Nathan Templeton death: Revelations emerge about Sunrise reporter’s secret life as TV reporter is farewelled by hundreds including Sam Armytage and Natalie Barr

Sunrise reporter Nathan Templeton didn’t want family and friends to know what he was up to in his spare time during his last tragic weeks of life.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the father-of-two dressed smartly and hit the streets of Geelong, his hometown south of Melbourne.

Huddled among the cold and the rural town’s needy, the 44-year-old handed out hot meals to those in need and listened to lonely souls.

On Friday, Templeton was farewelled by his closest loved ones in a private ceremony before being honored at a memorial service at GMHBA Stadium – home of his beloved Geelong Cats AFL team.

While former Sunrise host Samantha Armytage arrived early for the memorial, the current host was Natalie Barr was spotted walking into the stadium 10 minutes late. Barr was also one of the last to leave the service.

They were joined by a who’s who of television reporters, cameramen and notable former Cats stars such as Cameron Ling, who was also a former colleague of Templeton.

Templeton’s body was found last week on a hiking trail near the Barwon River in Geelong.

He left his W behindFor example, Kate and their two young sons Jack and James, who also attended Friday’s memorial.

The star’s cause of death remains a mystery. His family describes it as a “medical episode.”

Templeton has worked for Seven for more than 12 years, including as a Melbourne correspondent for the breakfast show Sunrise and in the sports department.

However, he had not been on Sunrise since late 2022 and was working behind the scenes last year.

Daily Mail Australia understands Templeton has long struggled with personal issues, including depression, and has received support.

It was revealed on Friday that Templeton never stopped caring for others, despite his own struggles in life.

‘Nath valued community. Whether it was the Australian swimming or AFL communities, the Sunrise family or his hometown of Geelong, he always tried to give something back,” his wife Kate told Daily Mail Australia.

“Nath saw the Salvos as the gold standard for serving the community, so quietly volunteering for the Geelong Salvos outreach van was a modest way in which Nath felt he could help people in the community who were going through real tough times, through no fault of their own.”

A source close to Templeton told Daily Mail Australia that the star told virtually no one about his secret charity work in the weeks before his death.

“No one knew until Nate’s death that he had been doing this work for the past few months with the Geelong Salvo’s outreach bus, going out with the food truck in the evenings from about 7pm to 1am and no one had any idea,” he said. .

Although Templeton had a long history of covering telethons and charity events, those at Friday’s memorial were moved by his continued dedication to helping those less fortunate than himself.

The Salvation Army outreach van is supporting some of the Geelong community’s most vulnerable people, providing food or supermarket vouchers to people experiencing homelessness while providing companionship to those who are struggling.

Templeton was known to work by torchlight to feed locals in public parks.

Salvo volunteers who worked shifts at Templeton said they were deeply affected by his genuine warmth and the long conversations he enjoyed with homeless people.

Templeton was revered among the city’s needy with his stories of football and other interesting subjects.

“He really listened, which made those people feel genuinely seen and valued as people,” the source said.

‘Nath did this occasional volunteer work without any fuss. He never expected or anticipated that anyone would know anything about it. He was a very humble man who just wanted to help other people, especially those who were doing it the hardest in the community, and he didn’t need or seek recognition.”

Templeton’s devastated wife and his father Rob made the decision to highlight his good deeds in the hope of inspiring others to follow in his footsteps.

Mourners at Friday’s memorial were questioned to consider making a donation to Salvo’s outreach vehicle.

Fellow volunteer Bradley Ogle, who worked in the van with Templeton, remembered his partner as a kind soul with a knack for listening to others.

“Nathan was a much-loved friend of the Geelong Salvo outreach vehicle family. “His warm and friendly nature was a relief to the many he encountered while volunteering with us,” he said.

“Nathan had a big heart for the underprivileged and wanted to give back and make a difference in the city he grew up in, and he certainly succeeded.

“He was always so kind and encouraging, and it showed in the way people warmly appreciated him. He listened intently, without judgment, and our friends felt safe to be vulnerable with Nathan as they shared their struggles with him.

“People left Nathan’s presence feeling valued, respected and valued, and we will miss what a blessing he was to our mission.”

Deputy news director at Seven, Luke Schneider, paid tribute to his former colleague and mate.

“As a top sports reporter at Seven, Nath thought a lot about ‘assists’ – those selfless, supportive acts on the football field and many other arenas, which often go unnoticed but make a real difference,” he said.

“So Nath’s secret Salvo’s assists, helping people in Geelong get through tough times without fanfare, were completely in keeping with his humble and thoughtful nature.

‘It’s clear he never expected any recognition. But knowing Nath he would have supported anything that could help bring in a few extra donations to help the Salvos continue their great work in the Geelong community.”

Former Cats great and current CEO Steve Hocking said Templeton’s secret acts of kindness were in keeping with his partner’s character.

“We weren’t surprised to hear that Nathan was creating connections within the Geelong region through the Salvo outreach bus, as he spent six years making the same connections with our football club as a ground announcer and MC,” he said.

“As a proud Geelong person, Nathan’s commitment to football and the community was felt by all.”

The Templeton family are hoping to raise $10,000 for the South Barwon Salvos in honor of the star.

ANYONE WHO WANT TO HELP THE Salvation Army OUTREACH CAN DO SO BY FOLLOWING THE LINK HERE OR THE QR CODE BELOW