Mate recalls Richard Scolyer's 'magnificent' ride weeks before passing

As Mark Beretta rode his bike up a steep Tasmanian mountain in March with all his might, it was none other than Richard Scolyer who overtook him.

Beretta, a sports presenter and board member of Tour de Cure, and Scolyer were taking part in the charity's signature tour — a ride raising critical money for cancer research.

"I couldn't believe it. I saw a bike go by, looked over and it was Richard Scolyer overtaking me," Beretta said.

"He was just a machine, he was magnificent.

"For all the things that the brain cancer affected in his life, his ability to ride his bike long distances incredibly well and safely was just remarkable."

Scolyer completed the Tasmanian leg of the 1,400-kilometre Tour de Cure bike ride, cycling 500km in four days despite being in the final stages of his battle with incurable brain cancer.

The leading melanoma pathologist died 11 weeks after that epic ride at the age of 59 on June 7, three years after receiving his diagnosis.

Beretta said he reflected fondly on his multiple tours with Scolyer, particularly riding through Tasmania where Scolyer was raised.

"We rode past his old home, we rode past his swimming pool as a kid, we went to their old footy club.

"To see him front up this year with his whole family there to support him, it was a beautiful thing to be part of."

Team Scolyer raised $46,062 for the charity's 2026 signature tour.

Scolyer's 'noble pursuit' in life

Scolyer was a pioneer in cancer research, having co-authored more than 800 peer-reviewed publications over more than 20 years on skin cancer and melanoma.

Together with Georgina Long, his work has been credited with contributing to saving "thousands of lives from melanoma".

In 2024, the two professors were each named Australian of the Year for their work as melanoma treatment pioneers.

A year earlier, Scolyer was diagnosed with incurable Grade 4 brain cancer and chose to publicly document his condition and treatment.

He also spoke widely of spending cherished time with his loved ones, raising funds for cancer research and finding joy through exercise such as bike rides and park runs in his final years.

To Beretta, Scolyer was not just a remarkable researcher and rider, he was a mate.

"Richard saw a bigger picture in life," he said.

"He had such a beautiful view of the world. He was by far the most brilliant, beautiful man I've ever met."

Beretta said he hoped Scolyer's legacy continued to make a difference in the lives of all Australians.

"Richard's greatest saying was 'don't lean in, leap in' … if we're going to do something big together like curing cancer, it's going to take us to leap in and put all our efforts together," he said.

"The impact of a cancer diagnosis spreads so far and wide — to rid the disease and give people the life they deserve, I think is such a noble pursuit and that's why I admire Richard so much."

State memorial service today

On Monday, a state memorial service for Scolyer will be held in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House at 11am.

Eulogies will be delivered by notable Australian figures and Scolyer's loved ones.

Public tickets for the service were exhausted within hours of being released on June 29, with the service to be broadcast live on ABC TV and streamed on ABC iview. The service will then be made available for later viewing on ABC iview on demand.

Radio coverage will be available on 702 ABC Sydney.

In lieu of flowers, donations were encouraged to the Brain Cancer Group and Chris O'Brien Lifehouse.

In an open letter that he wished to be published after his death, Scolyer described his life as one "filled with happiness, optimism, opportunity and passion".

"I would be delighted and humbled to be remembered as a proud everyday Aussie who 'gave it a crack', and in doing so, inspired others to pursue their dreams and passions with humility, love and compassion," he said.