Tributes flow for pioneering doctor, former NSW Young Australian of the Year Dr Nikhil Autar following death at age 32
A pioneering doctor who battled cancer in his youth and campaigned against the scourge of domestic violence has died aged 32.
Dr Nikhil Autar did not let the leukemia diagnosis he received at the age of 17 stop him from making a difference in the lives of others and continued his medical education.
Named NSW Young Australian of the Year in 2024 after graduating from Western Sydney University; it was a testament to his courage in the face of adversity.
But now tributes have poured in following her death, confirmed by a heartbreaking social media post from Doctors Against Violence Against Women, a passionate campaign group she helped set up.
It reads: “It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved co-founder, Dr. Nikhil Autar.”
“|There are people who quietly act to make the world better. Dr Nikhil Autar was one of them and DAVTW could not exist without him.”
Founding partner Dr. “There was something about his approach, his selflessness, that made me trust him,” Anita Hutchison wrote in her post.
“He didn’t ask for anything from us. He just wanted to help.”
As well as her work in the medical profession, Dr Autar has also fought to improve accessibility for disabled people and campaigned against the close-knit case of domestic violence.
He created a mobile phone app called Knia (Know in Advance) Maps that helps people with disabilities access hospitals, college campuses, and public venues.
He also founded a social enterprise called Breen Health, which provides low-cost medical devices to sick and vulnerable people, while also raising half a million dollars for pressure sores and medical device research.
Former Australian of the Year Richard Scoyler and his wife Dr. Katie Nicoll, MD. He was among those who commemorated Autar.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of the remarkable Australian Nikhil Autar, who showed us all the importance of living with compassion, kindness and a never-ending commitment to helping others,” they wrote in a social media post.
“Nikhil’s determination and courage, combined with his humility and great sense of humor, shone brightly.”
