Former Bondi lifeguard Matt Dee is being remembered in Bondi Beach for a life closely connected with the beach, surfing and years of work in mental health and suicide prevention.
A Familiar Part of Bondi Beach
Dee worked as a Bondi lifeguard with Waverley Council from September 2005, building a long association with the beach and the lifeguard community around it.
His death was announced by FTW Revolution, the organisation he co-founded, with funeral arrangements still being finalised.
The news was felt among people connected with Bondi and the wider surfing community, including fellow lifeguards and people who had known Dee through years spent in and around the water.
Turning Personal Loss Into Advocacy
Away from the shoreline, Dee became increasingly involved in mental health and suicide prevention advocacy.
He co-founded FTW Revolution and served as its chief executive, using clothing, events and fundraising to support suicide prevention initiatives. Surfing and action sports remained closely linked with the organisation, giving the work a natural connection to communities Dee already knew.
FTW was also associated with Suicide Prevention Australia, with Dee stating that nearly half a million dollars had been raised for the organisation over a two-year period.
His advocacy was shaped by personal experience. Dee had spoken publicly about losing his brother and sister to suicide, and those losses became part of the motivation behind his work supporting greater awareness around mental health.
He also served as an ambassador for Suicide Prevention Australia, focusing on fundraising and awareness around suicide prevention and mental health.
Community Tributes Remember the Person Behind the Work
Dee’s work brought together parts of his life that had long overlapped — surfing, friendship, lifeguarding and mental health advocacy.
People who knew him through those circles remembered shared time in the water, friendships formed over the years and the encouragement he gave to others.
For some, his connection with FTW Revolution was another part of that relationship, particularly its emphasis on reaching people who may have been struggling and encouraging them to seek support.
That work gave Dee a presence beyond his role on the beach, while keeping him closely connected with the surfing and lifeguard communities that had been part of his life for years.
FTW Revolution said funeral details would be shared once arrangements were finalised.
The organisation also shared mental health support contacts following his death, including Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800. Emergency assistance is available through 000.
Published 2-September-2026
