It’s not what we say, it’s what we do that matters.
Neale Daniher AO is a co-founder of FightMND, a charity that has raised and invested over $115 million into medical research to find a cure for motor neurone disease (MND).
Since his diagnosis in 2013, Neale, with the unwavering support of his family, has been battling the debilitating effects of the disease in the public eye, tirelessly campaigning and raising awareness of MND. The annual Big Freeze event at the MCG embodies Neale's ethos of turning adversity into an opportunity for celebration and hope.
A former AFL player with Essendon FC who went on to coach the Melbourne Demons, Neale has drawn on these team-based experiences to galvanise the community Australia-wide to join the fight against MND.
The now 63-year-old has lived with the cruel disease for 10 years, defying the average life expectancy of just 27 months. With amazing courage and relentless drive, he is dedicated to helping prevent the suffering of those who’ll be diagnosed in the future.
Talking Points
Defining Your Legacy Through Resilience and Purpose
Neale Daniher has faced many challenges, but none more significant than his battle with motor neurone disease (MND). Instead of surrendering, he chose to fight—not just for himself, but for everyone impacted by this disease. His story is one of resilience, perspective, and making every moment count.Defining Your Legacy Through Resilience and Purpose
In this unique session, Neale delivers a powerful 10-minute keynote, sharing his philosophy on facing life’s toughest challenges head-on. He explores how shifting our mindset from “Why me?” to “What’s next?” unlocks strength, purpose, and impact.
Following Neale’s keynote, he will be joined on stage by his daughter and FightMND campaign leader, Bec Daniher, for an in-depth conversation. Together, they will share further insight into their family’s journey and progress in the fight against MND over the last decade. This intimate discussion will provide an unfiltered look at the impact of their mission, the strength found in purpose, and how Neale’s lessons can inspire action in all of us.
Key Takeaways:
- Resilience in Action: How to face setbacks with courage and purpose.
- Mindset Matters: Why perspective shapes our response to adversity.
- Your Greatest Freedom: The power of choosing how you respond to challenges.
- No More Waiting: Why the perfect time is now.
- Making an Impact: How small, meaningful actions create lasting legacies.
This is more than a keynote—it’s a call to action. A rare opportunity to hear directly from Neale and Bec, to be inspired, and to walk away with a renewed sense of purpose.
Video
Neale Daniher AO - 2025 Australian of the Year
Meet Your Australians - 2025 Australian of the Year Neale Daniher AO
Neale Daniher AO is a co-founder of FightMND, a charity that’s raised and invested over $100 million into medical research to find a cure for motor neurone disease (MND).Since his diagnosis in 2013, Neale and his family have been battling the effects of the disease, but he remains a tireless campaigner for a cure and is always raising awareness of MND.Neale has lived his condition very publicly, even in the advanced stages of the disease. He’s often front and centre at FightMND’s Big Freeze charity event held annually.A former AFL player with Essendon FC who went on to coach the Melbourne Demons, Neale’s implemented his team-based football experience to galvanise community and corporate support for the cause.The now 63-year-old has lived with the debilitating disease for 10 years, defying the average life expectancy of just 27 months. With amazing courage and relentless drive, he’s dedicated his life to helping prevent the suffering of those who’ll be diagnosed in the future.
