Speech delivered on 13 July 2026 at the Sydney Opera House

Good morning, everyone. It's wonderful to see a packed house here. Many of you may never have met Richard, but you've turned up because, as Hamish has said, he connected with all of us.

I was listening to Sydney radio this morning, and many people who couldn't be here today were ringing in to share their stories. Most of them had never met Richard but felt the need to ring this morning to share their stories. It says so much.

But I would like to thank Yvonne Weldon for her beautiful Welcome to Country and add my acknowledgement that we gather here on the lands of the Gadigal and pay my respects to Elders past and present, and any First Nations people who join us today.

Now, breach of protocol, I would like to start by acknowledging the most important people here: Richard's family. His wife, Dr Katie Nicoll; your children, Emily, Matthew and Lucy; Father Maurice; Jenny watching on the livestream; your brother Mark and his family; and the extended family.

It's such a privilege to have been asked by you as a family to offer reflections on this beautiful, remarkable Australian at this very public memorial today.

And I'd also like to acknowledge the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, and Mr Denis Wilson; the Honourable Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, and Ms Jodie Haydon; the Honourable Chris Minns MP, Premier of New South Wales, and Mrs Anna Minns; the Honourable Angus Taylor MP, Leader of the Opposition; a number of members of Parliament, federal and state and local; colleagues of Richard's; friends of Richard's; and the community gathered here this morning.

His carers, those in Lycra, community groups representing so much that says this was a true communitarian.

Now, I first met Richard in 2024 during his year as Joint Australian of the Year, and when I first met him, he did, as Andrew said, just radiate joy and optimism and curiosity.

But I had admired him for many years as a fellow long-term Inner Westie and a tragic AFL and Swans supporter. I knew all about his inspiring support for the Newtown Swans Junior Club and his tireless and very difficult work, often as a boundary umpire.

I cannot tell you how happy I am to see red and white here.

In 2021, Richard was appointed to one of our highest civilian honours. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia, an AO, announced in the Queen's Birthday Honours List that year.

The citation for his honour spoke of his distinguished service to medicine, particularly in the field of melanoma and skin cancer, and to national and international professional organisations. It was a wonderful tribute to him at that time for everything he had already given.

As one of the world's leading melanoma pathologists, he's been described by many eminent colleagues as truly extraordinary — a pathologist's pathologist, and a devoted teacher and mentor to so very many.

So, it's not surprising that when His Majesty King Charles III visited Australia in October 2024, it was the Melanoma Institute where he chose to spend time with Professor Scolyer and the exceptional and world-renowned multidisciplinary team gathered there.

It was a very special afternoon, with Richard shining an international spotlight on melanoma and Australia's world-leading advances across detection, diagnosis and treatment.

I know it meant a great deal to both King Charles and Queen Camilla that Richard presented Their Majesties with an Akubra, underscoring his mantra of prevention and sun safety. I saw His Majesty put that Akubra on for the rest of the visit here in Australia.

His Majesty also gratefully received a copy of Richard's memoir, Brainstorm.

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

In April this year, Richard shared the unforgettable moment when he received a handwritten letter from King Charles, where His Majesty inquired about Richard's brain cancer journey, and it would have been a heartfelt request and inquiry from His Majesty.

I'll be seeing His Majesty at the Commonwealth Games shortly in Glasgow, and I'll be sharing with him the outpouring of love for Richard from Australians across the nation. And I'll see whether he has that Akubra as we cheer on our athletes.

It's very nice to see the Akubra and Richard's decoration as an AO together with the Australian of the Year trophy.

Today, we'll be hearing so many stories about all aspects of Richard's extraordinary life and service to others, particularly as a patient-scientist in his fight against glioblastoma, and the outpouring of support, hope and love that sustained him throughout that journey.

But he did leave us all the most glorious gift, other than his marvellous family. It's his final letter to all Australians, where he described himself as a proud everyday Australian who, as you've heard, just said we all need to give it a crack.

That's what he did. He gave it a crack.

He asked us all to pursue our dreams with compassion. He encouraged all cancer patients to consider clinical trials and research programs. He asked his colleagues to stay inquisitive and brave and keep breaking new ground and implored all of us to keep funding science and medical research.

And in words felt very deeply by all who read his letter, Richard reminded us primarily about the importance of relationships, true friendships, compassion, selflessness, family above everything.

His radical, inspiring honesty and openness, as he and his family and close friends faced his biggest battle, is a lasting and generous gift to us all.

His commitment to and advocacy for his profession, coupled with his unbounded enthusiasm for life, his empathy and his humanity, resonated broadly and has left a lasting legacy.

I'll be remembering Richard as someone who so clearly and so importantly loved his family and friends; someone who led with profound courage, humility, generosity and openness, which meant we really all felt like we knew him; and someone whose commitment to scientific discovery, rigour and service will continue to save countless lives forever.

On this day, of course, my thoughts are with those who knew and loved him best. His extraordinary wife, Katie, who's been by his side every minute of that journey, and his adored children, parents, brother, everyone close to Richard.

You know more than us. He lived his life with passion, purpose, joy, pride in others, and an infectious belief in the power of compassion, kindness and care for others, all supported by family and the important relationships that sustain and nurture us all.

He is already so terribly missed but has left us with a mission to emulate his extraordinary example as a humble, big-hearted and hopeful Australian.

He showed us how to be unwavering in our commitment to each other. A true communitarian, a great Australian.

Vale Richard Scolyer. May you rest in peace.