Yass Tribune

'Unconditional love': Former Australian of the Year emerges from brain surgery

Peter Angelopoulos
Updated March 5 2025 - 4:53pm, first published 9:00am

Former Australian of the Year Professor Richard Scolyer has thanked well-wishers and doctors after he emerged from "complex surgery".

Professor Scolyer, 58, co-medical director at the Melanoma Institute Australia, has incurable grade 4 brain cancer.

Professor Scolyer. Picture by X.
Professor Scolyer. Picture by X.

In a post on X on March 4 he said he had undergone "complex surgery and am incredibly grateful to my medical team at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse for their exceptional care and support, particularly A/Prof Brindha Shivalingam".

He expressed "heartfelt thanks to my family & friends for their unconditional love and unwavering support throughout this journey.

"Now I am focused on my recovery and will share more updates when I am able."

The Launceston-born pathologist is a joint 2024 Australian of the Year with Professor Georgina Long, a co-medical director at the Melanoma Institute Australia.

Dr Scolyer was recognised for volunteering for therapy administered by Dr Long and other colleagues which helped develop revolutionary world-first melanoma treatment.

Professor Scolyer with wife Kate. Picture by X.
Professor Scolyer with wife Kate. Picture by X.

He is also the first brain cancer patient to undertake innovative pre-surgery combination immunotherapy that was credited with saving his life.

Peter Angelopoulos

Peter Angelopoulos

Digital News Editor

ACM's national digital news editor based in Melbourne is a reporter with more than two decades experience in senior editorial leadership roles across Asia at Reuters and NewsCorp. Reach out at peter.angelopoulos@austcommunitymedia.com.au.