Tribute messages

Sincere condolences to the family of Prof Johnson. A great loss to both the family and community.

Morris Dalton

You were an inspiration for us all and I pray that your memory is a blessed one for generations to come. I admired you for your accomplishments and respected you for your dedication to us as a community.

Robiel Abraham

Though I met Emma only once, her presence at Wominjeka left a lasting impression. She carried herself with quiet grace and deep respect, embodying the spirit of welcome and shared purpose. In that space, her humanity was palpable, reflecting leadership grounded in care, culture, and connection to Country.

Rachel Liang

From one University High School graduate to another, RIP Emma. Peace to your family.

Hyder

May the departed soul rest in peace. Sending prayers to family and friends to cope from the loss.

Gayatri Broota

I witnessed our VC speak in welcoming Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji at the inaugural Oceania Institute oration and I could see the real push she had for University's focus on Pasifika and for research in the Pacific. I can see the University would have made tremendous progress in this space to care about Pacific people and its research. I am however, filled with optimism that those who are there now fully support this initiative and will keep on leaving behind legacies that matter for generations to come.

Kushneel Prakash

I met Emma many years ago at a coral reef conference and I had the pleasure and honour to work with her during her time on the Board of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. She had a unique combination of scientific expertise, common sense practicality, genuine caring, humour and all-round human warmth. She made a fantastic contribution in everything that she did and has left a wonderful legacy in many people’s lives. Vale, Emma.

David Wachenfeld

I met Emma during the 2025 Professional Staff Conference, where she joined us as a keynote speaker. She shared stories from her remarkable life, including a moment when she was diving and came face to face with a shark. Her message was clear and powerful — to be brave and dare to give things a go in life. Emma came across as energetic, strong, and full of life. She showed no sign of pain or weakness, only courage and humour. The news of her passing has truly taken me by surprise and has reminded me how precious time is. Emma was kind, strong, and genuinely funny. I am grateful that I had the chance to meet her and to hear her story. She left a lasting impression. Rest in peace, Emma.

Anna Sutjiadi

As the board of Melbourne Business School, we mourn the loss of Professor Emma Johnstone AO. Emma was a director of the School and she was an intelligent, generous and insightful participant in our discussions who will be greatly missed. Her ability to span the academic and commercial worlds was notable and we were looking forward to many fruitful years working with her - now tragically cut short. We send our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. Vale Emma.

Professor Jenny George on behalf of the Melbourne Business School board of directors.

I was deeply saddened to hear of Emma's premature passing and her loss is keenly felt by all at the University. But this loss will be felt most by her Family and closest friends to whom I send my deepest condolences. She had a unique blend of inspiring leadership coupled with humility and warmth and I always enjoyed conversations. We mourn her passing but celebrate the person she was and the difference she made.

Alastair Sloan

Emma was quite simply one of the finest colleagues I have worked with. I was so excited when she joined the University and enjoyed the chance to work closely with her. Her humour, humanity, intellect and pragmatic "just get it done" approach were wonderful. I will miss her and am sad that her time with us was so short. It's devastating for the University but of course mostly for her family that she had so few years with us - but her impact was immense despite that.

Jenny George

I'm very sorry to hear of the passing of Professor Emma Johnston, it's quite a shock, gone too soon. My family and I enjoyed watching her on TV promoting the Australian coastline and I was lucky to meet her in our School (Maths & Stats) when at UNSW from 2015; she was an inspiring leader of great integrity, an interesting TV personality, absolutely accessible, approachable and generally a wonderful lady. My sincere condolences to her family.

Markie Lugton