I think with Neale’s passing there was an anticipation that the 2026 Big Freeze would surpass funds raised on previous King’s Birthday weekends.
My mum always said that if you’re prepared to look after those worse off than yourself and maintain a positive attitude, good things will come.
That mantra has come to fruition for Fight MND. How amazing was that donation from the beautiful Brisbane philanthropists Quentin and Kylie Burt? A just reward for Neale and everyone involved in this vital research.
Makes me wonder if the other 170-odd billionaires can find it within themselves to assist with charities, schools, hospitals, public housing and scientific research as opposed to airplanes for political leaders?..…..You can’t take the money with you.
Anyway we play on. Yesterday I volunteered at The Big Freeze at the behest of my dear old team mate at Werribee FC, Michael (Mixer) McMaster.
Mixer is very close to The Danihers and was Neale’s runner at Melbourne FC for six years. He’s also hyperactive and drives me nuts but despite that, I’d do anything for him….well almost.
There were approximately three hundred volunteers gathered at the indoor cricket nets within the bowels of the MCG.
I spent a fair bit of time welcoming people and handing out badges, wrist bands, lanyards and T shirts whilst talking to a couple of Fight MND doctors, Michelle and Min.
Min provided some valuable insights at our Werribee lunch two days prior and both woman articulated the scale of the challenge that is ahead.
There is clearly a long way to go and without the generosity of the public and donations from people like The Burts, there would be zero chance of a cure.
Everything was planned with military precision at ‘The G’, down to the kind people who provided an egg and bacon roll on the way to Fed Square. Gratefully received and duly inhaled having had an early start from Ballarat.
I didn’t do much else because the volunteers, many of whom were multiple attendees of the Big Freeze, grabbed all the coin cans and other gear before I knew it.
I ended up at Fed Square selling beanies and shaking a can. I could hear Neale, “whaddaya doin’ Willow! Get a move on man! You’re not here for your looks!”
Even though there were lots of beanies sold, I was blown away with how many were already purchased and on the scones of the thousands in the city.
The ‘March to The G’ was a spectacular kilometre-plus long wave of blue. There was a certain solemnity and respect as The Daniher family led the marchers. Not sad, just quietly reflective perhaps given that this was the first without Neale present.
After handing back our gear and collecting our things, I farewelled Mixer and took up a seat in ‘The G’ to devour a pie and coke.
The Big Freeze slide was as entertaining as ever. Daisy Thomas was my favourite as Mick Malthouse and the Governor General was terrific also.
I was taken aback with the sea of blue in the crowd. Gee we’re collectively a powerful and generous community when we want to be.
Bec Daniher’s wish for 100,000 virtual beanies was met and I ducked off at half time to get the train back to Ballarat, still traumatised after the Saints loss the previous day. Still managed a Mr Whippy on the way to Richmond Station.
Neale’s presence in 1991 at Werribee FC left an indelible legacy for those who were there so The Big Freeze started early at the club.
Last Thursday at training, the players purchased beanies and socks for their Saturday game v Coburg and conducted a Big Freeze Bucket session.
Before training, former coach, now Brisbane Lions recruiter Leon Harris spoke to the players about Neale’s influence in his twelve months at the club and highlighted just how funny he was right to the end.
If you have Facebook, here is a link.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2154178962098320
Come game day on the Saturday we had a major fundraiser during the President’s Lunch and welcomed the presence of some of the club’s best ever players from 1991 when we made our first grand final in the VFA.
Our sincere thanks to everyone at the club for facilitating a fantastic day and especially to all those who donated and purchased auction items and raffle tickets.
Every dollar counts when it comes to killing ‘The Beast’ and so many contributions have come from grass roots footy clubs, sporting clubs in general and community groups.
On Sunday, our local FIDA team the Ballarat Bulldogs, consisting of intellectually disabled footballers, put on their own Big Freeze Bucket fundraiser and had a ball. A fair effort on a sub-Arctic Ballarat winter morning.
I think what’s phenomenal with what Neale, Bec and family have been able to achieve over the last thirteen years is the level of traction and loyalty they have with their supporters and contributors.
It’s a very difficult thing to do to achieve such extraordinary cut through amongst so many charities that all need help.
It’s interesting how you can attach yourself to a charity for life, much like a footy club.
Personally I’ve been a life-long contributor to The Salvation Army for the oddest of rationale.
During my six years in the army as a kid, we would be out in the bush, exhausted, irritable and filthy on exercise in a pretend war when suddenly ‘time out’ would be called.
Enter The Salvos in a Land Rover, rear doors down and urns full of coffee, tea and hot chocolate would miraculously appear, accompanied with Arnotts biscuits and packets of Lifesavers which we gleefully shoved into the pockets of our ‘greens’.
Such a small gesture meant the world to us, and as a result I’ve been proudly donating to a few of their programs now for fifty years. I’ve never forgotten their kindness.
The other charity I love is The Alannah and Madelaine Foundation. Being the dad of two girls, this tragedy hit home in a major way and like Neale, Walter Mikac is a true inspiration.
When you see how many of this generation turn up to ‘The G’ and understand what Fight MND is all about, there’s every chance the cause will be supported loyally until that ‘Beast’ is destroyed for good.
The allegiance to Fight MND isn’t a fad, it’s a movement now, created by a very down to earth, fearless individual who chose not to sit still, but help others instead.
It’s been impossible to not be affected by Neale’s journey ably assisted by his daughter Bec having to be the tireless face of the charity, whilst almost at full term pregnancy!
She has seemingly inherited her dad’s indefatigable determination and selflessness. The organisation is in safe hands.
Our thoughts are with Jan and the Daniher family this week.
