Our 2017 Australian Knight

Every Australia Day, staff at The Knight recognise a worthy recipient(s), for our ‘Australian Knight’ award, who has demonstrated qualities that personify those of a Knight. 

This year, we wish to acknowledge Neale Daniher, as our Australian of the Year, our Australian Knight. 

Click here to view our 2017 Australia Day Card

The Knight donated $10,000 to the Cure for MND Foundation

Neale Daniher’s Bio

We regard ourselves as the ‘Sporting Nation’ of the World and we are lucky to have so many brilliant idols to look up to.

One such leader of our sporting fraternity who has delivered both on the field and off is Neale Daniher. On the field Neale demonstrated tenacity, fortitude, and was a champion. Off the field in his role as an AFL coach, he was revered by the country and known as the ‘Reverend’. These were the days when Neale was blessed with good health and was unstoppable.

Neale was also part of the legendary moment when he and his three brothers played for the Essendon Football Club on the same day on the 1st September 1990.

No one has a crystal ball, thank goodness, as life holds many challenges.

For those few who may not be aware, Neale’s challenges increased immeasurably when he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and since that diagnosis, has become a champion fighting the ‘Beast’ that is MND.

MND is a crippling disease in which those diagnosed watch their bodies slowly become paralysed until they can no longer walk, talk, eat and eventually breathe. It truly is a ‘Beast’ of a disease.

“As a patron for the Cure for MND Foundation, I am devoted to the task of raising awareness about Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and funds for research within Australia, with the aim of discovering treatments that can grapple with the disease, and ultimately help find a cure.”
– Neale Daniher

Neale is also the Vice Chairman of the Cure for MND Foundation. The Foundation is a 100% not-for-profit charity who are passionate about funding the best and brightest MND researchers within Australia with the aim of finding a treatment and ultimately a cure.

We encourage you to reflect upon your own position in life and if you can see your way clear to help the Cure for MND Foundation please go www.curemnd.org.au and donate. Let’s help Neale defeat the ‘Beast’.