The Australian television community is mourning the loss of a true legend, Simon Townsend, who passed away at the age of 79.
The veteran journalist and TV personality had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer just before his passing.
A Career Spanning Decades: Remembering Simon Townsend’s Wonder World!
Townsend’s claim to fame was his iconic show “Simon Townsend’s Wonder World!”, which first aired on Channel Ten in 1979.
The show was a game-changer in children’s television, tackling tough topics like mental health, bullying, and social justice in a way that was both entertaining and educational.
The show’s mascot, Woodrow the bloodhound, became a household name, and Townsend’s signature sign-off “and remember, the world really is wonderful” is still remembered fondly by many today.
A Legacy of Excellence: Awards and Accolades
During its run, “Wonder World” clocked up an impressive 2,000 episodes, won five Logie awards, and consistently topped the ratings for Channel Ten.
The show’s success was a testament to Townsend’s dedication to creating content that was both fun and informative for young audiences.
A Life of Passion and Conviction
But Townsend’s impact went far beyond the world of children’s television. In 1967, he made headlines as a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War, spending 28 days in Long Bay jail for refusing to fight.
His family remembers him as a passionate and outspoken individual who was never afraid to speak his mind.
“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,” they said.
Tributes Pour In: Colleagues and Friends Remember Simon Townsend
Tributes have been pouring in from the television community, including from TV and radio presenter Amanda Keller, who worked as a researcher on “Wonder World”.
“I was a researcher there, and was lucky enough to work alongside some of the most talented people of my generation,” she said in a social media post.
Townsend’s family has also shared a heartfelt statement, remembering him as a man who was “surrounded by his family and a mix of journalists, writers, actors, political activists and Italians” in his final days.
“The conversation to the last was loud, passionate and full of laughs,” they said.