Neale Daniher had everything taken from him, except his courage and humanity.
The man who became the symbol of the fight against motor neurone disease died at home on Monday, aged 65.
It is a fortnight until the annual Collingwood-Melbourne King's Birthday match at the MCG, which has become a major fundraiser for MND research through the Big Freeze pre-game promotion.
Daniher was Australian Of The Year in 2025 and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the tributes.
"With the passing of Neale Daniher, we all grieve for the great Australian," Albanese said in parliament.
The PM noted the average life expectancy for motor neurone disease was 27 months when Daniher was diagnosed, but he resisted for 13 years.
"Neale fought what he called The Beast with the courage, optimism, and passion that brought hope and inspiration into the lives of everyone affected by MND," he added.
