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Obituaries

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Dysart’s most famous building the University of Technology, Sydney Tower.

Architect much more than creator of brutalist UTS Tower

Michael Dysart was one of Australia’s most significant architects, designing everything from universities to hundreds of schools, and reshaping the project home market.

  • Tone Wheeler

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Raymond Lee was known for his severe leadership style.

Exxon CEO Lee Raymond, the ‘Darth Vader of global warming’, dies at 87

The former head of Exxon Mobil oversaw the oil industry’s biggest corporate merger and brandished hostility towards climate-change activism.

  • Joe Carroll and Kevin Crowley
Pathologist Richard Scolyer is undergoing revolutionary brain cancer treatment.

Humble, heroic, selfless: Richard Scolyer beat the cancer odds but finally lost the battle

The world-renowned pathologist and researcher, who was joint Australian of the Year for 2024, became a familiar face nationwide after being diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour.

  • Garry Maddox
“You could feel sorry for yourself and sit at home and not engage in your life,” says Scolyer in 2023. “But that doesn’t feel right to me. It’s not what I want to do. I want to keep contributing.”

I’d be delighted to be remembered as a proud everyday Aussie who ‘gave it a crack’

It was Richard Scolyer’s final wish that his passing be announced in his own words. This is his “final goodbye”, an open letter to all Australians that he penned before his final stages of illness. He died of brain cancer on Sunday.

  • Richard Scolyer
Passionate, driven and dedicated to improving outcomes for patients: Richard Scolyer at Petersham Park in February.

Former Australian of the Year Professor Richard Scolyer dies

The world-recognised pathologist survived for three years after being diagnosed with a savage form of brain cancer.

  • Garry Maddox
Former governor-general Peter Hollingworth died this month at the age of 91.

Former governor-general a man of compassion who paid heavy price for error in judgement

Peter Hollingworth had an unwavering concern for those on the margins. But a serious mistake while he was Archbishop of Brisbane led to his resignation as governor-general.

  • Sarah Hollingworth, Samantha Burchell and Barry Jones
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Sister Myree Harris in 2009.

The no-nonsense nun who got things done for the homeless and mentally ill

Sister Myree Harris was an advocate for the less fortunate: she was “Christ-like, washing their feet, devoted to the end and a possible candidate for sainthood”.

  • Malcolm Brown
Inspirational: Neale Daniher promotes this year’s Big Freeze game.

After football, Daniher’s spirit shone in the fight of his life

Neale Daniher’s remarkable efforts as a champion of the FightMND cause would ultimately surpass everything he achieved as a player and coach in the AFL.

  • Linda Pearce
Brendan and Melissa Coburn

My beloved husband has died. I’ll never hear him say ‘hello beautiful’ again

I lost the love of my life after a heroic battle with cancer. What happens now?

  • Melissa Coburn
Business journalist David Haselhurst, captured in oils by artist Melissa Beowulf.

The Speculator’s final trade

David Haselhurst was a raconteur who beat the market and defined a golden era of business journalism, mixing it with prime ministers and Kerry Packer.

  • Michael Idato