ASSUMPTION College alumnus Neale Daniher AO has been named Australian of the Year.
A former Essendon Football Club player and founder of FightMND—an organisation bearing the acronym of the illness he was diagnosed with in 2013, Motor Neurone Disease—Daniher has dedicated the last 12 years of his life to spreading awareness of the debilitating disease, raising over $115 million through the foundation in the hopes to find a cure.
His selfless commitment to the cause, even in the advanced stages of his diagnosis, has seen him labelled as an inspiration to all, with FightMND Chief Executive Matt Tilley dubbing Daniher as a true Australian.
“It’s becoming increasingly tricky, and sometimes a little fraught, to describe what is truly ‘Australian’, but I think Neale and his remarkable story capture the essence of what we think we are at our very best,” he said.
During his acceptance speech, Daniher thanked his friends, family, and colleagues, attributing the award to a collaborative effort.
“I am deeply honoured to accept the title of Australian of the Year 2025,” he said.
“This recognition isn’t just for me, it belongs to the entire MND community—the families, the carers, the researchers, the volunteers, all those at the FightMND foundation and MND state associations, and the countless Australians who have joined us in this fight.”
Known as the ‘beast’, MND is a progressive disease that robs the individual of the ability to move, speak, swallow, and breathe. Yet despite experiencing many of these symptoms, Daniher has continued to fight for a cure.
“I chose to fight because if I didn’t, how could I expect anyone else to?,” he said.
“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 again, I thank you.
“Together, we’ve built a movement. Since 2014, we’ve raised over $115 million for care and medical research, supported clinical trials across the country, and developed new drugs that offer hope.
“More than that, we’ve shown people living with MND that they are not alone.
“This disease is not incurable, it’s simply underfunded and misunderstood. With focus, funding, and unwavering determination, we can change that.
“To everyone who has bought a beanie, donated a dollar, or spread the word—thank you. You are proof that when Australians unite, nothing is impossible.”
To donate to FightMND, visit www.fightmnd.org.au.
