I’d like to propose a new public holiday — ‘Daniher Day, a National Day of Giving.’
In Australia, we currently have eight public holidays. There’s the one for wearing a funny thing on your head and shouting at horses running around a track. Then there’s the one after Christmas for laying on the couch, eating leftovers and falling asleep while listening to the meditative sounds of the cricket. Oh, and who could forget the one for the King’s Birthday, celebrated five months before the King’s Birthday! Brilliant!
They’re great. We don’t need to overthink them. We certainly don’t need to change them. But we can add to them.
It’s time for a new public holiday that truly means something.
Neale Daniher showed immense courage and wisdom in his 13-year battle with what he called “The Beast” (Motor Neurone Disease). He tackled it head on with humour, bravery and an unwavering determination to find a cure. Neale and his team at Fight MND have raised $157 million. But equally as important, Neale’s given hope and inspiration to the families of those touched by MND.
Neale started the fight, and now it’s time for us to tag in and continue it.
My vision for Daniher Day comes down to three key pillars.
Celebration
We celebrate the Neale Danihers of our community. The people in our own backyard who are doing something selfless and genuinely making a difference. Not just for MND, this day is about a wide range of important missions and charities, and the people behind them.
We will award Daniher Day Trophy’s to individuals who deserve an honorary mention. I personally love the idea of a trophy so recipients can share it around the houses of their supporters, like we did in Under 10’s soccer.
Inspiration
On Daniher Day, all TV, radio and social media will pause competition and work in unison. Whether it’s a simulcast concert (think Live Aid) or a Hottest 100 style countdown of worthy causes. They all simultaneously hand their platforms over to ‘Daniher Day’.
A day for telling Australian stories that deserve the spotlight — This is how the next generation will be inspired to give something back.
Donation
Australia is an extremely generous nation, even when times are tough. So, Daniher Day must have a call to action. There must be worthy charities or organisations who benefit directly every year. Us Aussies are always in a good mood when we get a long weekend, so strategically, this is the perfect time to throw the hat around.
It might be volunteering your time, sharing your talents or it could be a good old fashioned barbeque fundraiser. It’s a day of action from the heart, for those in need. I love the idea of people asking their mates: “Hey, what are we doing for Daniher Day this year?”. The possibilities are endless.
The spirit or creed of Daniher Day comes from the great man himself, he said: “When all is said and done, more is said than done. The mark of a person is not what they say, it’s what they do”. Daniher Day is a day of giving and a day of doing. Who’s in?
