Latest news with #AustralianOfTheYear
The Australian
3 days ago
- Health
- The Australian
Travis Doudle claims impressive victory with Golden Horizon on important day for family at Morphettville
An important day for trainer Travis Doudle and wife, Emmah, could scarcely have started better, as Golden Horizon stuck on gamely for a breakthrough win in Saturday's opener at Morphettville. While Emmah prepared to speak at a charity event for Cystic Fibrosis upstairs, Doudle watched on as his only runner on the card led the field under jockey Connor Murtagh, before fending off his rivals in a Benchmark 64 over 1100m. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Emmah was named Australian of the Year (SA Local Hero) in 2020 and is a Cystic Fibrosis advocate, having being diagnosed with the illness at birth. A thrilled Doudle was all smiles following Golden Horizon's impressive win, moments before he ventured upstairs to support Emmah at the Cystic Fibrosis Luncheon Fundraiser. 'Obviously the wife has a charity event on upstairs, it's going to be a really great day for Cystic Fibrosis, she's done an amazing job to organise it,' Doudle said. 'The racing gods turned this one on for me, put it on the first race, 11:30am and the event starts at 12pm, we got the money and will head upstairs. 'She's (Emmah) had a tough trot throughout her life, she's done an amazing job with everything she does with that. 'I'm very proud of her, today's going to be a real credit to her, hopefully we raise some money for a really good cause.' Travis Doudle and wife Emmah with daughter Willow, celebrate a win at Flemington in 2023. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images • Niance returns in style after mystery skull fracture Golden Horizon ($13 Sportsbet) was narrowly defeated at Balaklava on debut, but his race experience came to the fore late in Saturday's affair. Out of sire Sebring Sun, Doudle acquired the gelding from NSW. 'I got a phone call from Andrew that owns him, he said 'would I be interested in taking him?' they are trying to promote the stallion and get them all over the country. 'I really loved him when he arrived, he's a beautiful horse, he's great to do everything with, he was broken in really well, hopefully I can get my hands on a few more of them because they look like they go all right.' Extra Hot ($18) continues to establish herself as a bargain buy, the Ambidexter mare, ridden by leading apprentice jockey Rochelle Milnes, held off fast-finishing favourite The Sprinkler to win a Class 2 over 1200m. The mare was purchased for a miserly $1000 at an Inglis Online Sale in 2022, and has now won three races for trainers Peter and Belinda Blanch. • Pearl shines at Caulfield to spark spring discussions Comeback hoop Andrew Stead nailed a first metro win in more than 12 years when he guided Tropical House ($27) to an upset victory in a Benchmark 66 (1533m) for Victor Harbor trainer Jake Stephens. Stead had battled suspension in a career ranging from 2001-2013, before being struck with a rare form of cancer, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy. It was the hoop's fourth win on his comeback journey, taking him to a career tally of 110 wins. The judge couldn't separate Sir Now and Deepfloat Diva in a thrilling finish later in the day, the pair dead-heated and split winner's spoils in a Benchmark 76 over 1050m. Andrew Gluyas snared training honours with two winners on Saturday's nine-race card, while Murtagh and Jason Holder both rode a double.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Emotional moment radio guest shares devastating brain cancer news live on air with Carrie Bickmore
Carrie Bickmore had a guest on her Hit Network radio show on Wednesday whose battle hit close to home. The radio queen had Australian of the Year Professor Richard Scolyer on her Carrie & Tommy show, with the esteemed pathologist discussing his brain cancer. The 58-year-old got emotional as he told Carrie that his cancer has spread and that he didn't know how much time he had. 'I haven't given up. There're still opportunities out there,' Scolyer told a moved Carrie. 'That's a reflection of many people - and me included. The fact I'm still alive and the three of us are able to have a conversation gives me some hope.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Scolyer added however that he understands it's a race against time. 