Iconic Australian journalist, radio and television presenter, Simon Townsend passed away on Tuesday, 14 January 2025, aged 79.
Simon previously was a regular writer for The Australian Women’s Weekly and later New Idea. He compiled a Wonder World! page for the children’s section, inspired and based on his popular children’s television show of the same name.
The Sydney native had a short battle with an aggressive form of cancer, as confirmed by his family.
Simon began his illustrious career in media and journalism at the young age of 16 as a reporter for a Gosford newspaper and went on to work for The Weekend Australian A Current Affair, and ABC’s The Day Tonight. He also created the ABC show TVTV, was a radio presenter at 2GB for a time, and was a correspondent for CNN and the United Nations.
He was best known for his creation of the popular children’s television show in the 1970s and 80s Wonder World!
The daily show included entertainment, news, and a musical segment which showcased numerous Australian bands. Wonder World! garnered widespread popularity and was awarded five Logie Awards for Most Popular Children’s Television series.
Simon is also remembered as a person who stood up for his beliefs. He was a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War and a self-described pacifist. Not only was he active in the anti-war movement, but he refused orders when he was conscripted into the war effort. As a result, he was incarcerated in 1968 for a month in Long Bay jail. This move led to “Free Townsend” protests in Sydney.
While working at A Current Affair, Simon met his first wife Rosanna with whom he had two children Michael and Nadia — an actress who has starred in City Homicide and Home and Away. He also had another daughter, Lisbeth Kennelly, also an actress who has appeared in Rake, Water Rats and E Street.
After Rosanna died in 2003, he rekindled a relationship with a girlfriend from his youth, Kerrie Gleeson, until she passed away in 2015.
Simon is survived by his three children, five grandchildren, and his brothers.
