Joint 2024 Australian of the Year Prof Richard Scolyer AO delivers this year’s Wesfarmers Harry Perkins Oration. As one of Australia’s leading medical researchers, Prof Scolyer is at the forefront of tackling “Australia’s National Cancer”, melanoma, the devastating price we pay for living in the sunburnt country.

Prof Scolyer’s life changed in June 2023 when he was diagnosed with an aggressive, incurable form of brain cancer. He underwent world-first experimental treatment based on melanoma science, devised by his colleague and fellow Australian of the Year Professor Georgina Long AO. Richard’s scan in July showed no sign of cancer recurrence.

Could this world-first experimental treatment change the outlook for brain cancer? 

Prof Scolyer will share his life's work in medical research, from the early days to becoming Co-Medical Director of Melanoma Institute Australia. He will also reflect on his personal brain cancer journey, and the incredible last 12 months he's spent advocating for skin cancer awareness as Joint 2024 Australian of the Year.