‘Real zest for life’: Tributes flow for pioneering cancer specialist, former Australian of the Year Richard Scolyer
Professor Richard Scolyer’s wife and children have paid emotional tributes to the pioneering cancer specialist and co-Australian of the Year, who died aged 59 on Sunday.
Family and friends of former Australian of the Year Richard Scolyer have paid tribute to the pioneering cancer specialist, following his death after a three-year battle with an aggressive brain cancer.
Professor Scolyer died at the age of 59 after a battle with glioblastoma, which he was diagnosed with in May 2023.
Following his glioblastoma diagnosis, Professor Scolyer, who was named co-Australian of the Year in 2024 alongside colleague Georgina Long, underwent a world-first treatment that they pioneered in treating melanomas.
In a tribute program aired on Channel 9 on Monday, Professor Scolyer’s wife Katie Nicoll said he wanted to live life to the fullest and was always devoted to his family.
“He had a real zest for life, (an) enthusiasm to give something a go, and I guess that’s carried through his whole life,” she said.
“He was very involved with the little things (with the kids) – packing sandwiches up, if they’re heading out for the day on a bike ride or something like that.”
Ms Nicoll added the legacy her husband leaves behind is simple, but powerful.
“His legacy is (for people) to get out there and have a go and do what you can.
“Whatever that is, give it a go.”
Professor Scolyer’s children also shared precious memories of their dad.
His daughter Emily said he always made his family his number-one priority.
“Even though he had such a busy life, he made the time to do something together that was important to us,” she said.
“Waking up for swimming training at 5am, Dad was always there to drive us.”
Daughter Lucy said she was grateful the world got to know what her dad was truly like.
“I know how great my dad is, and now everyone gets to see that too,” she said.
Professor Scolyer’s friend Jim Finlay said he recommended getting a melanoma spot checked out thoroughly, which he said “saved his life”.
“I had a melanoma on my ear, and I had it looked at and everyone (said it was) okay, but he saw it and said, ‘you’ve got to go see a doctor’,” he said.
“He saved my life. That’s a symptom of our friendship that I’m still here.”
He died while in palliative care at Concord in Sydney’s west, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse patient advocate Gail O’Brien said.
Professor Scolyer’s brother-in-law Chris Nicholl said the 59-year-old died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
“Richard was passionate, talented, selfless and loyal,” he said.
Vale Professor Richard Scolyer
“His family meant everything to him, and his passing has left a big hole in our lives.
He said Professor Scolyer’s life was “committed to science, medicine and his world-leading research into fighting melanoma”.
“He was an exceptional communicator and one of the world’s leading experts in his field, travelling the world to share his work and push the research forward.”
He said it was in May 2023 when Professor Scolyer’s first symptoms of brain cancer appeared.
“It was three years ago, just after presenting at a conference in Poland, that Richard first experienced his own symptoms of cancer,” he said.
“But rather than just accepting the terminal prognosis, he provided the same driven, interrogating, science-based attitude to his own cancer battle.”
He said the 59-year-old “candidly” shared his own experience with the “world-first treatment”.
“He challenged conventions, pursued funding, and for three years, while suffering through illness and impacts of his treatment, he rose daily without complaint and committed passionately to this cause.”
Mr Nicholl said his brother-in-law was “courageous” and “brave”, who worked tirelessly to ensure others battling cancer never felt alone.
“He was an inspiration to many thousands around the world,” he said.
“Richard was a great mentor to his children, who all share his and Katie’s thirst for knowledge and energy for life.
“They were, and remain, Richard’s biggest champions.”
State funeral confirmed for ‘extraordinary’ Professor Scolyer
Anthony Albanese described Professor Scolyer as one of the country’s “brightest lights” and “one of our biggest hearts”, and confirmed that Professor Scolyer would receive a state funeral.
“The hearts of all Australians go out to his wife, Dr Katie Nicholl, who I spoke with this morning and offered a state funeral for Professor Scolyer, which has been accepted,” he said.
“It also goes to their children, who they love so dearly, Emily, Matthew, and Lucy, Richard’s mother and father in Tasmania, brother Mark.”
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Mr Albanese said: “In his final letter, he left us with an incredible insight into what an extraordinary character he was.
“He said he wanted to be remembered as a proud everyday Aussie who gave it a crack but did so with humility, love, and compassion,” he said.
“He says this in his final letter: We all have a responsibility to try to change the future for others and leave the world a better place.
“The world is a better place because of Richard Scolyer’s contribution.
