Richard Scolyer, cancer researcher and former Australian of the year, dies aged 59

Dr Richard Scolyer, the eminent pathologist and melanoma expert, was diagnosed with grade-four inoperable brain cancer. Photograph: James Gourley/The Guardian View image in fullscreen Dr Richard Scolyer, the eminent pathologist and melanoma expert, was diagnosed with grade-four inoperable brain cancer. Photograph: James Gourley/The Guardian Richard Scolyer, cancer researcher and former Australian of the year, dies aged 59 Scolyer, who did pioneering work on immunotherapy, was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer in 2023 Prof Richard Scolyer, the world-renowned cancer researcher and former Australian of the year, has died at the age of 59. Scolyer’s family shared a statement the eminent pathologist and melanoma expert penned before his final stages of illness. “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 in the statement. “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 said. “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.” Scolyer was diagnosed with grade-four inoperable brain cancer and told he had six to eight months to live in May 2023. In a world first, he underwent a series of novel immunotherapy treatments, successfully slowing the growth of the glioblastoma until its return in early 2025. In March, Scolyer announced via 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!” A week earlier, he had told his 150,000 followers that he was a “bit anxious” about the brain scan, which was scheduled shortly before he was due to take part in a four-day leg of the Tour de Cure charity cycling event in Tasmania, where he was born and grew up. Professor John Thompson of Sydney University hailed Prof Scolyer’s “cheery, down-to-earth ‘lad from Launceston’ personality”. “His stellar career in medicine and pathology research has produced huge benefits for countless cancer patients worldwide,” he said. Scolyer and his co-medical director at Melanoma Institute Australia, Georgina Long, were jointly made Australian of the Year in 2024 in recognition of their work on immunotherapy as a cure for advanced melanoma.