AFL icon shares resilience story with WA students

Courageous AFL icon and the 2025 Australian of the Year, Neale Daniher, has addressed more than 200 WA students and staff as guest of honour at a school forum about resilience.

The Auspire Inspiring Australians’ Student forum, held at Wanneroo Secondary College, gave WA students the opportunity to hear from Mr Daniher, and how he has turned adversity into an opportunity of celebration and awareness for motor neurone disease (MND).

As co-founder of charity FightMND, Mr Daniher has been a driving force behind the fight for a cure for the terrible disease since he was diagnosed with it in 2013. Having lived with the debilitating disease for more than 10 years, he has defied the average life expectancy of those with it, which is just 27 months.  

During the presentation, Mr Daniher said the key to learning resilience was having a growth mindset, normalising setbacks and reframing them by taking responsibility and using them as opportunities for growth.  

“It’s not a matter of if life gets tough, it’s when and how often,” Mr Daniher told the students.

“You have to find the courage to take responsibility, not to pass the buck, not to procrastinate, not to make excuses; you have to summon something from within you, from the better side of your character, and let it help you rise up. 

“Life gives you opportunities, but you won’t find them if you’re too busy blaming everyone else.” 

Mr Daniher’s daughter and FightMND campaign director, Bec Daniher, joined her father on stage for a Q&A with the students, which focussed on his favourite memories from AFL and the impact he has made.

For the students, it was an amazing opportunity to hear from someone who, despite their challenges, has continued to make a positive and lasting impact on many Australians. 

“He gave us great tools in terms of resilience and how to be someone else’s example; that was just amazing,” said Wanneroo Secondary College student, Ella Feist.   

As an AFL specialist school, Wanneroo Secondary College Principal, Ms Justine Conroy-McNaught, said the students and staff understood how the power of sport brings people together. 

“As a college community, we have been so inspired by Neale’s courage, resilience and determination,” Ms McNaught said.  

Since founded in 2014, FightMND has invested more than $115.78 million into research and care initiatives for people with MND. 

Mr Daniher is one of four brothers to play VFL/AFL for Essendon. He played 82 games between 1979 and 1990, captaining the Bombers in 1982. He also coached Melbourne between 1998 and 2007. 

For more information about Fight MND, visit its website. For more information about Auspire, visit its website.