Tribute messages

Gone to soon. I had the pleasure of hearing Professor Emma Johnston, our first female Vice Chancellor, address the 2025 Professional Conference. She was warm, sincere and enlightening. She was remarkable and I could see she was a true leader. My sincere condolences to her family and friends. May she rest in peace and may you all find solace in her remarkable life and the legacy she leaves behind.

Floriy La Rocca

I really dislike past tense but Emma was so personable. She took the time to speak to me at the professional staff conference, she came up to me and chatted with others before her address. I was instantly impressed by her, while I'm so happy she achieved so much in her short life, I am saddened that it was indeed so short. What an absolute inspiration and I'm saddened that I will no longer have the ability to see her shining self.

Jen Lucas

My deepest condolences to the family, friends and the University colleagues of Professor Emma Johnston. While I personally never got a chance to meet with Emma, from what I heard and learnt about her, she came across as a thoughtful, intelligent and strong leader, having a clear vision for our University's future. My thoughts and prayers for Prof Emma’s family and loved ones, and The University of Melbourne community who are equally saddened by this loss.

Vandita Bhargava

I was so proud to say that I knew Emma way back when she was a student leader here at the University. I watched her career with real admiration and often told colleagues what a perfect fit she was as Vice-Chancellor: hardworking, exceptionally intelligent, principled, deeply committed to justice, and someone who truly understood the University. As a staff member, I felt we were in the very best hands. My heart goes out to Sam, to Emma’s family, and to her wide circle of friends. This is a shocking loss for all of us - her peers, the University, the scientific community, and the planet itself. Emma had so much still to give to the world, and her absence is profoundly felt. Her legacy, however, will endure.

Jess Letch

I was deeply saddened to hear of Professor Emma Johnston's passing. My heartfelt condolences to Professor Johnston's family, to all who loved her, and to the whole of our university community during this difficult time. From her achievements, advocacy, leadership, and the outpouring of recollections and kind words from people who knew her, it is clear that Prof. Johnson was a remarkable individual who leaves behind an inspirational legacy. She will be greatly missed.

Sushama Telwatte, Doherty Institute

Our first female VC - Emma...a woman of strong intellect, vibrancy, curiosity, energy and warmth, with a clear and inspiring vision for the future of the University. She was on the cusp of great change, and her passing is an enormous loss to us. While our sense of loss is profound, it is incomparable to the grief her family and friends must be experiencing. I extend my heartfelt condolences to them

Kirsty Hill

I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Emma Johnston. Although I did not have the opportunity to meet Emma personally, I was greatly impressed by her when she addressed staff and through her communications. She came across as thoughtful, authentic and full of promise. Her appointment represented an exciting new chapter, and it is deeply tragic that we will not see the impact she might have made under her leadership. She will be greatly missed by staff and students across the University, even by those who may not yet realise what has been lost. My sincere condolences to Emma’s family, friends, and colleagues who worked closely with her.

Lauren K

I was shocked to hear the news of Emma's passing. She was so passionate and smart. My thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues in the sector.

Robin Chacko

My heartfelt sympathy goes to the family and her loss will be deeply felt. AS an ocean lover I was checking emails in between dives on an epic scuba diving holiday and I was shocked and deeply saddened by this terrible news. She was an inspiring leader and one of the reasons I was so proud to join Melbourne Uni. 🤍

Stephanie W.

Ebbing flow of grief While salty tears subsiding Your legacy lives

Gill Yap

I am writing as a University of Melbourne graduate who completed my studies approximately six months ago to express my sincere condolences on the passing of Professor Emma Johnston AO. As a recent graduate, I did not have the opportunity to meet Professor Johnston in person, nor did I know her in great detail. However, through the emails and messages she sent to the university community, I felt she was a warm, thoughtful, and genuinely caring leader who valued students and staff alike. I was deeply saddened to hear of her passing. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy during this difficult time. I also wish her family strength, good health, and comfort as they mourn this great loss. Thank you for allowing me to share my condolences. Yours sincerely

Yiming Yang

I offer my condolences to family, friends and colleagues of Professor Johnston. It a great sadness for the University and its community to lose her, particularly so soon and so strong a champion of a sustainable and resilient world. May the memory of her aspirations uplift us all.

Professor Kathleen Gray OAM