Legacy comes in many forms. At Professor Richard Scolyer’s emotional state memorial service at the Sydney Opera House on Monday, it was clear that his bright, articulate children are as much a part of the former Australian of the Year’s legacy as his outstanding achievements in pathology, medical research and cancer treatment.
Emily, 22, Matthew, 20, and Lucy, 18, were among the speakers at a warm-hearted event that included tributes by Governor-General Sam Mostyn, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Premier Chris Minns and Scolyer’s wife, Dr Katie Nicoll.
The service, which followed Scolyer’s death last month at the age of 59, three years after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, was full of moving reflections on the life of a world-renowned pathologist and cancer researcher described by Albanese as “a national treasure”.
“In the great constellation of the Australian story, Richard was, without question, one of our brightest stars,” he said. “A medical revolutionary in the service of humanity. A man of courage, curiosity, generosity and kindness. A man grounded in the love of his family.”
A highlight of the service was a joint eulogy by his children – all three of whom are heading for careers in medicine and health.
Even considering his professional achievements, which included pioneering treatments as co-medical director of Melanoma Institute Australia with Professor Georgina Long, his fellow 2024 Australian of the Year, Scolyer was always a proud father.
“Our dad achieved a lot of amazing things in his life, from his countless professional successes to competing in triathlon and multisport at an international level,” Emily said. “But somehow, he still always said we were his greatest achievement.
“We’re not sure how true this is – we can’t really compete with being awarded Australian of the Year – but we treasure every moment we spent with dad.”
Matthew spoke about his father’s goal of reaching his 250th Parkrun – the community event he loved doing on Saturday mornings – after his devastating glioblastoma diagnosis in 2023 and recurrence early last year. Flanked by a record number of runners, Scolyer achieved his goal in Sydney’s inner west just over a year ago.
“As with everything, dad surpassed even his own expectations,” Matthew said. “His final Parkrun was his 283rd, which he walked hand-in-hand with mum in March before his health began to decline.”
Lucy remembered her dad entering her in a triathlon when she was a five-year-old with training wheels still on her bike.
“As the whistle blew, I watched the older 12-year-old girls in my race run off into the water and the idea of doing a whole triathlon became overwhelming,” she said. “I started to cry. Dad, watching from the sand, noticed my tears straight away and took my hand and waded out with me into the water, still in his clothes, once again becoming my personal cheer squad.
“Despite coming dead last, dad was so proud of me that day.”
Anecdotes about camping trips, Aussie rules football games, swimming pool visits, family videos, card games and “dad’s terrible singing voice” were warmly received in a room that reflected the other sides to Scolyer’s life – medicine, research, sport and, occasionally, politics.
Albanese, who announced a $5.9 million grant to establish the Richard Scolyer Chair in Brain Cancer Research at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse last year, was joined at the service by ministers Jim Chalmers, Mark Butler and Jason Clare, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor and NSW Governor Margaret Beazley.
Even before the ceremony began, there were tears from some of the Tour de Cure riders who took part in a ceremonial cycle from Martin Place to the Opera House. Scolyer had joined them in cancer fundraising rides from 2023 right up to March this year, when he cycled 500 kilometres through Tasmania in four days, even as cancer began to steal away his mind and body.
Scolyer’s bike, Australian age group triathlon suit, awards, Sydney Swans scarf, ugg boots, skin cancer awareness Game On Mole and 250th Parkrun T-shirts – he was a famously daggy dresser out of hours – were among the items from his life on stage during the service.
There were sniffles in the audience during moving musical performances by Peter Garrett, Martin Rotsey and Freyja Garbett, then Kate Miller-Heidke. And more when tributes were read out from cancer patients who followed Scolyer’s regular social media posts during his treatment.
Mostyn described him as a “beautiful, remarkable Australian” whose “radical, inspiring honesty and openness” after his cancer diagnosis, was a lasting gift.
“His commitment to – and advocacy for – his profession, coupled with his unbounded enthusiasm for life, his empathy and his humanity, resonated broadly and has left a lasting legacy.”
A lasting legacy that includes three children who shone on a difficult, emotional day.
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