'The scan that showed this recurrence was a big deal, and I hadn't had any (scans) for more than a year' he said. '75% of people are dead within a year (of diagnosis), and this was at 18 months… so with that coming up, I just felt a bit different.' It's a very meaningful topic for Carrie, who tragically lost her late husband Greg Lange (right) to brain cancer in 2010 at age 35, after a 10-year battle. She continued his legacy by starting her own charity, Carrie's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer, which she announced during her Gold Logie acceptance speech in 2015. While promoting the charity, Carrie was welcomed back to The Project on Tuesday night in a downpour of confetti. The television and radio star, who quit the Channel Ten show back in 2022, returned to her old stomping ground for a good cause. The 44-year-old was on the desk for a ten minute segment that closed the show - but only as a guest. She was there to celebrate the tear year anniversary of her charity foundation, Carrie's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer, which has raised $24 million for cancer research. Viewers were happy to see her again, with one writing on social media: 'Ah a blast from the past of when The Project was actually good, funny and popular.' Another person watching at home chimed in: 'Just like old times'. Carrie announced her departure from The Project after 12 years on air in October, 2022. She had been absent for a three month 'sabbatical' with her family in London earlier that year, before returning to the panel in July, only to quit in October. Three months after leaving the show, Carrie announced she'd split from her partner of 11 years Chris Walker. 'It's with immense sadness that Chris and I have decided to separate,' she wrote in a statement on Instagram. 'While this is a tough time, our focus is on parenting, loving and supporting our three children Ollie, Evie and Addie with everything that we've got. 'They are doing great. We won't be making any further comment.' Carrie is now the host of the Carrie & Tommy show on the Hit Network alongside Little. Their radio show has dominated the national ratings survey last year.
News.com.au
20-05-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
‘Still keen to keep living': Eminent pathologist Professor Richard Scolyer reveals cancer has progressed
Acclaimed melanoma expert and former Australian of the Year Professor Richard Scolyer has shared a heartbreaking update on his battle with brain cancer – revealing the disease is advancing again. Professor Scolyer, 58, was diagnosed with the aggressive and incurable glioblastoma in 2023 and initially given just eight months to live. However, after undergoing experimental immunotherapy based on melanoma research, his cancer remained at bay for 18 months. In a social media post on Monday, Professor Scolyer confirmed a recent MRI scan had shown further progression of the tumour on the left side of his brain. 'While this may not be the best direction to be heading with my changes, amazingly (to me), I still seem keen to keep living, loving and having fun, whenever possible,' he wrote on social media. 'I feel like there are quite a few people on my team (including my family & friends) and they make me happy and proud.' The prominent cancer researcher, jointly named Australian of the Year in 2024 alongside fellow Melanoma Institute Australia co-director Professor Georgina Long, has remained remarkably candid and optimistic throughout his treatment journey. In February, Professor Scolyer announced the cancer had returned, prompting him to undergo surgery in March to remove as much of the tumour as possible. He later explained that while the procedure successfully removed a significant portion of the mass, 'little tentacles' remained and would require additional treatment to 'mop up' the remaining cancer cells. 'Depending on what the scan shows … that will help choose what are the next forms of therapy that I can have to see where we need to go from here,' he said at the time. He also acknowledged the emotional and physical toll of ongoing treatment, admitting he had been feeling 'a little up and down' due to side effects, though he continued to cherish time spent with his wife Katie and their children. 'Sometimes I'm happy to have fun, but some of the therapies have knocked me around a bit, so I can't do some of the things I love doing,' he said. 'I'm still having a fun time at home with my kids, they've been very kind, as well as my beautiful wife Katie has, who's been using her incredible intellect to help me speak to different doctors about various options that are available.' Professor Scolyer said he expects to undergo another operation and remains hopeful about future treatments. 'Fingers crossed this operation isn't so bad and we can move forward with the next form of therapy and hopefully push things along faster to try and get things open up for many, many patients who have got glioblastoma,' he said.
