Simon Townsend, Iconic Australian TV Host, Dies at 79

The creator of the beloved children's show 'Wonder World' passed away after battling aggressive cancer, leaving a legacy of groundbreaking television and activism.

• Simon Townsend, renowned for his children's TV show 'Wonder World,' passed away at the age of 79 due to aggressive cancer.
• The show aired from 1979 to 1987, producing over 2,000 episodes and winning five Logie Awards for Most Popular Children's Television Series.
• Townsend was a passionate advocate for children's programming, often clashing with regulators to maintain the show's innovative and respectful tone for young audiences.
• In his early years, Townsend was a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War, serving jail time as a conscientious objector and leaving a lasting mark on Australia's anti-war movement.
• He is remembered as a trailblazer in Australian television and a devoted family man, survived by his three children and five grandchildren.

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The Sydney Morning Herald The Guardian 9News Australian Broadcasting Corporation