State Funeral Service for Neale Daniher AO

A State Funeral Service to honour the life of Neale Daniher AO was held on Wednesday, 10 June at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Portrait of Neale Daniher AO smiling and wearing a suit

Neale Daniher AO

Neale Daniher AO lived a life that expanded beyond the bounds of the football field.

He made his first mark on the football field at 17, before going on to play 82 games for the Essendon Football Club from 1970 to 1990.

It was during his time with the Bombers that Neale would face his first test of resilience, with a series of knee injuries that would prematurely end his playing career.

However, his talent and passion for the sport led to him becoming senior coach for the Melbourne Football Club in 1998. His ambitious and dedicated leadership guided the Demons to the 2000 AFL Grand Final and through a ten-year coaching tenure, where he became affectionately known as ‘The Reverend’.

In 2013, Neale was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), or 'The Beast' as he called it.

Determined to help others living with the disease, Neale co-founded FightMND. Together with his family and supporters, FightMND has committed over $141 million to medical research and care, to improve the lives of those living with MND, and to find treatments and ultimately a cure.

Neale was named the Victorian of the Year in 2019 and the Australian of the Year in 2025, in recognition of his extraordinary contributions in leading the fight against MND, inspiring millions of Australians with hope.

In the face of profound adversity, Neale became a beacon of hope and will be remembered for his generosity, humility and courage.

The service

  • The image shows the stage for Neale Daniher AO's State Funeral Service, on the field of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with audience members wearing FightMND beanies
  • Uncle Colin Hunter Jr welcomes everyone to Country at Neale Daniher AO's State Funeral Service
  • Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan speaks at Neale Daniher AO's State Funeral Service
  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks at Neale Daniher AO's State Funeral Service
  • The order of service booklet for Neale Daniher AO's State Funeral Service, with a photo of Neale smiling on the front
  • Jan Daniher leads family tributes at her husband Neale Daniher AO's State Funeral Service
  • Bec Daniher spoke at her father Neale Daniher AO's State Funeral Service
  • Singer Gary Pinto performs at Neal Daniher AO's State Funeral Service with a guitarist next to him
  • Neale Daniher AO State Funeral Service Wreath with a card signed by Premier Jacinta Allan
  • Musician Paul Kelly performs Leaps and Bounds at Neale Daniher AO's State Funeral Service. He is playing guitar and has another guitarist next to him.
  • Former Melbourne footballers Paul Hopgood and David Neitz speak at Neale Daniher AO's State Funeral Service
  • Crowds wearing FightMND beanies gather outside the MCG for Neale Daniher AO's State Funeral Service. There is a large image of Neale on the outside of the stadium.
  • A guard of honour forms along Daniher's Way outside the MCG, with crowds applauding as the hearse passes them

  • The stage and audience at the MCG for the State Funeral Service for Neale Daniher AO

  • Uncle Colin Hunter Jr delivered a Welcome to Country at the State Funeral Service for Neale Daniher AO

  • Hon. Jacinta Allan MP, Premier of Victoria, spoke on behalf of the people of Victoria at the State Funeral Service for Neale Daniher AO

  • The Honourable Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, provided a tribute at the State Funeral Service for Neale Daniher AO

  • Neale Daniher AO State Funeral Service booklet

  • Jan Daniher led family tributes at the State Funeral Service of her husband Neale

  • Bec Daniher gave tribute to her father Neale at his State Funeral Service

  • Singer Gary Pinto performed at the State Funeral Service

  • Neale Daniher AO State Funeral Service Wreath

  • Musician Paul Kelly performed Leaps and Bounds at the State Funeral Service

  • Paul Hopgood and David Neitz gave tribute to their former coach Neale Daniher AO

  • Crowds gathered outside the MCG for Neale Daniher AO's State Funeral Service

  • A Guard of Honour applauded Neale Daniher as his hearse left the MCG along Daniher's Way

The service commenced with a Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Colin Hunter Jr, followed by a rendition of the Australian National Anthem by Bonnie Anderson.

The Premier, Hon. Jacinta Allan MP, spoke on behalf of the people of Victoria reflecting on Neale’s life and legacy, and the passion, warmth and fighting spirit that drove Neale through his football career and battle with motor neurone disease (MND).

The Prime Minister, The Honourable Anthony Albanese MP, paid tribute to Neale’s determination and positivity, and the hope he inspired across the country.

Family and friends shared touching tributes, memories and stories throughout the service, providing personal insights into Neale the family man.

Neale’s impact as a coach and mentor was honoured by former footballers David Neitz and Paul Hopgood and AFL Premiership-winning coach Chris Fagan, who remarked on his honesty and humour.

The service included video montages of Neale’s life, alongside live performances of some of his favourite songs by Gary Pinto.

Paul Kelly performed an emotional rendition of Leaps and Bounds, including additional lyrics ‘we remember you Neale, we remember you Reverend’.

Following the service, a Guard of Honour formed along Daniher’s Way to farewell Neale as he left the MCG for a final time to his favourite song Mr. Brightside.

Donations

In lieu of flowers, and at the request of the Daniher family, donations may be made to FightMND.

To donate, visit fightMND’s website.
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