Friday’s morning tea with motor neurone disease sufferer and former AFL/VFL legend, Neale Daniher, was a resounding success in raising awareness of the terminal illness, according to, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull.

The morning tea, organised by Mr Bull, was part of Daniher’s Drive across eastern Victoria, which visited Dinner Plain last night and Sale later on Friday, raising funds for the Cure for MND Foundation.

“It was great morning with Neale, with about 100 people coming out to support a great cause and raise awareness for this terrible disease,” Mr Bull said.

“We raised about $8500 for the Foundation through ticket sales, a small auction and the generosity of the Bairnsdale RSL and the kind audience.

“Neale provided an inspiration insight into his struggles with the disease, but did so with such a positive outlook on life which I am sure no one will forget.”

Neale, who played 83 games with Essendon from 1979 to 1990 and coached Melbourne from 1998 to 2007, explained that $11 million had been raised by the Cure for MND Foundation already.

“It’s a great achievement and it shows that awareness of MND is increasing Australia-wide, even in our little pocket here in East Gippsland.”

Neale was later part of a 12-over celebrity cricket match in Sale, which featured one side of past and present well-known Gippsland cricketers and the other consisting former Australian greats, including Merv Hughes and Shane Watson.

“One thing we will be making sure of is Merv Hughes will be sledging Tim Bull when he comes into bat,” Neale told the audience at the morning tea in Bairnsdale.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, with Neale Daniher and Peter McKenna, who is driving Neale around Gippsland as part of Daniher’s Drive.

Friday, October 14, 2016