Powerful moment locals turn out to say goodbye to Bondi Rescue lifeguard Matt Dee after he died suddenly at 47 – as the tragic backstory of his brother and sister is revealed
“Heaviest of hearts”: Locals bid emotional farewell to tragic Matt Dee
Bondi Rescue lifeguard Matt Dee was honoured with a heartwarming paddle-out at Bronte Beach on Saturday.
Matt, who featured on the reality show from 2008 until 2017, died suddenly at the age of 47 earlier this month.
A touching farewell for the lifeguard and mental health ambassador saw friends, family, fans and fellow surfers gather along the sand with flowers and take to the waves with their surfboards.
Food, drinks and music were shared among the crowd, with the celebration of Matt’s life kicking off under the sun as attendees shared memories of the lifeguard.
Matt spent almost a decade saving lives on Sydney’s eastern beaches.
He also dedicated himself to helping people who struggled with their mental health, inspired by the struggles of his brother and sister, who died in the space of a year, following their own battles.
Matt’s family announced his death last Wednesday in a statement shared on social media.
‘It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our Matt Dee,’ they began.
‘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 and details will be shared once they have been finalised.
‘If Matt’s passing has brought up difficult feelings for you, please know that you don’t have to face them alone. Support is available.’
Matt became one of Bondi Rescue’s most recognisable and beloved lifeguards, winning fans with his cheeky humour, infectious personality and unmistakable Aussie charm.
His popularity was so great that Bondi Rescue later celebrated his greatest moments in a compilation titled ‘The Most Aussie Lifeguard EVER’.
Away from the cameras, Matt dedicated much of his time to helping others, co-founding non-profit organisation FTW Revolution and working to raise awareness around mental health.
He was also a Suicide Prevention Australia advocate.
The reality TV personality’s younger sister, Rachel Bridger Dee, died aged 30 in December 2009, following a decade-long battle with schizophrenia.
His older brother Jonathan had bipolar disorder and died several months earlier.
The Bondi Rescue star and his siblings grew up in a tight-knit family, being raised by their single mother in Melbourne.
Matt’s tragic passing is the latest in a string of tragedies that have plagued Bondi Rescue lifeguards over the years, ranging from deaths to assault and drug charges.
One such tragedy included the death of beloved lifeguard Terry ‘T-Mac’ McDermott, aged 63, on September 1, 2022.
He died following a battle with cancer and his passing was announced in a post on the Facebook page Bondi Rescue Lifeguards.
Terry was described as one of ‘the nicest watermen to don a jersey’.
‘This selfless man saved countless lives during his career spanning more than 30 years working at many different beaches,’ the tribute read.
‘Terry, Tezzy, T-Mac, Moondoggy McDermott. Thank you for your service to the community. Rest easy great man.’
Terry spent 20 years working as a lifeguard on the Central Coast and 10 years patrolling the famous Bondi Beach.