Richard Scolyer's State Memorial Service: Tributes and Tributes

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New South Wales

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Scolyer was a Midnight Oil fan

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By Isabella Ross

Peter Garrett, Martin Rotsey and Freyja Garbett are now giving a musical tribute.

Garrett told the service's attendees that it was incredible to have found out Scolyer was such a fan of Midnight Oil.

Garrett is leading the tribute with the track Everybody from his solo release The True North.

'The most generous, most unpretentious mentor'

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By Isabella Ross

NSW Premier Chris Minns has said many Australians first came across Scolyer via an interview he did on Australian Story in 2023.

But to many of Scolyer's colleagues, they had marvelling at his work for some years already.

"From all reports he was one of the most generous, most unpretentious mentors you could find at the height of academia," Minns said.

Minns pointed to the fact that following Scolyer's death, the Melanoma Institute of Australia set up a condolences page where members of the public could share their messages of reflection.

"Hundreds and hundreds of people did just that," he said.

"[One of the messages said:] To Richard. I'm a 10-year survivor of stage four melanoma thanks to the institute's work. The world is a better place because of you."

Prime minister gives eulogy for Scolyer

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By Isabella Ross

Anthony Albanese is now at the podium, saying it is "an honour" to speak of Scolyer's legacy.

He described him as a "national treasure".

"In the great constellation of the Australian story, Richard was without question one of our brightest stars," the prime minister said.

"He was a man of courage, curiosity, generosity and kindness. A man grounded in the love of his family."

He said Australia was "mourning a life cut far too short".

"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."

Albanese said it had been a privilege of his time as prime minister to spend time with Scolyer.

"I got to count him as a friend, and for a happy stretch of my life as a neighbour and for that I feel blessed."

Condolence books filled with beautiful tributes

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By Isabella Ross

Messages are being penned for Scolyer's family in multiple condolence books laid out inside the Sydney Opera House.

Scolyer was 'truly extraordinary' says governor-general

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By Isabella Ross

The governor-general of Australia Sam Mostyn is now speaking.

"He connected with all of us," Mostyn said.

She said she first met Scolyer during 2024 when he was made co-Australian of the Year. She said as a fellow "tragic AFL supporter" and Sydney inner-west local, she knew of Scolyer very well, not to mention his research.

"As one of the world's melanoma pathologists, he has been described by many colleagues as truly extraordinary."

She reflected on the time that Scolyer presented Queen Camilla and King Charles on their visit to Australia with akubras.

"I know it meant a great deal ... I saw His Majesty put his Akubra on for the rest of his visit here in Australia,"

"This meeting was of course very poignant, with both men understanding the impact of a cancer diagnosis on their own lives."

How Scolyer gave hope to many

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By Isabella Ross

"How do you give back to somebody who has given so much?" Macdonald asks.

"His work contributed to saving many thousands of lives. A visionary whose courage and determination transformed his own terminal cancer diagnosis into hope.

"Above all that he was a loving husband, a dad, a son, a brother and a friend."

Service begins

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By Isabella Ross

Hamish Macdonald, who is the MC for the service, has paid tribute to Scolyer's parents, older brother, his children — Emily, Matthew and Lucy — and his wife Katie Nicholl.

Macdonald has noted that Scolyer's care team is also present at the service, who gave him incredible medical support in his final years.

Councillor Yvonne Weldon has also given a poignant Welcome to Country, and the Australian anthem is now being performed.

Cherished mementos on display

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By Isabella Ross

Inside the service, there are mementos of Scolyer's on display.

Cherished items include his Australian of the Year award, his bike and his Park Run shirt.

Flags at half-mast for Scolyer

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By Luke Royes

As a mark of mourning and respect, flags have been be flown at half-mast across New South Wales in honour of Scolyer.

Dignitaries arrive for service

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By Luke Royes

Federal and state politicians have arrived ahead of the service beginning soon.

Scolyer's final farewell

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By Luke Royes

An open letter from Richard Scolyer to "all Australians" was released the day after his death.

In it, he said he lived a life "filled with happiness, optimism, opportunity and passion", paid tribute to those he worked with and offered words to cancer patients.

"Perhaps the greatest lesson to come from these last three years is that cancer does not define us."

Scolyer finished his letter encouraging Australian's to make the most of their lives.

"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."

State service 'entirely fitting for great Australian'

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By Isabella Ross

John Thompson is Emeritus Professor of Melanoma and Surgical Oncology at The University of Sydney.

The professor is one of the speakers providing a eulogy at the service today, and he and Scolyer were colleagues at the Melanoma Institute of Australia.

"He was one of my best friends."

"He was a respected, special colleague but just the most amazing person and someone I'd known for 30 years since he was a very junior pathologist."

Thompson credited Scolyer's intellect and drive, saying a state memorial service is "entirely fitting" for the "great Australian".

What to expect from the state service

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By Isabella Ross

During the service, tributes and eulogies will be delivered by the Governor-General Sam Mostyn, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, NSW Premier Chris Minns, and the family and friends of Scolyer.

Councillor Yvonne Weldon will perform a Welcome to Country and the Australian National Anthem will be sung by Georgina Hopson.

Peter Garrett AO will perform a song with Martin Rotsey and Freyja Garbett. There will also be a live performance by Kate Miller-Heidke.

In lieu of flowers, donations were encouraged to the Brain Cancer Group and Chris O'Brien Lifehouse.

Scolyer a 'rock star' in the eyes of friends

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By Isabella Ross

Clint Bowen rode with Scolyer throughout multiple Tour de Cure rides, which raise critical funds for cancer research.

Ahead of today's service, Tour de Cure friends of Scolyer did a ride of their own to commemorate Scolyer's life, riding from Martin Place to Circular Quay.

"It's all about Rich ... we've got about 80 riders and 20 support walkers coming in."

"A really good turn out for who was a good friend and we really miss him a lot."

Bowen described Scolyer as a "rock star" and someone who was deeply kind.

Scolyer, the esteemed researcher

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By Isabella Ross

Born in December 1966, Scolyer grew up in Launceston, Tasmania. He had a happy childhood playing footy, swimming, and riding bikes on caravanning holidays with his parents and older brother.

He was a pioneer of cancer research, an exercise enthusiast and a family man.

Scolyer, a pathologist and a world authority on skin cancer and melanoma diagnosis, had been credited with contributing to saving "thousands of lives from melanoma".

In 2024, Scolyer and a fellow esteemed professor, Georgina Long, were each named Australian of the Year for their work as melanoma treatment pioneers.

A year earlier, Scolyer was diagnosed with incurable Grade 4 brain cancer.

He chose to document his condition and treatment, sharing every step of the journey with the public.

This included undertaking a world-first treatment, involving undergoing immunotherapy before having a brain tumour removed.

Scolyer died on June 7, surrounded by loved ones.

You can read more about Scolyer's life here:

Members of the public attend service

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By Isabella Ross

Public tickets for the service were exhausted within hours of being released on June 29.

Member of the public Gai Alderson arrived early for the service and had been following Scolyer's cancer journey and wished to pay her respects.

"I had a melanoma taken off my ear years ago ... and have been involved in the melanoma community," she said, noting Scolyer's role as a world authority on skin cancer and melanoma diagnosis.

"I just wanted to come and say goodbye. I only met him briefly to say hello [at a book signing], but I just feel so sorry for him and it's so terrible.

"He was wonderful."