Neale Daniher names 2025 Victorian Australian of the Year for motor neuron fight

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Former football champion and charity co-founder Neale Daniher has been named the 2025 Victorian Australian of the year. Daniher was recognised at a ceremony in Melbourne last night for his work raising fund and awareness for motor neuron disease.

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00:00Still processing the enormity of the award, the Danaher's today celebrating a huge achievement.

00:09I think it's really recognition to all the people with MND and all the people that have

00:14supported Fight MND over the, you know, since 2014.

00:19Surrounded by his family and met with a standing ovation.

00:24But it was Neil Danaher's look to his wife Jan that said it all, as he was named Victorian

00:33Australian of the Year at a ceremony last night.

00:36For Neil to be included in this, it's incredibly special for our family and for you.

00:47The award recognises his tireless work in raising millions of dollars and awareness

00:51for motor neurone disease, after his own diagnosis a decade ago.

00:56He's been the face of the Fight MND movement, helping launch the now iconic Big Freeze Blue

01:01Beanie.

01:02While his body started to fail him, his advocacy never wavered, nor did his determination to

01:08fight the disease he calls the beast.

01:12Even from the start when there were a few hurdles about, you know, how were we going

01:16to help, he just said we're going to get in and do it.

01:19You know, there's no no about it, we'll do something as much as we can.

01:23Danaher played 82 games for Essendon from 1979 to 1990, in an injury ravaged career.

01:31He turned to coaching, first as an assistant coach, then as head coach of Melbourne, taking

01:36the Demons to the AFL Grand Final in 2000.

01:40He joined West Coast in 2008, but six years later he revealed his diagnosis, dedicating

01:46the rest of his life to educating people about motor neurone disease and raising funds

01:52towards a cure.

01:53People have put in so much work, so we just want to say thank you to everyone that supported

01:58Fight MND.

01:59In congratulating Neil Danaher, Premier Jacinta Allen simply said, champion footballer, champion

02:05fighter, champion.

02:08Danaher is now in the running for Australian of the Year, which will be announced in Canberra

02:12on Australia Day.

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