I went on the Daniher drive one year because my workplace was a major sponsor and I was the obvious choice.

The love for him from family, ex Essendon team mates and the Dees players he coached was overwheming.

He was a great person before he was confronted by the beast and now legendary for his work fighting it

https://www.facebook.com/abcmelbourne/videos/1338825013777206/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

 

https://www.facebook.com/katrina.oxley.96/videos/1099088188683760/

 

❤️💙

Congratulations to Neale Daniher on such a great well deserved honour. What a great man, and a great family. Special congratulations to Jan Daniher for been such a great lady. 

Neale was the standout. Thoroughly deserved.

Congrats Neale, so well deserved.

 To found the MND charity and raise $100,000,000 for it, is an unbelievable achievement.

And he is such an inspiring, humble and affable man.  I briefly met him once when he was coach.  No airs and graces - just very down to earth.

Fantastic role model and rapt that he is a Demon through and through.  Despite his other AFL affiliations he has stayed true to ❤️💙

Edited January 25Jan 25 by Lucifers Hero

Outstanding choice for an amazing human being!  💖

A message from the man himself, copied from Neil's FB Page:

 

I am deeply honoured to accept the title of Australian of the Year 2025.
 
This recognition belongs to the entire MND community - the families, carers, researchers, volunteers, everyone at the Fight MND foundation, MND state associations, and the countless Australians who have joined us in this fight.
 
It also belongs to my family, headed by my wife Jan and our children and their partners, who have supported me every step of the way.

My journey began in 2013 when I was diagnosed with motor neurone disease - a beast of a disease. It doesn’t discriminate; it robs you of your ability to move, speak, swallow, and breathe. But it also ignited a determination in me to fight for those affected now and in the future.
 
I chose to fight because if I didn’t, how could I expect anyone else to? I chose to hope because I believe in the decency and generosity of Australians. I thought, if people truly understood the challenges we face, they’d join the fight with me. And you have - oh, how you have. So thank you.
 
In my lifetime, I hope we find the causes of MND, better treatments, and ultimately, a cure. Beyond that, I hope to leave a legacy that shows we all have the power to choose to fight, to smile, and to act. Because the mark of a person isn’t what they say; it’s what they do.
 
Thank you for believing in this fight. Together, we will win it.

#AusoftheYear Australian of the Year Awards

 

 

In all the appearances he makes, I'm amazed at how humble, greatful and inspirational is.  With his ability to reach out to other people and bring them together, it's no wounder he was a coach.  I bought my nephew Neil's book "When all is said and done" a few years back for Christmas, but haven't actually read it myself; something I think I should make time for.

Queens Birthday this year will be huge.  Also wounder if there will be a bit of a pre-election promise of funds for MND research?

Edited January 25Jan 25 by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

15 hours ago, Deevout said:

A big lump in my throat. What a courageous legend Neil is, well done Champion. 

Well said Deevout.

He is the personification of courage and strength.

An incredible human being and despite the term being thrown around....a true inspiration.

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=neale+daniher+cooper&oq=neale+daniher+cooper&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRiPAjIHCAIQIRiPAtIBCTE3MDM1ajBqN6gCFLACAQ&client=ms-android-samsung-ss&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:e32ddbec,vid:8H_aAmL-1NI,st:0

Neale is a wonderful and courages person and this award is richly deserved 

His strength in adversity and positivity should be an inspiration to all 

A great man in a great country 

A short anecdote which sums up Neale and the Daniher family's efforts. It was around 2014 or 2105 shortly after Neale had been diagnosed with MND. A "Sacked Coaches""  event was held at the Reggio Calabria Club on Brunswick Road.  I believe the special guest was Terry Wallace.  Proceeds from the event went to the newly formed Fight MND and Neale came to our table and shared with a close friend of his that the cheque was for $2,000. Whilst obviously appreciative of the donation, he said "Gee it's going to be a long, hard road to raise any serious money at this rate".

Whilst the beast has not been defeated the rest, as they say, is history. The leadership, effort and organisational skills he has shown are truly remarkable. Hats off Neale. 

Congratulations Neale and the whole Daniher Family I cannot find the words that sufficiently describe his courage and his achievements suffice to say he is the most deserved Australian Of The Year that I can remember.❤️💙💕🌸

Neale Daniher is Unbelievable, Amazing, Incredible and that doesn’t do him justice! WOW what a human being!

Agree with the above comments.

I met him twice. Lovely man.

I don't believe in karma. Terrible things happen to people like Neale .... and Triplechins and ... don't get me started !!!