World-renowned melanoma pathologist Richard Scolyer has died following a lengthy public battle with brain cancer, after saying he would like to be remembered as "a proud everyday Aussie who gave it a crack".
The 2024 Australian of the Year, who died aged 59 on Sunday, helped save thousands of people through his groundbreaking skin cancer research.
Along with Professor Georgina Long, he took the disease from being a death sentence to largely curable through treatment that activates a patient's own immune system, bringing hope and healing to many.
Born in Tasmania, Professor Scolyer was diagnosed with an incurable and aggressive stage four brain cancer named glioblastoma in June 2023 and given just six to eight months to live.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the "remarkable man" who shared his cancer battle with the public.
