Tribute messages

My heartfelt sympathy to Professor Emma Johnston’s family, friends and loved ones during this very sad time. Her contributions to the academy will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude. To the brief time she was VC, Emma brought insight, generosity and care to all she interacted with, and her loss will be felt by the many people whose lives she influenced.

Deborah Thomas

I met Emma at a conference in Darwin in 2019. She was hiding from the crowd eating lunch and I stole the moment to talk about her recent TV appearance and offered to show her Perth’s Sea dragons when next over. She was so warm and genuine, and exchanged follow up messages weeks later. Rest in peace you truly wonderful person. Sorry I didn’t get the chance. With deepest sympathies to Emma’s family.

J.Martin Crossley - A Citizen Scientist.

I was deeply saddened to learn of Emma Johnstons’s passing and would like to extend my sincere condolences to her family. I first meet Emma as she assumed the role of Vice-Chancellor, and I was struck by her clarity of purpose, integrity and moral leadership. She leaves a legacy of thoughtful leadership and institutional responsibility that will long be remembered. May her memory be a blessing

Mark Leibler

Sending my deepest condolences to Emma’s family. She was a bright, generous leader who inspired so many. Rest in peace.

Nikolaos Fouras

I was so excited about the contributions that Prof Johnston was making to the University and it's community of scholars. I particularly liked the way Prof Johnston highlighted the importance of teaching at the University. My best to her family and friends during this time of profound sadness.

Kate Howell

I will always be grateful for the support Emma gave me when we were students and I had a baby while finishing my degree. I don't know if I would have finished it without that support. Emma always inspired everyone around her to be the best version of themselves every day. That is something that I carry in my life and my work as a high school science teacher. Wishing Emma's family love xxx

Ana Ruuska

It is with deep sadness that I heard of the passing of Professor Emma Johnston. As VC, Emma’s leadership was marked by clarity of purpose and humanity. At a time of heightened tension in universities, the tone set by leaders matters greatly, and Emma understood this. She conveyed seriousness, openness, and moral steadiness that many of us recognised and valued. I was particularly mindful of her readiness to engage directly and thoughtfully with difficult issues, including antisemitism and the safety and dignity of members of our community. Her willingness to acknowledge these realities and to treat them as matters of institutional responsibility reflected moral courage and genuine leadership that did not go unnoticed. Emma’s legacy lies not only in her distinguished scientific career, but also in the example she set of how a university leader can listen in good faith, lead, and act with integrity. My sincere condolences to her family and her loved ones. May her memory be a blessing.

Dr Panos Loukopoulos Univ.Melbourne. Director, Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism (5A)

To the family of Prof Johnston I offer my sincere condolences. I did not have the opportunity to meet Prof Johnston as my term as President of the Alumni Council concluded just before she started as Vice Chancellor. From a distance, I was very pleased to see her plans and early effect of her leadership. The University was fortunate to have her as VC even for a such short period of time.

Jane Wayland

I sat next to her at a friend's (Angus Webb) wedding about 25 years ago. She was completing her PhD and had just returned from Timor-Leste, offering aid after the fighting. One evening was all it took for her to convince me to change my ways. To save the planet, and want to go off and do so with her. An amazing career since then. A tragic loss. Will be greatly missed by the scientific community, The University of Melbourne and countless other Universities, as well as the earth in general and those working hard to preserve it.

Gordon Money

Emma and I both started as young academics at UNSW in 2001. We shared experiences in organising student field trips, supervising students and giving undergraduate lectures. My favourite memory of her was one day when we wrote a field trip together - travelling around Botany Bay looking for places and processes that highlight physical and biological phenomena for the incoming students. She made the whole process of course preparation fun, and her passion for the subject and students shone through. It was such a lovely day. Of course, since then she has done so much more, always keeping that passion and care central to her ways. She will be missed by so many.

Mark Baird

Dear Emma, I just wanted you to know that I am so happy our paths crossed, you welcomed me into your open with open arms whenever we had a gathering. Your kindness and relaxed nature never failed. I was so intrigued by our chats about the state of our oceans and your knowledge encouraged me to be more aware and learn more about what I can do to help preserve our amazing coastline. What you achieved in your short life is unbelievable and you’ve inspired me to give as much to this planet as I can and to never stop learning. We will look after Sam for you and make sure he’s always got a friend to chat to and someone to train with. I will think of you every time I dive under the waves at Coogee Beach

Renny

My sincere condolences to the family, friend's and colleagues of our late vice chancellor.......may she rest rest in peace and may we recover from this sad episode.

Abdurahman Abdi