AFL icon encourages students to be resilient

Courageous AFL icon and the 2025 Australian of the Year, Neale Daniher, this week inspired more than 200 WA students and staff when he was guest of honour at a school forum about resilience.

The Auspire Inspiring Australians’ Student forum, held at Wanneroo Secondary College on April 10, gave WA students the opportunity to hear from Neale, and how he has turned adversity into an opportunity of celebration and awareness for motor neurone disease (MND).

Neale, co-founder of charity FightMND, 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 10 years, he has defied the average life expectancy of those with it, which is just 27 months.  

During the opening presentation, Neale said that the key to learning resilience is having a growth mindset, normalising setbacks, reframing them and taking responsibility, using them as opportunities for growth.  

“It’s not a matter of if life gets tough, it’s when and how often,” he said. 

“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.” 

Neale’s daughter, and FightMND campaign director, Bec Daniher, joined Neale 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,” Wanneroo Secondary College student, Ella Feist, said.   

As an AFL specialist school, Wanneroo Secondary College Principal, Ms Justine Conroy—McNaught, said they understand that 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. 

Neale is one of four brothers that played 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. 

Neale has history in WA also, having been an inaugural Fremantle Dockers assistant coach (1995-97) and later the West Coast Eagles general manager of football operations (2008-2013). 

For more information about Fight MND, visit its website¹.

For more information about Auspire², visit its website.