Updated: September 2, 2026
SYDNEY, Australia — Matt Dee, the former Bondi Rescue lifeguard and mental health advocate who co-founded FTW Revolution, has died. His death was announced on September 2, 2026, by FTW Revolution, the clothing and events company he helped establish.
Dee became widely known through his appearances on the Australian television series Bondi Rescue, where he worked as a lifeguard at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Away from television, he became an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, drawing on personal experiences that shaped much of his later work.
His death has prompted tributes from former Bondi Rescue colleagues, Bondi lifeguards and members of the wider community.
Matt Dee’s Bondi Rescue Career
Dee was part of the Bondi lifeguard community during the years in which Bondi Rescue followed the work of lifeguards responsible for keeping swimmers and beachgoers safe at one of Australia’s best-known beaches.
He appeared on the program between approximately 2008 and 2017, becoming a familiar face to viewers of the long-running reality series.
His time as a lifeguard placed him in a demanding public-facing role, while his later advocacy work gave him another platform through which he spoke openly about mental health.
Former colleagues have remembered Dee as a distinctive personality and an important part of the Bondi lifeguard community.
Matt Dee’s Mental Health Advocacy
Dee was particularly known for his work promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
He co-founded FTW Revolution, a clothing and events company that used its platform to raise awareness and financial support for mental health-related causes. The organisation raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for related initiatives.
Dee also served as an ambassador for Suicide Prevention Australia, further connecting his public profile with efforts to encourage conversations about mental health and suicide prevention.
His advocacy was informed by personal experience.
Dee had spoken publicly about living with bipolar disorder and about the deaths of both of his siblings in 2009.
His older brother, Jonathan, had bipolar disorder, while his younger sister, Rachel, had schizophrenia. Contemporary reporting stated that both siblings died by suicide.
Those experiences became an important part of Dee’s decision to speak publicly about mental health and encourage people to seek support.
Cause of Matt Dee’s Death
The cause of Matt Dee’s death has not been publicly confirmed or disclosed.
Reports from several established news organisations, including ABC News, RNZ and 7NEWS, have stated that no cause of death had been made public at the time of the announcement.
There is currently no confirmed statement from Dee’s family or FTW Revolution attributing his death to suicide or to any particular medical condition.
His history of mental health advocacy and his public comments about personal loss should therefore not be interpreted as evidence about the circumstances of his death.
Further information should come only from his family, representatives or another authoritative source.
Tributes From the Bondi Community
News of Dee’s death has led to an outpouring of tributes from people who knew him through his work at Bondi Beach and his advocacy.
Former Bondi Rescue colleague Trent “Maxi” Maxwell was among those to remember Dee, describing him in deeply personal terms.
The Bondi lifeguard community has also paid tribute to their former colleague, with people remembering Dee’s distinctive character and the impact he had on those around him.
One recurring description has been that he was “one of a kind,” a phrase that captures how colleagues and friends viewed his personality.
FTW Revolution and Dee’s Legacy
Through FTW Revolution, Dee helped create a platform that connected popular culture, clothing, events and mental health advocacy.
The organisation’s fundraising efforts supported causes connected with mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Dee’s willingness to discuss his own experiences helped make those subjects part of his public identity.
His legacy therefore extends beyond his television appearances.
For people who knew him as a lifeguard, he was part of the Bondi Beach community. For others, he was an advocate who used his public profile to encourage conversations about mental health and the importance of seeking help.
Funeral Arrangements
Funeral arrangements for Matt Dee were still being finalised when his death was announced on September 2, 2026.
Details about a funeral or memorial service should be confirmed through Dee’s family, FTW Revolution or other authorised representatives before being shared as final.
Remembering Matt Dee
Matt Dee’s life brought together several very different worlds. He worked as a Bondi lifeguard, appeared on Australian television and later devoted significant energy to mental health advocacy.
His openness about bipolar disorder and the loss of his siblings gave personal meaning to the causes he supported. Through FTW Revolution and his work with suicide-prevention organisations, he helped raise awareness and funds for mental health initiatives.
As former colleagues and friends remember him, Dee’s contribution to the Bondi lifeguard community and his advocacy for mental health remain central to the public record of his life.
Editorial note: This article does not speculate about Matt Dee’s cause of death. Any future update about the circumstances of his death should be based on a direct statement from his family, representatives or an authoritative investigating or medical authority.
Mental Health and Crisis Support in Australia
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or thoughts of suicide, confidential support is available in Australia:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
If there is an immediate risk to someone’s safety, call 000 in Australia.