There is a special place in people’s hearts for those who sacrifice themselves for others.
Many of those hearts were beating as one at the Sydney Opera House on Monday, where thousands of ordinary Australians gathered with the great and good for the state memorial service of former Australian of the Year, the pathologist Professor Richard Scolyer. Tens of thousands more tuned in as the service was broadcast on television and radio.
Eulogies were delivered by vice regal and political leaders, colleagues, friends and family, and singers performed songs that sound tracked Scolyer’s life.
In recent times, it is rare that a state funeral has united so many in honouring an Australian life. A similar event for Labor powerbroker Graham Richardson last December was polarising, with those who turned up celebrating his contribution to public life, but many others were indignant over the adulation of a dealmaker embroiled in scandals and corruption.
But everybody was united behind Scolyer, who exemplified a kind of nobility that lifted us all.
Yet, just over three years ago, he was little known outside the medical and cancer research communities.
Back then, Scolyer was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour after falling ill while holidaying in Europe in May 2023. He agreed to try a risky experimental treatment proposed by Professor Georgina Long – his fellow co-medical director at the Melanoma Institute Australia.
He ignored the standard treatment of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy to tackle his cancer and instead trialled what they had learnt while successfully treating patients with advanced melanoma.
He also took Australians along with him on his courageous journey searching for a cure.
Scolyer’s public profile rose as he and Long were named 2024 Australians of the Year. That October, his memoir Brainstorm (written with the Herald’s Garry Maddox) was a bestseller, he posted regular updates on social media about his treatment and he gave emotional interviews about how he wanted to “have a crack” at changing brain cancer treatment.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the state memorial service that Scolyer’s decision not to retreat from the public eye, but to share his health battles, was a courageous act of profound generosity.
“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. Richard travelled his uncertain path with determination and a grace that never ceased to be quite extraordinary,” Albanese said.
The disease did not return in the months after surgery, but oncologists thought it was too early to make a call. In the autumn of 2025, Scolyer announced the cancer had returned. He died last month.
Before the state memorial service, a Tour de Cure peloton cycled from Martin Place to the Opera House, a reminder that despite his personal trials, Scolyer stoically started fundraising for cancer research primarily through cycling events with the charity and took part in many gruelling rides, including 500 kilometres through Tasmania over four days last March, his last ride.
Scolyer was a great Australian. He chose to lead by example and through his own unselfish bravery donated his life to give people living with cancer and their loved ones that most precious gift, hope.
The Herald’s View – Since the Herald was first published in 1831, the editorial team has believed it important to express a considered view on the issues of the day for readers, always putting the public interest first.
