jacinta Allan applaud as Neale Daniher is taken through his guard of honour. Photograph: Liam Durkin

Founded in 2014, FightMND was established with the purpose of finding effective treatments and ultimately a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.

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By LIAM DURKIN NEALE Daniher AO was farewelled from this life last Wednesday. He was 65. Daniher was rightfully given a state funeral, in recognition of his extraordinary philanthropy. Through FightMND, he helped raise more than $115 million toward medical research to help find a cure for motor neuron disease – the very disease that befell him. Fittingly, his state funeral was held at the MCG. Daniher was a star footballer for Essendon, and revered coach at Melbourne before his health took a fatal turn. He captained Essendon and coached Melbourne for 10 years. Demon players David Neitz and Paul Hopgood shared some lighter moments from their time having Daniher as their strict, no-nonsense coach. That approach extended to local football, as Daniher’s son and former Moe footballer Ben said during his tribute. “I played my first game back in local footy after lockdowns and admittedly I wasn’t in the best shape,” referring to his time with Moe in 2022. “As always, I went over to dad’s place the next day and we started talking about the game. Straight away he asked ‘how much you weighing in at these days?’ I said ‘yeah look, tough lockdown, but I’m an inside midfielder now, bit of a Patty Cripps build’. “I could see him grinning as he typed out his response. He said ‘well you’re not Crippa, and Crippa’s not fat’.” The younger Daniher must have heeded the message, as improved fitness saw him selected in Moe’s most recent team of the decade. “My father meant everything to me, the way he lived his life, showed me how I wanted to live mine,” he said during his tribute. “He taught me the things that matter, and the things that don’t.” Ben was joined by siblings Loz, Luke, Bec, their mother Jan and Neale’s brother Anthony in leading tributes to a truly great Australian. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan also spoke. Australian music icon Paul Kelly performed the famous footy anthem Leaps and Bounds. Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan, whom Daniher gave his first coaching job, rounded out the service. Fagan said his enduring memory from the Lions’ 2024 AFL premiership was the goal kicked by Neale’s nephew Joe Daniher in the game’s final moments. After the service, patrons formed a guard of honour outside the MCG, with the motorcade (appropriately) journeying down Daniher’s Way. Solemn: Flags fly at half-mast outside Latrobe City Council’s Moe Library last Wednesday for Neale Daniher.Vale: Neale Daniher left an indelible mark on Australian society. Photograph: Liam DurkinStand: Australia’s Governor General Sam Mostyn, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Victorian Governor-General Margaret Elaine Gardner and Premier Jacinta Allan applaud as Neale Daniher is taken through his guard of honour. Photograph: Liam Durkin

Victorian MPs from both government and opposition participated in the second annual Parliamentary Big Freeze, raising funds for FightMND in memory of Neale Daniher.

State government and opposition MPs take the plunge to raise tens of thousands of dollars for motor neurone disease research just days after Neale Daniher's state funeral.

Quentin and Kylie Birt say they were inspired to donate at the Big Freeze event after reading Neale Daniher's book.

Quentin and Kylie Birt have donated $40 million to FightMND and over $100 million in total to various charities, despite their desire to remain low-profile and avoid the 'philanthropist' label.

Quentin and Kylie Birt say they were inspired to donate at the Big Freeze event after reading Neale Daniher's book. 

We’re so excited to bring back Big Freeze for its 12th consecutive year. Find out all the details here.

JOLIMONT/MCG, MELBOURNE. — A State Funeral Service to honour the life of Neale Daniher AO will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday, June 10, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Two days after 88,019 people attended the Big Freeze game Daniher created, another large crowd has gathered at the MCG to say their final farewell to the legendary football figure, FightMND campaigner and 2025 Australian of the Year.

Birts quadruple - Quentin and Kylie Birt quadrupled a $10m FightMND pledge to $40m after being moved by the sea of blue beanies and tributes to Neale Stay updated with the latest global news from MISRYOUM.