Tribute messages

Dear Professor Johnston, Although I only met you once at the International Women's Day Breakfast on 7th March 2025. Your warm presence and powerful inspiration as the first Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne made such a strong impression on me as an Early Career Researcher. Thank you for the impact you have made at the University of Melbourne and at other institutions. Rest in Peace, and thank you for being the inspiration for 'You can't be what you can't see.' Best wishes, Jennifer Sze

Jennifer S

I am deeply touched and shocked by Emma's passing. I never had the honour of meeting her, but her legacy speaks volumes to the woman and scholar she was. My condolences to her family, colleagues and friends.

Evonne Irwin

The sudden passing of Professor Emma Johnston has profoundly saddened the university community. The many tributes received from across the world reflect not only her outstanding intellect and leadership, but also her exceptional warmth and humanity. I extend my deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues during this time of great loss.

Marlene Mannays

I remember the excitement I felt when Emma was appointed Vice-Chancellor. Having admired her work, I was eager to see the direction she would lead the University. When I reached out to congratulate her, her warmth during our first interaction was something that really stood out to me. Emma's leadership has left a lasting impact on the University. Colleagues across the University speak highly of her vision, focus and intelligence. She will be missed. My heartfelt condolences to Emma's family and loved ones during this difficult time.

HR

Though Emma’s tenure at the University of Melbourne was short, her influence as a leading scientist, a powerful voice for the environment, and the first female Vice-Chancellor leaves a permanent impression on our institution. She championed curiosity and collaboration, demonstrating deep dedication to her staff and students. Her legacy is defined by intellect, courage, and visionary leadership. The greatest tribute we can pay to Emma is to successfully realize the future she envisioned for the University.

Shanika Karunasekera

Even though I never met Emma personally, I believe her passing is a great loss to the campus. I am sure her leadership and guidance would have taken it into a new era. My sincere condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues. She will be deeply missed.

Naleen Bandara

I wish to extend my sincere condolences to Prof Emma Johnston’s family and friends. It was a privilege to have met Emma. Our ongoing correspondence about teaching practice, the power of observation, slow thinking, slow looking, nature, and art, was an inspiration to me. I will deeply miss her support, and will treasure and reflect on our exchanges with great care.

Olivia Meehan, Faculty of Arts

All of us at Asialink are deeply saddened by the passing of University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor, Professor Emma Johnston AO. When Emma commenced at the University in early 2025, she graciously accepted our invitation to make welcome remarks during foundation week of the Asialink Leaders program. She generously made the time - as she so often did throughout her life and career - to meet and engage with passionate people keen to make a difference in the world. Emma spoke with warmth and insight about her lifelong engagement with Asia - as a child, a student, a researcher and most recently as Vice-Chancellor. She understood more than most that our shared regional challenges and opportunities are best faced together. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Professor Johnston’s family, friends and colleagues.

Asialink

There are leaders who make you feel you are in good hands just by their aura, the warmth and reassurance they exude with their smile, their mere presence in the room. Emma was that kind of leader. She was inspiring. It was heartbreaking to hear of her passing. I felt we lost so much opportunity to learn from her and be led by her. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.

Marissa Viray-Carlos

My sincere condolences to Emma's family and friends. I hope it's ok to express sadness for a person I never met. She was a quiet inspiration to me and I hoped to meet her one day. I was heartened to hear about her support for neurodivergent staff and students and so sad that such a lovely soul has now departed.

Kirsty Waring

Emma and I started in our respective roles in the same week. Whilst our roles were quite different, we would literally cross paths numerous times on campus due her being photographed and interviewed across the campus here in Parkville and going about her day to day work. I saw her more in the months she worked with us, than I had other VCs with the exception of one I had worked with previously. On reflection Emma's warmth, genuine curiosity about people and frequent visibility was what stood out to me. I have a vivid memory of her presumably walking to lunch with some colleagues and stopping to pick something a students had dropped without them realising and handing it back to them with a big smile on her face. My sincere condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.

Lucinda Mathieson

Although I did not have the opportunity to meet Emma, it is clear she was a remarkable leader who made a meaningful impact. Her leadership and dedication were clearly felt across the community. My sincere condolences to her family and friends.

Emma Carr