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Australian of the Year Professor Richard Scolyer's defiant message after disturbing MRI find - as he celebrates a major family milestone
Globally-renowned cancer researcher Professor Richard Scolyer has issued a defiant message as he battles an extremely aggressive brain tumour. The 2024 Australian of the Year, 58, was diagnosed with an 'incurable' grade four brain cancer in June 2023 after he suffered headaches and seizures while on holiday. It appeared as if he had beaten it after he experienced no signs of cancer recurrence for almost two years following a trial of experimental treatment developed by his colleague and joint Australian of the Year recipient, Professor Georgia Long. However, the tumour returned in March and he was given just months to live. But Prof Scolyer is refusing to take the grim news lying down, maintaining a positive outlook and enjoying major milestones with his family. The father-of-three revealed on Friday that a 'recent MRI brain scan shows the recurrent tumour is still there, and it's getting tougher to treat'. 'But I'm not ready to give up on it yet,' he added. 'I feel lucky to have a team of family, friends & medical team supporting me. Thanks everyone for your support.' Professor Richard Scolyer, the 2024 Australian of the Year, was diagnosed with an 'incurable' grade four brain cancer in June 2023 after he suffered headaches and seizures on holiday His inspirational post was flooded with well-wishers, who thanked him for his bravery and labelled him a 'hero'. 'They are fighting words - your courage is an inspiration, Richard,' one wrote. 'You give hope to all and we stand with you in support for the fight ahead.' It comes just days after Prof Scolyer celebrated his eldest daughter, Emily's, 21st birthday. 'It was so nice to catch up with friends and family to celebrate her,' he wrote on Facebook. 'She is an amazing daughter & we love her so much!' The melanoma expert has been praised for his openness and bravery in documenting his cancer journey. In an emotional interview with Ally Langdon on A Current Affair in March, Prof Scolyer said he was 'not ready to go yet'. 'It's not fair, but there's a lesson for everyone… make the most of every day because you don't know what's around the corner,' he added. Professor Scolyer had initially been diagnosed with a glioblastoma, which has a particularly aggressive nature with most sufferers survive less than a year. The bulk of the tumour was stripped shortly after the diagnosis. There followed a series of experimental therapies based on melanoma research, including immunotherapy and 'debulking' surgery. Last May, the University of Sydney professor declared that he'd had no sign of cancer recurrence for nearly 12 months. But five months later, the decorated scientist revealed an MRI had shown an area of concern. He underwent exploratory surgery which confirmed the cancer had returned. The 2021 Order of Australia recipient remains philosophical about his journey, stating that he 'just wants to make a difference'. He is a prolific author having penned more than 700 publications and book chapters on melanoma pathology, which garnered him a reputation as one of the world's leading experts in the field. According to the Royal Australian College of Pathologists, Professor Scolyer and Professor Long's work on melanoma treatment has 'saved thousands of lives'. 'Devising this world-first experimental treatment for my type of brain cancer was bold,' Professor Scolyer said during his Australian of the Year speech last year. 'For me, the decision to take on Georgina's ground-breaking plan was a no-brainer. Here was an opportunity for us to crack another incurable cancer and make a difference. If not for me, then for others.'
News.com.au
10-05-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
‘Worried': Australian of the Year, Richard Scolyer, provides sad cancer update
Former Australian of the Year Richard Scolyer has provided an update on his ongoing battle with brain cancer. Professor Scolyer was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour, glioblastoma, in 2023, and given only eight months to live. He was awarded Australian of the Year in 2024 alongside research partner Georgina Long for their pioneering research and treatment for melanoma. Amid his diagnosis Professor Scolyer conducted experimental treatment based on melanoma breakthroughs, including undergoing immunotherapy before removing the brain tumour. While the treatments kept his cancer at bay for nearly two years, in February he announced the tumour had returned. In an Instagram update, Professor Scolyer confessed he was 'a bit worried' about undergoing his first MRI scan since the recurrent brain surgery he had in early March. He explained while the surgery aimed to remove the majority of the tumour, there were 'little tentacles' left behind, requiring further treatments that can 'mop up' and destroy 'the wretched tumour cells'. 'Depending on what the scan shows ..... that will help choose what are the next forms of therapy that I can have to see where we need to go from here,' he said. Professor Scolyer explained he was feeling 'a little up and down' due to the ongoing treatments, describing it as a 'tough journey at times'. 'Sometimes I'm happy to have fun, but some of the therapies have knocked me around a bit, so I can't do some of the things I love doing,' he said. 'I'm still having a fun time at home with my kids, they've been very kind, as well as my beautiful wife Katie has, who's been using her incredible intellect to help me speak to different doctors about various options that are available.' He will undergo another operation and is hopeful 'things will move forward in the right direction'. 'Fingers crossed this operation isn't so bad and we can move forward with the next form of therapy and hopefully push things along faster to try and get things open up for many, many patients who have got glioblastoma,' he said.
