‘Play on’: Daniher family honour Neale’s legacy at Big Freeze Geelong

Less than a week after the passing of Neale Daniher, thousands of people have gathered at Elderslie Recreation Reserve to celebrate the legacy he leaves behind and continue the fight against motor neurone disease.

The annual Big Freeze Geelong fundraiser saw 13 local personalities brave the ice, helping raise more than $130,000 for Fight MND.

Among them was Neale’s brother Terry Daniher, who said continuing to support the cause in the days after his brother’s death was important.

 

“I think it’s part of your duty, really,” Terry said.

“You just want to help out where you can. You want to help clubs run a terrific event, raise some important funds and put the awareness out there.

“I’m pretty chuffed for Neale and what he did, but the fight goes on.”

 

Terry said his brother’s passing had been a shock, but the family had taken comfort in spending time with him in his final days.

“All of a sudden he passes on and it’s a bit of a shock to the system,” he said.

“As family, we’d been pretty close with him in the last few days, but it was pretty tough.

“We’ll keep this show on the road and hopefully find a cure sooner rather than later.

“As Neale always said, play on.”

 

Also braving the ice was AFL Barwon chief executive Kate Patterson. The mad Collingwood supporter took the plunge dressed as “Scott Penguin-bury”.

Patterson said Newton & Chilwell president Aaron Keating first floated the idea of taking on the challenge shortly after she started in the role.

“He invited me to a sponsors day and I heard Dave Wojcinski speak about his mum, who’s been diagnosed, and I started talking to other people who’ve been impacted,” Patterson said.

“I realised it’s such a great cause and we have this incredible platform with our community sport, so why not be a part of it?”

As the afternoon wore on, the crowd continued to grow, with blue beanies filling the reserve ahead of the main event.

Before taking the plunge into the ice himself, Keating spoke about the impact motor neurone disease has had on the club and thanked the community for its support.

 

Tanner Bruhn, David Wojcinkski, Cam Mooney, Mia Gross, Ron Nelson, Ali Wastie, Caitlin Hoiles, Matt Dowling, Mat Horan, James Elford and Roxy Bennett also took on the slide.

Terry Daniher said he remained hopeful researchers would one day find a cure for MND and that the breakthroughs could ultimately benefit people living with other diseases.

Geelong Big Freeze will return in 2027, with South Barwon securing hosting rights for the next event.