Former AFL player and MND campaigner Neale Daniher named 2025 Australian of the year

Daniher was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2013, and was told the average lifespan for patients was about three years.

Defying that expectation, he has worked tirelessly for more than 10 years to raise money and awareness of MND, in the hopes of one day finding a cure.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese presented the award to the 63-year-old at the event in Canberra.

Daniher co-founded the charity FightMND in 2014, which has raised and invested more than $115 million into medical research for the condition.

Daniher was a former AFL player at Essendon FC and he went on to coach the Melbourne Demons.

The annual Big Freeze ice bath event at the MCG is part of his ongoing fundraising efforts.