LIAM DURKIN
COMMUNITY
By LIAM DURKIN A GRAND Final-like crowd gathered in Moe last Saturday. More than 1600 people came through the gates at Ted Summerton Reserve, to see the Moe Football-Netball Club unite with a range of community groups and special guest in the fight against Motor Neurone Disease. The iconic blue beanies, now a symbol of the ‘Fight MND’ campaign, were out in force, with a sea of blue encapsulating the reserve. Moe footballers wore special blue socks during their games against Maffra, while senior players even wore the blue beanies during their warmup. In the true spirit of ‘putting a freeze on MND’, a number of local football and netball identities bravely put up their hand to be dunked under ice-cold water. Much like the annual slide event at the MCG, those taking the plunge were submerged one-by-one. Unlike the AFL however, country football required some improvisation, so instead of a slide, a dunking machine was booked. The ‘dunkees’ taking part were Moe Football-Netball Club games record holder Peter ‘Jibba’ Ainsworth, Maffra FNC champion and former Moe coach Adrian Burgiel, current Moe thirds coach Mark ‘Dougie’ Walsh, Moe FNC secretary Donna Naismith, Gold Coast footballer and Moe-export Bailey Humphrey, Moe’s most vocal football supporter John ‘Johno’ Johnson, former Irish footballer Gerry Clarke, and former Socceroo Archie Thompson. The dunking event took place at the cricket net area, where larger-than-life North Melbourne premiership player Sam Kekovich took the microphone as master of ceremonies. A number of ex-Moe players sent messages of support, including Bernie Vince and Barry Rowlings. The day was highlighted by Neale Daniher himself being on hand to see the event unfold. The face of the Fight MND campaign joined Gelagotis and other community leaders before the senior match, as a formal acknowledgment was made to all who took part, and to offer further congratulations to Daniher for all he had achieved through his advocacy. “On behalf of the Moe Lions and the Gippsland Community, Neale, thank you for what you are doing, you are an inspiring individual,” Gelagotis said. Although MND has taken hold of Daniher and he is unable to speak, the look of pride on his face was there for all to see. Daniher’s son Ben plays for Moe, and Neale is there most weeks watching on at Ted Summerton Reserve. More pics from Moe’s Big Freeze on Page 28
the cause.
