Richard Scolyer, a pioneer of cancer research, has been remembered for his “truly remarkable life” in a state memorial service at the Sydney Opera House.
The former Australian of the Year recipient died aged 59 on June 7 after a three-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Thousands of mourners poured into the city’s iconic landmark to farewell Professor Scolyer and pay tribute to his legacy as a world leader in melanoma and brain cancer treatment.
Australian of the Year 2024, Richard Scolyer, died in June. (Australian Story: Keana Naughton)
Inside the service, cherished mementos were displayed including his bike and park run shirt to celebrate his love of cycling and running.
Other items included his AO medal and his joint Australian of the Year award placed beside his akubra, as well as a microscope and a tongue-in-cheek shirt with the slogan “Game on Mole” in a nod to his ground-breaking contribution to melanoma science.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn, NSW Premier Chris Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese were among the dignitaries to lead tributes.
Anthony Albanese speaks at the memorial for Richard Scolyer. (ABC News: Floss Adams)
Mr Albanese described Professor Scolyer as a “national treasure”, who lived a “truly remarkable life”.
“In the great constellation of the Australian story, Richard was without question one of our brightest stars,” the prime minister said.Loading…’Courageous’ patient and scientist
Professor Scolyer’s best friend of 40 years, Jim Finlay, said he was one of the lucky few “to have known the unprofessional Richard Scolyer” and described him as a loyal, fun-loving friend.
Jim Finlay was a friend of Richard Scolyer’s for more than 40 years. (ABC News: Floss Adams)
Leading melanoma surgeon and researcher John Thompson said it was a time to celebrate his colleague and friend’s remarkable achievements.
He also pointed out just how brave it was for Professor Scolyer to take part in a world-first treatment during his brain cancer battle, which involved undergoing immunotherapy before having a brain tumour removed.
“With typical determination and acutely aware of the science involved, Richard courageously volunteered for a very risky form of treatment that had never been tried for brain tumours before, in the hope others benefit from the information obtained.
“Although he ultimately succumbed, he survived much longer than normally expected.
“He was one of my closest friends and I shall miss him greatly.”
Kate Miller-Heidke performed The Last Day on Earth accompanied by piano. (ABC News: Floss Adams)
There were live performances from Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett, as well as from Kate Miller-Heidke who sang The Last Day on Earth accompanied by piano.
Midnight Oil’s Peter Garrett sang at the memorial. (ABC News: Floss Adams)
‘We will love and miss him forever’
Professor Scolyer’s wife Katie Nicholl delivered an emotional speech, reflecting on their 24 years together.
She remembered how on their first date, Professor Scolyer showed up to her house unannounced with two bikes and proposed they go on an adventure for the day.
Richard Scolyer’s wife Katie Nicholl recalled their first date. (ABC News: Floss Adams)
“This is a wonderful metaphor of our life together,” she said.
“We headed out and spent hours together laughing and having so much fun, and we were pretty much inseparable since then.”
She credited Professor Scolyer as an amazing father who was “funny and cheeky and mischievous and fun”.
“He was kind and he loved sharing life with others,” she said.
“He worked hard and was extremely determined. When he put his mind to something, Rich gave it his all.
“We will love and miss him forever, but when I look at his life and the people he shared it with, it was wonderful.”
Children remember inspiring, hands on dad
Professor Scolyer’s three children, Matthew, Emily and Lucy gave the final eulogy. (ABC News: Floss Adams)
Professor Scolyer’s three children, Matthew, Emily and Lucy, said their dad was incredibly special and he would continue to inspire them every day.
“Our dad was the best dad we could have ever asked for,” Lucy said.
“We’re so lucky to call him my dad.”
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Matthew said their dad was the most kind and generous person they knew.
“Dad was always there for us and never failed to make us smile or laugh,” Matthew said.
“He taught us everything we know and we will strive to make him proud for the rest of our lives.”
To conclude the service, a clip was played of Professor Scolyer and his family as they reflected on his cancer journey and their life together.
As a leading melanoma pathologist, Professor Scolyer chose to publicly document his radical treatment to contribute to cancer research.
He was the first to adopt an approach used in melanoma-based cancer treatment and apply this to his brain cancer.
The risky treatment involved being “patient zero” in receiving immunotherapy before undergoing surgery.
The treatment extended his life for years despite a prognosis of months and he went on to complete 200 park runs and the Tasmanian leg of the 1,400-kilometre Tour de Cure bike ride.
Look back at our live coverage of the service.
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 1:14pm
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 1:14pm
Thank you for joining us
This is where our live coverage of Richard Scolyer’s memorial ends. Thank you for joining us.
Vale Richard Scolyer. (ABC News)Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 12:39pm
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 12:39pm
Scolyer’s iconic moments in lifeMon 13 Jul 2026 at 12:33pm
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 12:33pmMon 13 Jul 2026 at 12:33pm
Watch: Cancer survivors, families pay tributeLoading…
Louise Owen, Marcus Byard and Maree Pinnington have read tributes from people with cancer, survivors and their families.
