Melbourne, Australia – May 2026
Global Ballooning Australia has unveiled its newest FightMND Big Freeze hot air balloon, marking an exciting new chapter for one of Victoria’s most established tourism operators, while highlighting a deeply meaningful partnership built on altruism, shared purpose, and community impact.
At the heart of this launch is a genuine collaboration with FightMND, the Australian foundation co-founded by Neale Daniher AO, dedicated to funding research into motor neurone disease (MND). MND is a progressive and terminal neurological condition that affects the nerve cells controlling movement and currently has no known cure.
This project goes beyond awareness – it is built on a commitment to true partnership and giving back, using aviation as a platform to help amplify the FightMND message to wider audiences. The Big Freeze beanie balloon represents a shared belief that visibility drives understanding, and understanding drives funding, which in turn drives research progress toward effective treatments and ultimately a cure.
Rather than a traditional sponsorship, the initiative has been developed as an philanthropic collaboration, where both organisations contribute their strengths – FightMND bringing national purpose and advocacy, and Global Ballooning providing a highly visible, emotionally engaging platform that captures public attention during sunrise flights over Melbourne and regional Victoria.
The balloon itself becomes a moving symbol of hope and awareness, seen not only by passengers, but also by communities on the ground – helping to extend the reach of the Big Freeze campaign beyond stadiums and sporting moments into everyday skies.
At the centre of the story are Edward “Eddie” Saunders and Paterson “Pato” Saunders, part of Australia’s only fourth-generation aviation family, whose careers span elite international competition and extreme global adventure.
With more than 150,000 passengers flown over 34 years, Global Ballooning Australia continues to evolve – now driven by a new generation redefining what ballooning can be.
Eddie Saunders has cemented his position as one of Australia’s leading balloon pilots, recently claiming back-to-back Australian National Championship titles – winning against a field of 25 of the country’s top pilots.
In a standout result for the company, Global Ballooning pilots dominated the podium, with both brothers finishing among the top competitors:
• 1st Place – Eddie Saunders
• 3rd Place – Pato Saunders
This latest win reinforces Eddie’s growing reputation on the world stage, adding to an already impressive list of achievements, including:
• 1st Place – Saga International Balloon Fiesta Pacific Cup (Japan), winning against a field of 69 international pilots and becoming the first Australian to claim the prestigious title
• Top 10 – World Ballooning Championships, ranking among the best pilots globally
“Defending the national title is incredibly rewarding,” Eddie said. “Every competition pushes you further – it’s about precision, consistency, and constantly improving.”
While Eddie’s focus is competition, his brother Pato has taken ballooning to some of the most remote and challenging environments in the world.
Pato Saunders has built a career defined by global exploration, working across Europe, South America, the Middle East, and the polar regions. His experience includes:
• Tethering a hot air balloon from a nuclear icebreaker at the North Pole
• Supporting and guiding expeditions across the Arctic and Antarctica
• Delivering ballooning operations in complex and extreme conditions worldwide
“Ballooning can take you anywhere – that’s what’s always drawn me to it,” Pato said. “It’s about problem-solving, adventure, and making the impossible happen.”
Raised in a family deeply embedded in aviation, the Saunders brothers grew up around balloons – learning the craft from an early age and building careers that now span continents.
Together, they represent two distinct but complementary sides of modern ballooning:
• Eddie – competition, performance, and global rankings
• Pato – adventure, operations, and pushing geographic limits
Their combined experience reflects the evolution of Global Ballooning Australia, from a family-run business into a globally connected brand with deep expertise and ambition.
The launch of Global Ballooning Australia’s newest balloon is more than an expansion of the fleet – it represents the future of the business, shaped by innovation, experience, and a strong sense of purpose. Through its partnership with FightMND, the project demonstrates how aviation can be used as a force for good – creating visibility, conversation, and connection around a disease that continues to impact Australian families.
At its core, the Big Freeze beanie balloon is not just a balloon – it is a shared commitment to altruism, awareness, and action, designed to elevate the FightMND message far beyond traditional campaign channels and into the skies.
Operating sunrise flights over Melbourne, the Yarra Valley and Mansfield, the company remains one of Victoria’s leading ballooning operators, known for delivering premium experiences while continuing to push boundaries in the industry.
As the next generation steps forward, the Saunders brothers are ensuring that the spirit of adventure, family legacy, and purpose-driven aviation continues to rise.
Learn more about the FightMND cause and the Big Freeze Campaign here: https://fightmnd.org.au/
