Aussie TV presenter dies at 79 Clareese Packer, 1/14/2025 Australian TV presenter Simon Townsend, known for his groundbreaking children's show "Wonder World," has passed away at 79 after battling aggressive cancer. Celebrated for his vibrant approach to children's entertainment, Townsend's legacy lives on through heartfelt tributes from fans and peers alike. Australian TV presenter and journalist Simon Townsend has died at the age of 79.
Townsend, who had been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, died on Tuesday.
In a statement, his family said: "In his final days, Simon was surrounded by his family and a mix of journalists, writers, actors, political activists and Italians.
"The conversation to the last was loud, passionate and full of laughs."
Townsend hosted children's entertainment TV show Wonder World, which ran between 1979 and 1987 and won five Logie Awards.
"Simon often found himself in a stoush with Australian children's television regulators, fighting to maintain his show's boundary-pushing ethos and preserve his children's TV rating," his family's statement read.
"The edict to all involved in making the show was that they never talk down to children."
Townsend was also known for a stint in jail that sparked protests across Sydney.
The journalist was a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War and spent a month in Long Bay jail as a result.
Journalist Michael Smyth issued a heartfelt tribute on social media and referred to Townsend's iconic Wonder World sign-off "the world really is wonderful".
"Sad to hear of the passing of Simon Townsend," Smythe posted to X.
"Always loved watching Wonderworld and dreamed one day of being a reporter.
"And remember, the world really is wonderful."
Others flocked to social media to farewell the iconic TV presenter.
"Vale to a hero," one wrote.
"Vale Simon Townsend. As a child of the 1980s, his show Simon Townsend's Wonder World was a staple of our afternoon viewing," another posted.