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 12:30pm
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 12:30pm
Scolyer’s children share treasured memories
Richard Scolyer’s children have recounted their favourite memories. (ABC News: Floss Adams)
Scolyer’s three children, Matthew, Emily and Lucy, say their dad was incredibly special.
They said that despite all his accolades, Scolyer always said his proudest achievement was his three children.
“A true Tasmanian, dad loved sharing his appreciation of the outdoors with us,” they said.
They said he loved a vanilla slice, loved a bush walk, a wagon wheel, a park run and more.
Scolyer spoke avidly about his love and pride for his family. (Supplied: Richard Scolyer)
“Our dad was the best dad we could ever ask for. And he continues to inspire us every day. We’re so lucky to call him our dad.
“He was the most kind, funny, loving and cheekiest person we knew. Dad was always there for us and never failed to make us smile or laugh. He taught us everything we know and we will strive to make him proud for the rest of our lives.”
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 12:25pm
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 12:25pm
Scolyer and his wife’s love story
Katie says that for their first date, Scolyer turned up at her doorstep unannounced with two bikes and suggested they go on an adventure for the day.
“We were pretty much inseparable since then,” she said.
“I think this is a wonderful metaphor of our life together.”
Richard and Katie pictured in Tasmania. (ABC News: Owain Stia James)
Katie credited Scolyer as an amazing father and said his kindness and sense of adventure has rubbed off on them.
“Richard was so proud of Emily, Matthew and Lucy and delighted in spending time with them.
“He loved sharing life with others. He worked hard and was extremely determined … Richard has gone way too soon and we will miss and love him forever. But when I look at his life and the people he shared it with, it was wonderful. I feel so lucky to have had 24 amazing years with Rich.”
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 12:18pm
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 12:18pm
Scolyer’s ability to make friends was uncanny
Scolyer’s wife Katie is now speaking.
Scolyer’s wife Dr Katie Nicoll is speaking of their love story. (ABC News: Floss Adams)
She said Scolyer loved making friends and loved to connect with people.
Katie said Scolyer would simply introduce himself to random pockets of people and make cherished friends, recounting many examples from meeting members of his local park run at Sydney’s Bay Run to meeting the prime minister at an Indian restaurant in their neighbourhood.
“Some of Richard’s best friends were made with the inclination to say hi,” she said.
“He just had an amazing ability to walk up, say hi and start a conversation.”
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 12:10pm
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 12:10pm
Musical performance by Kate Miller-Heidke
There’s not a dry eye in the concert hall as Kate Miller-Heidke performs The Last Day on Earth accompanied by the piano.
Kate Miller-Heidke sang her song to the concert hall. (ABC News: Floss Adams)Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 12:08pm
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 12:08pm
Scolyer service: IN PICTURESMon 13 Jul 2026 at 12:03pm
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 12:03pm
Scolyer’s Tour de Cure legacy
Scolyer completed the Tasmanian leg of the 1,400-kilometre Tour de Cure bike ride in March, cycling 500km in four days despite being in the final stages of his battle with incurable brain cancer.
To learn more about Scolyer’s Tour de Cure legacy — which involved raising $46,062 for the charity’s 2026 signature tour — you can read here:
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 12:00pm
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 12:00pm
A brilliant scientific mind
John Thompson speaks of his colleague and friend. (ABC News: Floss Adams)
John Thompson, who the ABC spoke to prior to the service starting, has shared even more incredible memories of Scolyer.
He said although today was a sad occasion, it was a time to celebrate his colleague and friend’s remarkable achievements.
He also pointed out just how brave it was for Scolyer to take part in a world-first treatment during his brain cancer battle, which involved undergoing immunotherapy before having a brain tumour removed.
“With typical determination and acutely aware of the science involved, Richard courageously volunteered for a very risky form of treatment that had never been tried for brain tumours before, in the hope others benefit from the information obtained.
“Although he ultimately succumbed, he survived much longer than normally expected … He was one of my closest friends and I shall miss him greatly.”
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 11:53am
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 11:53am
Scolyer lived to the fullest, says best friend
Scolyer’s best friend Finlay said as they got older they found a shared passion for exercise and triathlons.
Finlay became emotional as he said they had wished to do an Iron Man together one day.
He paid tribute to Scolyer’s family, who he considered part of his own. He ended his emotional eulogy with a passage from American author Jack London:
“I would rather be ashes than dust. I would rather my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by a dry rot. I’d rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me a magnificent glow than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live not to exist. I shall not waste my days. I shall use my time.”
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 11:49am
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 11:49am
Jim was ‘one of the lucky few’ to know the personal Scolyer
Jim Finlay and Scolyer were best friends, having grown up together in Launceston.
Finlay has reminisced about their high school days together, saying they were there for each other through life’s ups and downs.
