Written by Rhea Alison, Sports reporter, covering international sports since 2020

Australian television personality Sam Mac has proposed a new public holiday called Daniher Day, a National Day of Giving inspired by Neale Daniher's fight against Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Speaking on Thursday, June 4, 2026, Mac said the initiative would honour Daniher's contribution to the community and encourage Australians to support charitable causes through donations, volunteering, and community action. The proposal comes after Daniher and Fight MND helped raise more than $157 million while increasing awareness of the disease across Australia.

Sam Mac outlines vision for Daniher Day

Mac believes the public holiday should focus on three areas: celebration, inspiration, and donation. The day would recognise community members making a positive difference, share stories from charities nationwide, and encourage Australians to contribute to causes that matter.

Reflecting on Daniher's impact, Mac highlighted the former AFL figure's determination during his battle with MND and the hope he has provided to many families.

"The mark of a person is not what they say, it’s what they do."

For readers interested in more Australian sporting stories, check out our Smartplay AFL News Hub.

CTA: Learn more about Fight MND and support the cause through the official Fight MND website: https://fightmnd.org.au/