Neale Daniher Named 2025 Australian of the Year for Inspiring Fight Against MND
AFL legend and motor neurone disease (MND) advocate Neale Daniher has been honored as the 2025 Australian of the Year, a recognition of his extraordinary commitment to combating a disease he calls "a beast." Diagnosed with MND in 2013, Daniher has transformed his personal battle into a national movement, raising over $100 million through his co-founded charity, FightMND. His relentless efforts have not only advanced medical research but also inspired countless Australians to join his mission to find a cure.
MND is a neurodegenerative condition that strips away mobility, speech, and eventually the ability to breathe, with most sufferers surviving an average of just three years post-diagnosis. Daniher, however, has defied those odds, living with the disease for over a decade. His resilience and determination have turned what could have been a private struggle into a beacon of hope for others.
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Unable to speak due to his condition, Daniher accepted the award with a prerecorded speech, emphasizing that this recognition belonged to the entire MND community—patients, families, researchers, and volunteers. He called the disease a cruel and indiscriminate adversary but credited it with igniting his passion to fight. “I chose to fight because if I didn’t, how could I expect anyone else to?” he said, urging Australians to continue rallying together to support this cause.
Born in the small New South Wales town of Ungarie in 1961, Daniher’s journey began as a talented AFL player and coach. His legacy, however, extends far beyond the football field. FightMND's iconic "Big Freeze" events, where supporters don blue beanies to raise funds, have become a symbol of unity and determination. "To everyone who has bought a beanie, donated, or shared our message—thank you. You’ve shown that Australians can achieve the impossible when united," he shared.
At 63, Daniher hopes to leave a legacy that emphasizes choice—choosing to hope, fight, and believe in the power of community. His courage and vision continue to inspire a nation, proving that even in the face of adversity, extraordinary change is possible.
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