Tribute to Prof Richard Scolyer
Professor Richard Scolyer, a distinguished cancer researcher and former Australian of the Year, has passed away at the age of 59. Scolyer was widely recognized for his pioneering contributions to immunotherapy and melanoma research.
Before his passing, Scolyer’s family shared a statement he wrote during the final stages of his illness, expressing gratitude to the Australian public and his supporters.
“My final message to all Australians is to say thank you for your outpouring of love and support for me and my family,”
Scolyer said.
“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,”
he added.
“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.”
Diagnosis and Treatment Journey
In May 2023, Prof Scolyer was diagnosed with grade-four inoperable brain cancer, specifically glioblastoma, and was given a prognosis of six to eight months to live. He underwent a series of novel immunotherapy treatments, which were a world first, successfully slowing the tumour’s growth until its recurrence in early 2025.
In March 2025, Scolyer publicly announced on his Facebook page that the cancer had progressed.
“Not the best day ever,”
he wrote. “There seems to be further progression of my brain tumour … Whilst it is a bit disappointing, in the big picture it’s not the end of the road and I’ve got more to do!”
Just a week prior, he had shared with his 150,000 followers that he was feeling “a bit anxious” about an upcoming brain scan. This scan was scheduled shortly before he was to participate in a four-day leg of the Tour de Cure charity cycling event in Tasmania, his birthplace and hometown.
Legacy and Recognition
Professor John Thompson from Sydney University praised Scolyer’s approachable and humble nature, describing him as a “cheery, down-to-earth ‘lad from Launceston’.”
“His stellar career in medicine and pathology research has produced huge benefits for countless cancer patients worldwide,”
Thompson said.
Scolyer and his colleague Georgina Long, co-medical director at Melanoma Institute Australia, were jointly honoured as Australian of the Year in 2024. This recognition celebrated their groundbreaking work on immunotherapy as a potential cure for advanced melanoma.
Throughout his career, Scolyer received numerous accolades, including nine New South Wales Premier’s Awards for Outstanding Research, among them the Wildfire Highly Cited Publication Award. In 2021, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his significant contributions to medical research.
