Wednesday, 18 February 2026

 Ellen SANDELL (Melbourne) (10:02): I want to acknowledge with deep sadness the passing of Professor Emma Johnston, who passed away just after Christmas. Emma was a giant of academia and marine ecology and was the first woman to serve as vice-chancellor of the University of Melbourne. She was a trailblazer for Australian women in science. As a woman who studied science myself, I was inspired by her work, and I know so many other women who were too. Her achievements are many. She was on the board of the CSIRO and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. She authored 185 peer-reviewed journal articles and was the chief author of the current state of the environment report for Australia. She won multiple awards, including the Eureka Prize for science communication, and was deservedly made an officer of the Order of Australia. Underneath all that was a deep love for understanding and protecting marine ecosystems, a love Emma developed early growing up near the sea in Williamstown. She revolutionised our understanding of human impacts on marine ecosystems. As a keen scuba diver and environmentalist, I am so grateful for everything that she did to protect our incredible marine ecosystems and the creatures that call our oceans home. Emma leaves behind a truly astonishing legacy as well as a beloved family, friends, colleagues and students. My condolences go to Sam, her children, her colleagues, her students, and the many, many people who loved her.