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A $5 million state-of-the-art community and sporting pavilion at Assumption College, Kilmore is taking shape.
The Neale Daniher pavilion is named after the “much-loved” alumnus.
The former AFL great and now patron for Fight MND, said he was proud to be involved with the pavilion.
“I thank the college for the honour of naming the pavilion in my name,” Mr Daniher said.
“This space will celebrate all that is wonderful and will be a magnificent place to gather.
“Most of my most valuable life lessons were taught on the sporting fields of Kilmore.”
The first sod on the new pavilion site was turned by Assumption College principal Kate Fogarty and Mr Daniher last week.
“This is an important milestone in the journey of the Assumption College sporting and community pavilion development,” Ms Fogarty said.
“We are extremely proud to have Neale… officially turn the soil and are also delighted to be able to name the sporting and community pavilion in honour of [him].
“He is a great Victorian [and] role model.
“There were a lot of alumni that we could have named this project after… but the name that kept rising to the top time and time again was Neale.
“The reason for that is partially an acknowledgement of [the pavilion] being a sports facility and Neale has been an outstanding footballer and leader of sport… but more importantly, because of his outstanding contribution to society through his work in… awareness raising of [motor neurone disease].
“The pavilion will forever cement the Daniher name in concrete as a famous former AFL player,
coach and prominent motor neurone disease campaigner.”
Mr Daniher’s childhood football and cricket coach and long-time mentor Ray Carroll said naming the pavilion after such an inspiring person was the right call.
“Neale [has been a leader to] not only Melbourne and Victoria but the whole nation and even people on the other side of the world,” Mr Carroll said.
“Courage and spirit in adversity is his hallmark.”
Neale’s brother Anthony spoke on his behalf at the ceremony, highlighting how “chuffed” his brother was at the honour.
“[The pavilion] is sure to be a great asset for not only the students, but the wider community of Kilmore for many years to come,” he said.
Anthony added some words of his own to the students in attendance.
“Enjoy the day, enjoy tomorrow. Don’t look too far ahead, just take it one day at a time because as Neale shows, you don’t know what’s coming.”
The building is anticipated to be opened in early 2022.