“That’s a contribution that will go on through the work done in his name but also the work that he has done, which advanced the cause of finding a cure in such a practical way.
“He continued to work right up until the very end, until it was impossible, but spent, as I spoke with Katie this morning, his final days with family still in good humour and with the strength, determination, and character that defined what is an extraordinary legacy.
Earlier on Monday, Mr Albanese said “we have lost one of our brightest lights and one of our biggest hearts”.
“As the joint 2024 Australian of the Year, Professor Scolyer took his place in the national spotlight with determination and purpose as he very publicly dealt with his glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer,” Mr Albanese wrote.
“Every day, this remarkable man – the cancer specialist who became his own subject – took us into his confidence, and he lifted us all in the process.”
Mr Albanese said Professor Scolyer’s journey was “difficult and confronting”.
“’My uncertain path’, as he termed it with characteristic understatement,” he said.
“Yet it was one he travelled with courage, determination, and a grace that never ceased to be remarkable.
“The way he shared it with us was an act of profound generosity.
“He showed us what it means to hope and to keep searching for solutions. He showed us how to stand firm against fear and stay true to yourself.
“Now Richard’s journey is done, yet his legacy will always be with us.
“The recently established Richard Scolyer Chair at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse proudly bears his name.
“And one day when a cure is found, Richard’s name will be spoken.
“The hearts of all Australians go out to his wife, Dr Katie Nicholl, and their children, Emily, Matthew and Lucy.
“And may Richard Scolyer rest in peace.”
Tributes flow for former Australian of the Year
In an online statement, former co-Australian of the Year winner Georgina Long said Professor Scolyer was a “cherished” colleague.
“I am deeply saddened to lose such a cherished colleague. Richard was a truly extraordinary pathologist – the ‘pathologists’ pathologist’ – who also made generous time for clinicians navigating complex diagnostic cases, understanding that an accurate tissue diagnosis was critical to patient care,” she said.
“His knowledge was vast, his skill exceptional, with an unparalleled eye for accurate tissue diagnoses, and the precision to apply decades of experience where it mattered most.
Professor Long said the 59-year-old “shared his expertise widely” through “consultation on external specimens” and “diagnostic and classification frameworks now used worldwide”, as well as working as a “devoted teacher and mentor”.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said Professor Scolyer was a “great Australian, a pioneering scientist, and an inspiring example of grace in his final years”.
“Because of Richard’s brilliant research, advanced melanoma went from a death sentence to a curable disease,” he said.
“As a result of that breakthrough, in a country with the highest melanoma rates on earth, thousands of Australians are alive today.”
Mr Minns said the country “got to know Richard as a man of warmth and hope”.
“He faced his disease with optimism, with a smile, and with a deep sense of purpose,“ he said.
“Just a few months ago, living with stage 4 brain cancer, he was still riding his bike through Tasmania, raising money for a cure.
“In the end, life is the ultimate legacy. And thanks to Richard Scolyer, Australians have been given more life, more time, more hope.
Our thoughts are with Richard’s loved ones. He will be deeply missed.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said Professor Scolyer “dedicated his life to cancer research becoming one of the world’s leading researchers in melanoma, improving the health outcomes of so many for generations to come”.
“I am so proud that to say that his work in the NSW health system including at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, formed just one chapter in his illustrious career,” he said.
“His legacy will remain in the lives changed and saved. My thoughts are with his family, loved ones and colleagues.”
Speaking to Today, Ms O’Brien said Professor Scolyer’s battle with cancer was “huge”, especially in the public eye.
“This is a huge battle, you know, personal loss and grief as well,” she said.
Ms O’Brien said his family would “have to make some very big decisions about how Richard is remembered”.
“I think this morning they will be surrounded by their family from Tasmania and that will keep them buoyed,” she said.
National Australia Day Council chair Nikki Govan and interim chief executive Todd Ashurst said they were “deeply saddened” by Professor Scolyer’s death.
“Richard led an extraordinary life and demonstrated incredible bravery that will improve the lives of others – the true hallmark of an Australian of the Year,” they said.
“He was an inspiration to us all, pioneering melanoma treatment, and through his own cancer journey – a legacy that will have a lasting impact on all Australians.
“It has been our privilege to honour his contribution.
‘Gave it a crack’
In an open letter published at midnight, Professor Scolyer said he wished to be “remembered as a proud everyday Aussie who ‘gave it a crack’”.
“My fellow Australians,” he began the letter.
“I pen this letter as a final goodbye to all those I have had the immense privilege of loving, sharing life’s adventures with, working alongside and meeting during what can only be described as a life filled with happiness, optimism, opportunity and passion.
