Story perspectives

Australian of the Year Richard Scolyer Dies, Glioblastoma Vaccine Trailblazer

6/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Professor Richard Scolyer AO, Australian of the Year, died aged 59 on 9 June 2026.
Diagnosed with IDH-wildtype glioblastoma in 2023, he became patient zero for a personalized vaccine.
The vaccine kept him cancer-free for two years until a March 2025 operation showed recurrence.
His case in Nature Medicine (February 2025) guides trials at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
His melanoma work with Professor Georgina Long cut deaths and earned a state funeral.

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Story summary

Professor Richard Scolyer AO, Australian of the Year, died aged 59 on 9 June 2026.
Diagnosed with IDH-wildtype glioblastoma in 2023, he became patient zero for a personalized vaccine.
The vaccine kept him cancer-free for two years until a March 2025 operation showed recurrence.
His case in Nature Medicine (February 2025) guides trials at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
His melanoma work with Professor Georgina Long cut deaths and earned a state funeral.