Former Bondi Rescue lifeguard Matt Dee has died, prompting tributes for a television personality who later devoted much of his public life to mental health and suicide-prevention advocacy. FTW Revolution, the organisation he co-founded, announced his death on Wednesday. His cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
The announcement described Dee as someone who touched many lives through his work and friendships. Funeral details are expected to be shared after arrangements are finalised by his loved ones.
Matt Dee’s cause of death has not been disclosed
Search interest in Matt Dee rose rapidly after news of his death emerged, with many people asking what happened to the former Bondi lifeguard. Current reports have not identified an illness, accident or other confirmed medical cause.
Dee’s long involvement in suicide prevention makes accuracy particularly important. His advocacy and family history should not be interpreted as evidence about his own death unless his family or representatives release further information.
The Bondi Rescue personality viewers remembered
Dee worked as a professional lifeguard at Sydney’s Bondi Beach and appeared on Bondi Rescue for several years. Reports differ slightly on his exact years on the program, but his humour, energy and larger-than-life personality made him one of its recognisable faces.
Clips featuring Dee continued reaching audiences online after his television appearances, with compilations of his lighter moments attracting millions of views. The reaction to his death reflects the connection Australian viewers often retain with familiar television personalities, something also seen following the death of Australian television and radio veteran Jamie Dunn.
Tributes appeared soon after Dee’s death was announced. Fellow Bondi Rescue lifeguard Trent “Maxi” Maxwell wrote “Rest easy brother,” while filmmaker Kid Mac posted a brief tribute. Childhood friend Mark Miccoli also remembered their younger years surfing together and Dee’s enthusiasm for life.
Why FTW Revolution meant more than a clothing brand
Dee’s mental health work grew from profound loss within his own family. His sister Rachel, 30, lived with schizophrenia, while his older brother Jonathon, 34, lived with bipolar disorder. Both died in 2009.
The siblings grew up in Melbourne with their mother and spent holidays around Torquay, where they learned to surf. The family later moved to Sydney as Rachel and Jonathon faced worsening mental health difficulties.
Those experiences became central to Dee’s later advocacy. He co-founded FTW Revolution, combining surfing and action-sports culture with messages about resilience, mental health and suicide prevention. Reports say the initiative raised about A$500,000 for suicide-prevention efforts.
Dee also worked as an ambassador for Suicide Prevention Australia and spoke publicly about schizophrenia and the need for better support. Suicide Prevention Australia is the national peak body representing Australia’s suicide-prevention sector.
His passing is another loss for Australian television audiences following the death of McLeod’s Daughters actress Rachael Carpani, whose screen career was similarly remembered by viewers and former colleagues.
Matt Dee’s legacy extended beyond Bondi Beach
Dee will be remembered by many viewers for the humour and personality he brought to Bondi Rescue, but his work after personal tragedy became an equally significant part of his public life. He used the audience he had built through television and surfing culture to speak about conditions that had directly affected his family.
For now, the circumstances of his death remain private. The tributes that followed Wednesday’s announcement instead underline the two sides of Dee’s public legacy: the lifeguard who entertained Bondi Rescue audiences and the advocate who used his profile to push difficult conversations about mental health into the open.
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