Melanoma researchers NSW Australians of the Year

By Duncan Murray

Melanoma researchers Richard Scolyer and Georgina Long have been named NSW Australians of the Year. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

A pair of scientists whose groundbreaking research became deeply personal have been jointly named the 2024 Australians of the Year for NSW.

Professors Richard Scolyer AO and Georgina Long AO helped take advanced melanoma from a death sentence to a curable disease through their treatment activating a patient’s own immune system.

Earlier this year when Prof Scolyer was diagnosed with incurable grade 4 brain cancer, the pair chose to publicly document the experimental treatment he underwent to greatly advance the understanding of brain cancer.

As co-medical directors of Melanoma Institute Australia they are also passionate advocates for sun-safe behaviour and melanoma prevention.

The pair are up against those from the other states and territories to become Australians of the Year, announced in Canberra on January 25.

This year’s 2024 Senior Australian of the Year for NSW, 79-year-old John Ward, is another who through the medical profession has greatly improved the lives of Australia’s most vulnerable.

Mr Ward struggled with limited resources to provide care for prisoners as director of the Prison Medical Service, while also advocating for reform in the sector.

Since the mid-1980s he has been a leader in the field of geriatric medicine, raising awareness about the importance of social determinants for health such as social connection, exercise and accessible environments.

He co-founded the Hunter Ageing Alliance, which calls for governments, businesses and organisations to better consider older people’s needs.

Young Australian of the Year for NSW 2024 is Nikhil Autar who after being diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of 17 has dedicated much of his life to making health services easier to access.

The now 30-year-old created “Google Maps of accessibility”, Knia Maps, to provide information about accessibility across Sydney venues, and founded Bheem Health, a social enterprise which provides low-cost medical devices.

Former Disney artist and 2024 Local Hero for NSW, Angus Olsen turned his daughter’s experience with cancer into a series of artworks and books helping children better understand their own treatment.

The 44-year-old makes no profit from his illustrations which have been turned into 20 books and translated into 24 languages.

National Australia Day Council chief executive Mark Fraser said the winners are an inspiring group devoted to helping others.

“The breakthrough work being done by Richard and Georgina, and Richard’s personal sacrifice, is simply extraordinary; John continues to bring much-needed focus to the heath care of some of those most in need,” he said.

“Nikhil has channelled his own experiences to improve care for others; and Angus has shared his personal experience for families around the world to benefit.”