Professor Richard Scolyer remembered as a ‘national treasure’ at state memorial service
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Pioneering Australian pathologist Professor Richard Scolyer has been remembered as a “national treasure” and a man who loved life at a memorial service attended by thousands of people.
More than 2500 people gathered at the Sydney Opera House on Monday including his family, friends, colleagues, members of the public and Australian leaders.
Peter Garrett AO, Martin Rotsey and Freyja Garbett perform at the State Memorial Service for Professor Richard Scolyer AO at the Sydney Opera House. Sydney Morning Herald
The leading melanoma pathologist died at age of 59 on June 7 after a three-year battle with glioblastoma.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the tributes, describing Scolyer as a “national treasure” and “a man grounded in the love of his family”.
“What a truly remarkable life it was,” Albanese said.
“In the great constellation of the Australian story, Richard was without question one of our brightest stars.
“A medical revolutionary in the service of humanity, a man of courage, curiosity, generosity and kindness.
“We mourn a life cut far too short, while we also give thanks to every life extended and every life still being lived thanks to the work in which he was such a central part.”
He is survived by wife Dr Katie Nicoll, and their three children, Emily, Matthew and Lucy.
Nicoll said her late husband had a special ability to put people at ease and some of his best friends were made with the inclination to say hi.
“He just had an amazing ability to walk up, say hi and start a conversation,” she said.
“I think Rich pretty much applied this approach to everything in his life, it was always worth having a go.
“For our first date, Richard turned up unannounced at my doorstep with two bikes and proposed we go on an adventure for the day.
Dr Katie Nicoll said her late husband had a special ability to put people at ease. 9News
“I think this is a wonderful metaphor of our life together.
“We headed out and spent hours together, laughing and having so much fun, and we were pretty much inseparable since then.”
His children said he was “the best dad we could ever ask for”.
“He continues to inspire us every day, we’re so lucky to call him our dad,” his children said.
“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.”
Richard Scolyer’s children Matthew, Emily and Lucy paid tribute to their dad. 9News
Governor-General Sam Mostyn described him as a man she had admired for many years.
“As one of the world’s leading melanoma pathologists, he’s been described by many colleagues as truly extraordinary, a pathologist’s pathologist, and a devoted teacher and mentor to so very many,” Mostyn said.
“So it’s not surprising when his majesty King Charles III visited Australia in October 2024, it was the Melanoma Institute where he chose to spend time with Professor Scolyer and the exceptional, world-renowned and multidisciplinary team gathered there.
“It was a very special afternoon with Richard shining an international spotlight on melanoma and Australia’s world-leading advances across detection, diagnosis and treatment.
“I know it meant a great deal to King Charles and Queen Camilla that Richard presented their majesties with Akubras underscoring his mantra of prevention and sun safety.
“I saw his majesty put that Akubra on for the rest of his visit here in Australia.”
Mostyn said the meeting was poignant for both men who understood the impact of a cancer diagnosis on their own lives.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks at the state memorial service for Professor Richard Scolyer AO at the Sydney Opera House. Sydney Morning Herald
“In April this year Richard shared the unforgettable moment he received a handwritten letter from King Charles, where his majesty inquired about Richard’s brain cancer journey,” she said.
“It would’ve been a heartfelt request and inquiry from his majesty.”
Scolyer’s favourite band, Midnight Oil, artist Freyja Garbett and singer Kate Miller-Heidke performed at the service.
His best friend Jim Finlay shared memories from their high school days in Tasmania.
“The one thing that strikes me is I think people only knew the very professional Richard Scolyer,” Finlay said.
“I’m one of the lucky few to have known the unprofessional Richard Scolyer.
“He was simply a bloody good bloke and my best friend.”
Scolyer’s best friend Jim Finlay shared memories from their high school days. 9News
The pair had first met 40 years ago at Launceston Matriculation College in 1984, where Scolyer was “one of the lads” and had “hundreds of friends”.
“Everyone knew who Rich was,” he said.
“Rich was a bit of a fashion guru back then.
“The first thing I noticed about him was his uniform, the same uniform we’d invariably see on him for the next seven or eight years - flannelette shirt, tracky dacks, footy socks and sandshoes.
“Rich didn’t give a rats what anyone thought about what he wore and that was pretty much the daily garb.
“The other thing about Rich that I remember from that year was that he started a bit of a trend.
“One day I looked outside and just noticed him bouncing this tennis ball, talking to his mates.
“Three or four weeks later, there were at least a dozen blokes out there bouncing balls, throwing them around.
“That was Rich the trendsetter.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns said Scolyer’s work had touched so many people personally.
“Many people, particularly those at the top of their game, tend to dwell on the legacy that they’ll leave, and that’s particularly the case as the end draws near,” Minns said.
“But that’s something Richard never had to do.
“When Richard died, the Melanoma Institute opened a tribute page where anyone in the country could leave a message.
“I can report to you that hundreds and hundreds of people did just that.”
Minns gave one example of a father who was given more time with his son.
“‘In 2020’, the dad says, ‘our son was diagnosed with stage four melanoma’.
“’He was given just months to live, but in a last throw of the dice, they arranged to try immunotherapy.
“’They were told it was just a 10 per cent chance of success, and maybe even less than that.
“’Well, fast forward several months, multiple operations, multiple doses of the treatment, and then the dreaded follow-up scans.
“And I’ll go back to quoting the dad, ’I can still hear his oncologist’s shouting voice over the phone saying to my son, ‘It worked, it worked! You are going to live.’ My son is now cancer-free, married, living the life that we never thought he’d have.’”
At the conclusion of the memorial service, Scolyer’s final words to Australia were projected onto the screen.
“Enjoy your life and contribute to the things you are passionate about,” he said.
“The questions you ask and the courage you show can change lives.
“With love and gratitude, Richard.”
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