Australian Story: Season 31, Episode 17

31 - 17: A Beautiful Mind - Richard Scolyer

Australian Story remembers Professor Richard Scolyer.When 59-year-old Richard Scolyer died last Sunday from brain cancer, he left a remarkable legacy.He was a world-renowned pathologist whose work with his colleagues at the Melanoma Institute led to a huge jump in survival rates from the deadly skin cancer.When he was diagnosed three years ago with an aggressive brain tumour, his friend and colleague Professor Georgina Long devised a novel and risky immunotherapy treatment based on the Institute's melanoma work. Despite the risks, Professor Scolyer leapt at the chance to contribute to a medical breakthrough. Their work led them to being jointly nominated as Australian of the Year in 2024. Richard Scolyer survived far longer than predicted and his experimental treatment will now be tested in clinical trials.Australian Story has followed Richard's medical and personal journey over three years, including the months leading up to his death. Despite doctors urging him to slow down, Richard continued to live life to the fullest. Eleven weeks before he died, he cycled 500kms to raise money for cancer research."Don't just lean in, leap in!" Richard told Australian Story in one of his final interviews. "That's how you can make a difference."