Neale Daniher and Bill Guest forged a friendship in footy and in Freeze MND work

DIFFERENCES in background and upbringing haven’t stopped Neale Daniher and Bill Guest from carving out a remarkable friendship.

Best mates Bill Guest and Neal Daniher. Picture: Sarah Matray

ONE hails from a sprawling farm in the country, the other is a Toorak toff. But the differences in background and upbringing haven’t stopped Neale Daniher and Bill Guest from carving out a remarkable friendship.

They have a shared love of footy to thank for that and the occasional belly laugh over a beer or two.

But now they have another thing in common.

FREEZE MND 2017: NEALE DANIHER SAYS THANK YOU

HAMISH MCLACHLAN CHATS WITH NEALE DANIHER

MEN GET A GRIP ON THEIR HEALTH

This week, Guest, a former Melbourne Football Club board member, was listed among the Australia Day honours, recognised for his charity work.

Neale Daniher and supporters walking to the MCG before Big Freeze 3 last year.

It is the same gong Daniher received last year.

“Bill is great company and makes people feel comfortable in their own skin,’’ Daniher said.

“We have lot of laughs but on another level I admire the fact he’s done so well in life but has always had a generous spirit and been so willing to give back.’’

The pair first met when Guest interviewed Daniher for the role of Melbourne coach in 1997.

Diagnosed with prostate cancer nine years ago, Guest, now 60, went on to establish the Australian Prostate Centre, an all-purpose, bulk-billing centre credited with helping save the lives of thousands of patients.

But it’s their work together since Daniher was diagnosed with MND that has shone through. Daniher said his mate helped get the Freeze MND event off the ground, an annual initiative that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Neale Daniher coaching Melbourne in 2007.

“I see a bloke like Neale and it just reinforces that we can all have an enormous impact in different ways,’’ Guest said.

“The inspirational thing about him is that he refuses to give in. He knows this is a disease that will kill him but he remains unbelievably selfless.

“He gives you faith in humanity. It’s a great journey we have been on and I am proud to call him my mate.’’

[e-mail]

fightmnd.org.au