Neale Daniher AO named 2025 Australian of the Year
Neale Daniher AO has been named the 2025 Australian of the Year in recognition of his extraordinary leadership and tireless advocacy for motor neurone disease (MND) research. At the award ceremony in Canberra, Neale thanked his family, friends and the dedicated team at FightMND for their unwavering support.
After being diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2013, Neale, alongside the late Dr Ian Davis OAM and Pat Cunningham, co-founded FightMND with the goal of raising awareness and funding vital research. Through initiatives like the Big Freeze and Daniher’s Drive, Neale’s leadership has inspired Australians to join the cause, raising more than $100 million for MND research and projects to support those living with MND.
Despite his ongoing struggle, Neale remains a dedicated advocate. His journey continues to give hope to those living with the disease and helps fuel the mission to find a cure.
Upon receiving this honour, Neale said:
“I am deeply honoured to accept the title of Australian of the Year 2025. 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.
It also belongs to my family, headed by my wife Jan and our children and their partners, who have been with me every step of the way on this challenging journey.
The journey began for me in 2013 when I was diagnosed with motor neurone disease—a beast of a disease. It doesn’t discriminate; it robs you of your ability to move, speak, swallow, and eventually breathe. But it did something else too: it lit a fire within me, a determination to fight for those who are currently affected and those who will face it after me.
I chose to fight because if I didn’t, how could I expect anyone else to? I chose to hope because I believe in the decency and generosity of Australians. 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 & 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.
Our vision is simple: a world without MND. Some may call it a dream, but I don’t believe it’s an impossible one. This disease is not incurable; it’s simply underfunded and misunderstood. With focus, funding, and unwavering determination, we can change that.
So tonight, I ask you to imagine. Imagine unlocking the mysteries of the neurological frontier right here in Australia. Imagine a world where families don’t lose their loved ones to this cruel disease. And imagine the power of what we can achieve together when we each take small steps to make a difference.
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.
In my lifetime, I hope we find the underlying causes of MND, better treatments, and, ultimately, a cure. But beyond that, I hope to leave a legacy that says this: no matter the odds, no matter the diagnosis, we all have the power to choose to fight, to choose our attitude, to choose to smile, and to choose to do something.
Because the mark of a person isn’t what they say. It’s what they do.
I am grateful and honoured to be Australian of the Year, and I know that this nomination will help grow awareness for our cause so that together, as Australians, we can continue this fight against the beast and one day achieve our vision, a world without MND.”
FightMND CEO, Matt Tilley, congratulated Neale for this extraordinary recognition, acknowledging the significance of the honour.
“Congratulations Neale – our Patron, Co-founder and now Australian of the Year. 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.
Courageous and upstanding in adversity. Bold and relentless in trying to help others. Humble with a cheeky dash of humour when people recognise these qualities in us. The whole Fight MND team is inspired by him every day. And even prouder today.”
The FightMND team congratulates Neale on this special honour. His strength drives the organisation’s mission of a world free from MND.