“My intention is for this letter to be published upon my passing – as my final farewell.
“I’ve spent the last three years being open and honest about my journey with glioblastoma (brain cancer), in part to be transparent about what cancer patients and their families go through, and in part to provide hope and inspiration that we can and should continue to push boundaries to propel the cancer field forward.
“Having dedicated my 35-year working life to patient care, cancer research and improving lives, I wanted to keep contributing, even in my darkest hour.
“I am extremely proud of my impact – from my lifelong career as a world-leading melanoma pathologist and cancer researcher to being the first patient to receive experimental brain cancer treatment based on melanoma science I helped develop, followed by participation in development of a brain cancer clinical trial and advocacy for greater investment in brain cancer research.
“I sincerely hope the scientific data and awareness I have generated will provide a platform for others to build upon to ultimately make a difference for future cancer patients.
“I am perhaps lucky that the physical and cognitive impacts of the final stages of brain cancer mean that I am unlikely to have been aware of my own decline over these final weeks.
“I write this knowing that my wonderful family would have been by my side every minute, as they have been throughout my cancer journey. Like all families living with cancer, the impacts have been far wider than just on me.
“Since my diagnosis in May 2023, our family has been thrown challenges that we didn’t plan or want. But those same challenges have also drawn us closer and reinforced that family is everything.
“I cannot thank my beautiful wife Katie and my adored children Emily, Matthew and Lucy enough for their love, their support, their strength, and their compassion. They are shining examples of the best of humanity and make me extremely proud.
“Much love also to my elderly mum and dad in Tasmania, my brother Mark and many friends for their strength and support particularly during these recent years.
“My childhood was full of adventures built on “how”, not “if”, which set me on a path to being inquisitive and truly believing nothing is impossible.
“If you will allow me one final indulgence, composing this letter encouraged me to reflect proudly on my role in generating new evidence ultimately leading to lifesaving advances in melanoma diagnosis and treatment.
“I helped start what is now the world’s largest melanoma biobank, became the world’s most published melanoma pathologist authoring over 1000 research publications, and lectured hundreds of times at conferences across the globe.
“I am also proud to have held leadership roles at the American Joint Committee on Cancer and the World Health Organisation and many other international organisations.
“In addition to my roles in the development of breakthroughs in melanoma treatment, including immunotherapy, and the subsequent soaring of advanced melanoma survival rates, my mentoring of the next generation of clinical doctors (including pathologists) and cancer researchers has perhaps been the greatest reward to come from my lifework.
“I have always been driven by the belief that we all have a responsibility to try to change the future for others and leave the world a better place.
“I was incredibly humbled when the federal government recently named the chair in Brain Cancer Research at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in my honour.
“Such public accolades have never sat entirely comfortably with me, but I am delighted that much-needed brain cancer research will continue to be funded long after I have gone.
“To my research and clinical colleagues, I implore you to stay inquisitive and brave and keep striving to break new ground.
“To all cancer patients, I encourage you to consider enrolling in research and clinical trials, if on offer. And to government and the wider community, please keep funding science and medical research. This is the most impactful way that you too can make a difference.
“Perhaps the greatest lesson to come from these last three years is that cancer does not define us.
“It may be the current road we are travelling, but it is not our entire journey. A terminal cancer diagnosis does however provide clarity as to what truly matters.
“It shines a spotlight on the importance of relationships, on true friendship and on selflessness. Whilst cancer may not define us, our ability to empathise with and have compassion towards others does.
He issued a final message to Australians.
“Thankyou for your outpouring of love and support for me and my family,” he wrote.
“Those of you I met during my travels as joint 2024 Australian of the Year, my amazing online community which spans many countries, and of course my hometown Tasmanians – you’ve laughed with me, cried with me, and provided encouragement and support to keep going just when I needed it most.
“I haven’t sugar-coated my journey and I sincerely thank you for allowing me the space and opportunity to share it with you, warts and all.
“I hope I have in some small way made the road ahead easier and smoother for others.
“If my legacy was to continue beyond these words, I would be delighted and humbled to be remembered as a proud everyday Aussie who ‘gave it a crack’ and, in doing so, inspired others to pursue their dreams and passions with humility, love and compassion.
“With much love and gratitude, Richard.”
Source: https://www.news.com.au/national/gave-it-a-crack-former-australian-of-the-year-richard-scolyer-dies-at-age-59/news-story/f7a7058b27cbb438f7238b09040d4183