Former Bondi Rescue lifeguard Matt Dee has died aged 47, with tributes pouring in for the popular TV personality and mental health advocate.
The heartbreaking news was announced on Dee’s Instagram account on Wednesday morning in a post featuring a photo of him holding a beer.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the heart-breaking news of the passing of our Matt Dee,” the post said.
“Matt touched the lives of many, he also did amazing work and he will be deeply missed and forever remembered by those who knew and loved him.”
Dee appeared on Bondi Rescue from 2008 to 2017 and was a familiar face among the Bondi lifeguard team.
He was also the founder and chief executive of clothing brand FTW Revolution and an ambassador for Suicide Prevention Australia.
In a LinkedIn post about his work with FTW Revolution, Dee spoke about the importance of “standing up for your fellow soldier” and making the most of life.
“When the final curtain’s coming down will you wish you’d spent more time on the couch or the hamster wheel?” he wrote.
“Na! You wanna go out knowing you laughed, traveled, played hard and did your bit for mankind.”
Tributes from Dee’s former Bondi colleagues followed the announcement of his death.
“Rest easy brother,” Bondi lifeguard Maxi wrote on Instagram, alongside a love heart.
Lifeguard Whippet also shared a tribute to his former colleague on his Instagram Stories.
“Big love Matty Dee,” he wrote.
“You had a wild life and you will be missed by many.”
