Neale Daniher’s son Luke reveals the emotional moment his dad became Australian Of The Year

Neale Daniher’s son Luke has described his dad as an inspiration and revealed the family had no idea he was about to be named Australian Of The Year until his name was read out on Saturday.

Daniher’s incredible work to campaign and raise both awareness and money for research into motor-neurone disease has made him a much loved figure throughout Australia. The former Essendon captain and Melbourne coach was diagnosed with MND in 2013 and told he had just 27 months to live.

But Daniher refused to wallow in self pity and his FightMND charity, which includes the Big Freeze at the G fundraiser, has seen more than $100 million put into research.

Luke Daniher moved to Perth with his dad in 2009 when Neale joined West Coast, and remained in WA when the rest of the family returned to Victoria. Now married with two children and still playing football, Luke said watching his dad be named Australian Of The Year had been extraordinary.

“When dad was nominated, I told them I’d make sure I got across and he said I didn’t have to because it’s a big trip We didn’t have too many high hopes,” Luke said.

“It was amazing meeting the other nominees and hearing their stories. We were knocked on our backsides when they read out Neale’s name. We were ecstatic. We only found out on the night. We had zero idea. We were blown away.

“We are extremely proud of dad. When he sets his mind to something, it’s amazing what can happen. He’s set a really good example for all of us and a lot of other people.

“We are all going to have challenges in our lives, but if you can find the opportunity and a sense of purpose, it’s amazing what you can achieve. He mentioned that you can choose your attitude. Everything might get taken from you but you can always choose your attitude. I thought that was pretty powerful.”

Neale’s fight has been on a public stage which has meant the changes to his body have been obvious whenever he has appeared.

Luke said it had been difficult seeing the changes to his dad’s condition every time he flew home.

“He can’t move his arms and he can’t speak any more. He can’t swallow, so has to have food through his stomach” he explained.

“It takes lots of things away from you until you become trapped in your own body while your mind is still very cognitive and functioning at a high capacity. He’s very reliant on external help. His legs are getting a little bit weaker. There are certain things that he could do when I last caught up with him that he can’t do now.”