A huge crowd has gathered on Sydney’s coast for an emotional paddle-out honouring former Bondi Rescue lifeguard Matt Dee following his sudden death.
Friends, family and fellow lifeguards came together at Bronte Beach on Saturday, where the 47-year-old’s ashes were scattered in the ocean.
Photos from the farewell show surfers forming a large circle in the water, where Dee spent almost a decade saving lives.
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They then paddled back to shore together on a giant party wave.
The crowd later continued celebrating Dee’s life with food, drinks and music.
News of Dee’s death was shared on Instagram on September 2, with his best friend Kev Goodall saying he was believed to have died from natural causes.
Goodall said the number of people who turned out on Saturday reflected just how loved Dee was.
“He always made you feel like he was everyone’s best mate,” Goodall said.
“He was a really well-loved, unique character. We just wanted to give him a good send-off that’s fit for the Pirate King.”
Dee became a beloved face on Australian television, appearing on Bondi Rescue from 2008 to 2017.
He has a YouTube page dedicated to him called The Most Aussie Lifeguard EVER? Best Of Matt Dee From Bondi Rescue, which has amassed more than three million followers across the globe.
Away from the TV screen, Dee was also a passionate and tireless mental health advocate.
Following his sudden death at the age of 47, an outpouring of grief from his former co-stars, friends and the local community highlighted the profound impact he had on those around him.
The surf club remembered his “infectious personality” and his ability to bring happiness to the lives of others.
But Dee was also candid about his own struggles, including the heavy guilt he carried following the deaths of his siblings.
The mental health advocate lost both his siblings Rachel, 30, and Jonathon, 34, in 2009. Both lived with mental illness.
His grandmother also took her own life when Dee was 15 years old.
His sister suffered from schizophrenia and his older brother had bipolar disorder, with Dee telling the Sydney Morning Herald in 2011 they both did their best to manage their illnesses.
“What happened was not their fault,” Dee said.
“They did their best to manage their illnesses. It wasn’t their fault. They had a problem inside their heads.
“It’s something we don’t understand. How would we know what it’s like?”
Dee was open about the guilt he carried surrounding his siblings’ deaths, and feeling like he could have done more.
But he went on to honour their lives and share his loss to help others struggling with their mental health.
Dee co-founded clothing and events brand FTW Revolution as a suicide prevention resource for young Australians and later became an ambassador for Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA).
His sudden death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from those who knew him, both personally and professionally.
If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 131114. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.