A journey for Judy and Jeff: Stawell Gold Diggers join their first Daniher’s Drive
When the Stawell Gold Diggers roll out for their very first Daniher’s Drive, they’ll be carrying more than supplies and luggage. They’ll carry the memories of two loved ones, Judy and Jeff, and a determination to make a difference in the fight against motor neurone disease (MND).
Leading the team is Jodie, driving in honour of her beloved mum, Judy. By her side will be her husband Tony and close friends Karen and Jim. Their bond goes deeper than friendship. Karen also knows the heartbreak of motor neurone disease (MND), having lost her father, Jeff, to the disease in 1985.
For Jodie, the memories of her mum’s diagnosis are still sharp.
“We noticed Mum had developed a slur in her voice in March 2015,” she recalls. “The local GP thought it could have been a stroke, but the tests came back clear. I happened to be seeing a neurologist myself and mentioned Mum’s symptoms. He wanted to see her straight away, so just two days later we travelled three hours to Melbourne. He noticed fasciculations in her arm immediately and organised for her to be admitted to St Vincent’s for a week of testing.”
Jodie stayed with her mum throughout, but just two days in, the neurologist pulled her aside and said, “It’s not going to be good news. In fact, it will be really bad news.”
The next day, Judy sat with the Herald Sun in her hands. Neale Daniher’s story was on the front page. She looked at Jodie and said, “This sounds horribly like me.”
A week later, it was confirmed. Judy was diagnosed with Bulbar Onset MND.
“I remember spending the whole trip home Googling what it was and wondering how I was going to tell my parents and family what I knew about the disease,” Jodie says.
From that moment, everything changed. Living in regional Victoria meant long drives to Melbourne and limited access to MND expertise. Judy’s speech deteriorated rapidly, but her spirit never did.
“She was an extremely strong woman,” Jodie says. “She spoke her mind openly and made sure everyone knew where she stood.”
Judy was also clear about her wishes. After a week in hospital where she saw other MND patients in their final stages, she quietly told Jodie she never wanted to reach that point, even writing down her wishes for end-of-life care.
“We couldn’t find any GPs who would even listen to us about what Mum wanted,” Jodie says. “Two even told us they didn’t want her as a patient if she had an attitude like that.”
When Judy could no longer eat, her decline was swift. In May 2016, just 13 months after her diagnosis, she passed away peacefully in palliative care, surrounded by her family. She was 72.
Since then, Jodie has carried her mum’s legacy forward. Each year she’s rallied her hometown by selling Big Freeze Beanies, raising funds and awareness for FightMND.
This year marks a new chapter for Jodie. She is captaining the Stawell Gold Diggers who are taking part in Daniher’s Drive for the very first time. Their journey will be a tribute to Judy, to Jeff and to all families touched by MND. Every kilometre they cover, every conversation they start, and every community they engage with directly supports MND research and care. Their journey isn’t just a tribute. It’s a meaningful step toward real progress against the disease.
Enter the 2025 Daniher’s Drive Raffle for your chance to win!
If you can’t participate in this year’s Drive, you can still support FightMND in the fight against the Beast with the 2025 Daniher’s Drive raffle.
Thanks to our generous sponsors at Jayco, you could win your very own 2025 Jayco Discovery Outback 19.61-3 Caravan valued at $85,990. Designed to elevate your travel experience, the Discovery Caravan combines contemporary design with thoughtful functionality. Featuring a spacious interior, premium finishes, and the latest in Jayco technology, this special-edition caravan offers everything you need for effortless getaways. Your next adventure begins with the Discovery!
What are you waiting for? Purchase your tickets today for just $40 each or 3 for $100 and get in the draw!
The raffle is open to residents of Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory. Entries close Sunday, 26 October 2025 at 11:59 PM (AEST). The draw will be held Monday, 27 October 2025 at 12:00 PM (AEDT).
Join the fight. Together we can beat the Beast.