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.
Good morning and welcome to Monday’s coverage of the day’s news. Scientist and former Australian of the year Richard Scolyer has died after a lengthy public battle with brain cancer.
He was 59. Today is the King’s Birthday public holiday in the ACT, New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria, with top honours to mark the day awarded to Natasha Stott Despoja, Will Hodgman and Terence Tao.