26/05/2026
Today, we acknowledge with deep sadness the passing of Neale Daniher AO.
Neale’s impact on the MND community, Australian sport, and the lives of countless families cannot be overstated.
A former AFL player, coach, and administrator, Neale was not only one of football’s great leaders, but also one of Australia’s most powerful advocates for people living with motor neurone disease.
Diagnosed with MND in 2013, Neale faced the disease with extraordinary courage, honesty, and determination. Rather than stepping away from public life, he transformed personal adversity into a movement for change.
As Co-founder of FightMND, Neale helped raise and invest more than $115 million into research, care, and hope for the future of everyone impacted by MND. Through initiatives like the Big Freeze, he brought national awareness to a disease that urgently needs both better care and a cure. Neale’s leadership inspired people across Australia to stand beside the MND community and refuse to give up in the fight against “the Beast”.
His legacy extends far beyond fundraising. He helped people living with MND and their families feel seen, heard, and supported.
On behalf of everyone at MND Queensland, we extend our sincere condolences to Neale’s family, friends, loved ones, FightMND, and the entire MND community.
Thank you, Neale, for your leadership, your courage, and your unwavering determination to create a better future for people impacted by MND.
Until there’s a cure, there’s care
