Former Bondi Rescue lifeguard Matt Dee has died aged 47, prompting tributes from former colleagues and fans of the long-running Australian television series.
Dee’s death was announced on Wednesday, 2 September 2026, in a statement shared by FTW Revolution, the clothing and events organisation he co-founded.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our Matt Dee,” his family 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.”
Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced. The family also urged anyone affected by the news to seek support, while Dee’s cause of death has not been publicly confirmed. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-02/matt-dee-former-bondi-rescue-lifeguard-dies/107108070?utm_source=openai))
Known to viewers for his humour and easy-going personality, Dee appeared on Bondi Rescue between 2008 and 2017. The programme, which follows the lifeguards patrolling Sydney’s Bondi Beach, has been broadcast on Network 10 since 2006.
Tributes were posted by the official Bondi Lifeguards account and former cast member Trent Maxwell, who wrote: “Rest easy brother.” Dee was also celebrated by the programme in a compilation of his appearances titled The Most Aussie Lifeguard EVER. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-02/matt-dee-former-bondi-rescue-lifeguard-dies/107108070?utm_source=openai))
Matt Dee’s mental health advocacy
Beyond television, Dee devoted much of his time to mental health and suicide prevention. He co-founded FTW Revolution as a resource for young people who might not feel able to approach traditional support services.
The organisation later worked with Suicide Prevention Australia, with FTW Revolution saying it had raised at least 500,000 Australian dollars for the charity. Dee became an ambassador for the organisation and regularly spoke about the importance of reaching people in distress. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-02/matt-dee-former-bondi-rescue-lifeguard-dies/107108070?utm_source=openai))
His commitment to the cause was shaped by the deaths of his older brother Jonathan, who had bipolar disorder, and his younger sister Rachel, who lived with schizophrenia. The siblings died within months of one another, and Dee subsequently spoke publicly about the impact of mental illness on his family.
In an interview reported by The Sun-Herald, he said their illnesses were not their fault and described the difficulty of understanding what they had experienced. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-02/matt-dee-former-bondi-rescue-lifeguard-dies/107108070?utm_source=openai))
Dee’s death comes four years after fellow Bondi lifeguard Terry “T-Man” McDermott died aged 63 following a battle with cancer. McDermott had worked on beaches along Australia’s Central Coast and spent a decade patrolling Bondi Beach.
For many viewers, Dee will be remembered both as a familiar face from Bondi Rescue and for the mental health work he pursued after leaving the programme.
