Neale takes centre stage at Lardner Park fundraiser
Lardner Park was a house of frights and fun on Saturday night as the sixth annual Daniher’s Drive celebrated its completion with a Halloween costume party at the venue.
The charity drive, which is an event created to raise funds for FightMND, saw more than 300 people get in their cars and join a convoy around Victoria, beginning at the MCG on Friday and heading to Lakes Entrance via a stop at Yarragon, before eventually arriving at its final destination in the heart of Warragul.
FightMND is a charity dedicated to raising money and awareness for motor neurone disease, which afflicts thousands of Australians every year. FightMND is most famous for its yearly ‘Big Freeze’ event before the AFL Queen’s Birthday match between Melbourne and Collingwood.
With FightMND patron and co-founder, former AFL player and coach Neale Daniher leading the drive, the charity travelled more than 600kms and raised almost $3 million, after the State Government announced on Saturday it would contribute $1 million.
This was despite some late changes to the route, unfortunately shortening the drive due to poor weather conditions around Victoria and preventing it from visiting communities such as Myrtleford as was originally planned.
Having been postponed in both 2020 and 2021, the destinations of this year’s drive were chosen in the hope of bringing some joy to communities that were seriously affected by the 2019 Victorian bushfires that ravaged much of state.
The Halloween party that ended the drive was a night for both participants and locals to mingle and enjoy themselves, as Neale was joined by a contingent of ex-Melbourne Football Club players, all of whom he coached during his time at the club. Guests were able to meet Neale and his family who were all getting in on the fun in a variety of creative costumes.
Following speeches, photo opportunities and a meal, everyone descended onto the dance floor as they let loose to celebrate the end of another successful event. What followed was undoubtedly the highlight for many as Neale took to the stage to help sing The Killers’ classic song ‘Mr Brightside,’ in full costume as band frontman Brandon Flowers.
One of the other notable moments of the night was the announcement of the winner of the Jayco raffle, in which the winner would receive a Jayco caravan valued at $62,000. The raffle, which was open to those outside the drive, was won by drive participant Simon Hicks, who had been on every drive since its inception after his mother Lorna died with MND in 2002.
FightMND chief executive officer Fiona McIntosh, a Gippsland local from Maffra, said despite the challenges of the late changes to the route it was “really nice” to be able to spend so much time in Gippsland
“It’s super special to be on the road again. Gippsland itself has had some tough times so it was really great to bring it back and bring some support and awareness here in Gippsland to MND,” she said.
Dr McIntosh also thanked Warragul for hosting the Halloween party, saying they had thrown their support behind the cause in a great way.
“The excitement in Warragul has really been infectious and we’ve had support from so many aspects of the Warragul community, it’s been amazing.”
Former Melbourne Football Club captain David Neitz paid special tribute to Neale, saying his former coach was nothing short of “an absolute inspiration.”
“For us personally, to support Neale who we love dearly as a mate and as our former coach, to see what he’s been going through to see how he takes it on with such selflessness, it’s just phenomenal,” he said.
“It’s also about having fun while doing the fundraising and that’s what tonight represents. It’s a bit of fun and even though we’re fundraising for a bloody killer of a disease, but you’ve still got to enjoy yourself. Life’s short, and you’ve got to enjoy it.”