“I’m one of the lucky few to have known the unprofessional Richard Scolyer,” Finlay said.
Jim Finlay says his best friend was the best bloke. (ABC News: Floss Adams)
They studied at university together, and Finlay reminiscenced about their trips away together over the years.
“Rich had a massive problem convincing people he was a doctor,” Finlay said of their nights out on the town in Gold Coast.
So instead, he would introduce himself to people on the nights out as ‘Rich, the dolphin trainer from Sea World’.
They were best friends for 40 years (ABC News)Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 11:40am
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 11:40am
Scolyer was a Midnight Oil fan
Peter Garrett performed a musical tribute. (ABC News: Floss Adams)
Peter Garrett, Martin Rotsey and Freyja Garbett are now giving a musical tribute.
Garrett told the service’s attendees that it was incredible to have found out Scolyer was such a fan of Midnight Oil.
Garrett is leading the tribute with the track Everybody from his solo release The True North.
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 11:36am
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 11:36am
‘The most generous, most unpretentious mentor’Loading…
NSW Premier Chris Minns has said many Australians first came across Scolyer via an interview he did on Australian Story in 2023.
But to many of Scolyer’s colleagues, they had marvelling at his work for some years already.
“From all reports he was one of the most generous, most unpretentious mentors you could find at the height of academia,” Minns said.
Chris Minns recounted Scolyer’s remarkable career. (ABC News: Floss Adams)
Minns pointed to the fact that following Scolyer’s death, the Melanoma Institute of Australia set up a condolences page where members of the public could share their messages of reflection.
“Hundreds and hundreds of people did just that,” he said.
“[One of the messages said:] To Richard. I’m a 10-year survivor of stage four melanoma thanks to the institute’s work. The world is a better place because of you.”
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 11:28am
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 11:28am
Prime minister gives eulogy for Scolyer
Anthony Albanese said Scolyer was a national treasure. (ABC News: Floss Adams)
Anthony Albanese is now at the podium, saying it is “an honour” to speak of Scolyer’s legacy.
He described him as a “national treasure”.
“In the great constellation of the Australian story, Richard was without question one of our brightest stars,” the prime minister said.
“He was a man of courage, curiosity, generosity and kindness. A man grounded in the love of his family.”
He said Australia was “mourning a life cut far too short”.
“Richard shared his triumphs and his setbacks, he allowed himself the gift of hope and whenever that hope was dimmed he let us see the strength of his character.”
Albanese said it had been a privilege of his time as prime minister to spend time with Scolyer.
“I got to count him as a friend, and for a happy stretch of my life as a neighbour and for that I feel blessed.”
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 11:26am
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 11:26am
Condolence books filled with beautiful tributes
Messages are being penned for Scolyer’s family in multiple condolence books laid out inside the Sydney Opera House.
Thousands are expected to attend the service. (ABC News: Floss Adams)
Members of the public were also offered tickets to the service. (ABC News: Floss Adams)
Attendees penned touching tributes. (ABC News)Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 11:18am
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 11:18am
Scolyer was ‘truly extraordinary’ says governor-general
Sam Mostyn has shared her memories of Scolyer. (ABC News: Floss Adams)
The governor-general of Australia Sam Mostyn is now speaking.
“He connected with all of us,” Mostyn said.
She said she first met Scolyer during 2024 when he was made co-Australian of the Year. She said as a fellow “tragic AFL supporter” and Sydney inner-west local, she knew of Scolyer very well, not to mention his research.
“As one of the world’s melanoma pathologists, he has been described by many colleagues as truly extraordinary.”
She reflected on the time that Scolyer presented Queen Camilla and King Charles on their visit to Australia with akubras.
“I know it meant a great deal … I saw His Majesty put his Akubra on for the rest of his visit here in Australia,” she said.
“This meeting was of course very poignant, with both men understanding the impact of a cancer diagnosis on their own lives.”
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 11:13am
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 11:13am
How Scolyer gave hope to many
Hamish Macdonald spoke of Scolyer’s legacy. (ABC News: Floss Adams)
“How do you give back to somebody who has given so much?” Macdonald asks.
“His work contributed to saving many thousands of lives. A visionary whose courage and determination transformed his own terminal cancer diagnosis into hope.
“Above all that he was a loving husband, a dad, a son, a brother and a friend.”
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 11:08am
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 11:08am
Service begins
The service has begun. (ABC News)
Hamish Macdonald, who is the MC for the service, has paid tribute to Scolyer’s parents, older brother, his children — Emily, Matthew and Lucy — and his wife Katie Nicholl.
Macdonald has noted that Scolyer’s care team is also present at the service, who gave him incredible medical support in his final years.
Councillor Yvonne Weldon has also given a poignant Welcome to Country, and the Australian anthem is now being performed.
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 11:04am
Mon 13 Jul 2026 at 11:04am
Cherished mementos on displayShow more posts