Vale Simon Dunn, Australian Bobsledder, LGBTQIA+ Advocate: Dead At 35
Trigger warning: Details of the following story may be troubling for some readers.
In tragic news, it has been confirmed that Simon Dunn has died at age 35. Simon’s death, which is thought to be accidental, has been confirmed by his management company, Ruby Rose, in a press release today.
According to Star Observer, police were called to Simon’s Surry Hills home at 10am on Saturday, January 21 where they found his body. A police spokesperson says, “The body is believed to be that of the 35-year-old occupant. Officers from Surry Hills Police Area Command have commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding his death, which is not being treated as suspicious.”
Simon was born in New South Wales in 1987 and grew up in Wollongong. He was a rugby league player and part of the Sydney Convicts gay team, which has successfully won the Bingham Cup. He later played with the Kings Cross Stealers in the UK. He also spent time in Canada, where he trained to compete in the Winter Olympics with the Australian bobsleigh team. He was the first openly gay athlete on the bobsleigh team. He returned to Australia to recuperate from a torn bicep injury in 2021 and dedicated himself to advocacy work within the LGBTQIA+ community.
He was an ambassador for the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, Australia’s longest-running HIV charity, and GiveOut Day. He was outspoken on the issue of homophobia in sport. In response to a homophobic social media post by rugby player Israel Folau, Simon established a Go Fund Me page to raise funds for Twenty-Ten, a support organisation for at-risk LGBTQIA+ youth, which raised over $11,000. He also appeared on Sky News to explain how Folau’s comments were damaging to the well-being and mental health of young LGBTQIA+ people.
Simon partnered with the UK’s Terrence Higgs Trust to helm a public awareness campaign encouraging gay men to test for HIV.
“Simon was passionate about giving back to the community and volunteering, he gave his time, and utilising his profile, to help multiple charities. Like all great ambassadors, he had his favourites which included Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, Give Out Day and Pride in Sport,” said a spokesperson for Ruby Rose Management.
Simon maintained a high media profile. He wrote a fitness column for DNA and appeared on our cover three times, most recently on issue DNA #265 as an ambassador for the P&O Pride cruises. He was also voted #1 in Attitude magazine’s Hot 100 list in 2017. He also used his popularity on social media to talk openly about his struggles with depression.
Simon proved to be a talented actor when he starred in the music video for Greg Gould and Inaya Day’s song, Love Like This. He had also begun a career as a DJ.
The official statement quotes Simon as saying, “I am not the spokesman, I am just a gay white male telling you about my experiences, and experiences from those with whom I listened and learnt. The sharing of these stories gives us all an appreciation of what has led us to where we are today.”
OPINION
Everyone at DNA extends their condolences and love to Simon’s family and friends. And there are many friends. He was greatly loved by the LGBTQIA+ community, not just as an accomplished athlete but also as a spokesperson, role model and tireless advocate. Simon rarely turned down an opportunity to contribute, to raise funds or to raise his voice.
The team at DNA worked closely with Simon over the years and valued his input, his generosity of spirit, and his friendship. He will be greatly missed.
If this story has raised issues for you contact…
In Australia:
Lifeline on 13 11 14 for 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention.
QLife on 1800 184 527 for Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support.
BeyondBlue on 1300 22 4636 for support and mental health resources.
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
Rainbow Door (Victoria) on 1800 729 367 for information, support, and referral to LGBTIQA+ Victorians.
NSW Mental Health Access Line on 1800 011 511.
In the US:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255
In Canada:
The Canada Suicide Prevention Service on 1-833-456-4566
In the UK
The National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652
Resources for other countries can be found here.
GoFundMe
A GoFundMe page has been established by Simon’s management to raise funds on behalf of Simon’s family to assist with covering the costs of his public funeral.
