By Alex Mitchell in Sydney

The family of a former Australian of the Year has arrived at the Sydney Opera House ahead of a moving tribute to the pioneering pathologist credited with saving thousands of lives.

Richard Scolyer, who died aged 59 on June 7 from brain cancer, is remembered as the researcher that turned melanoma from a common death sentence into a largely curable disease.

Among the more than 1,000 people attending Monday’s state memorial service are Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, NSW Premier Chris Minns and Governor-General Sam Mostyn.

Ahead of the service inside the Sydney landmark, Professor Scolyer’s family watched from the steps as cyclists from the Tour de Cure charity rode in.

Scolyer rode 500km for the charity raising money for cancer research while in the final stages of his own fight with brain cancer.

The service inside the Opera House will feature a musical performance from Peter Garrett, the frontman of Scolyer’s favourite band Midnight Oil.

Loving family members will also remember his own inspirational battle with an incurable and aggressive brain cancer, glioblastoma, where he underwent experimental treatment based on his own research.

“Rather than just accepting the terminal prognosis, he applied the same driven, interrogating, science-based attitude to his own cancer battle,” brother-in-law Charlie Nicoll said on his death.

“His rationale was simple – he wanted to continue to make a difference and he wanted cancer patients to know they weren’t alone.”

Prof Scolyer was given as little as six months to live in 2023 but survived for almost three years.

He won his Australian of the Year gong with colleague Georgina Long.

Prof Long described him as “the pathologists’ pathologist”.

“His knowledge was vast, his skill exceptional, with an unparalleled eye for accurate tissue diagnoses, and the precision to apply decades of experience where it mattered most,” she wrote on Instagram after his death.

Prof Scolyer penned a letter to all Australians to be published upon his death, where he urged governments and the wider community to continue funding science and medical research.

“To my research and clinical colleagues, I implore you to stay inquisitive and brave and keep striving to break new ground,” he wrote.

“To all cancer patients, I encourage you to consider enrolling in research and clinical trials, if on offer.”

The prime minister called Prof Scolyer one of Australia’s brightest lights and biggest hearts.

“Every day, this remarkable man – the cancer specialist who became his own subject – took us into his confidence and he lifted us all in the process,” Mr Albanese said.

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