Veteran television presenter and journalist Simon Townsend dead age 79

His family confirmed the news in a statement.

"In his final days, Simon was surrounded by his family and a mix of journalists, writers, actors, political activists and Italians," the statement said.

Townsend is best known as the creator and host of Wonder World, a children's television show that aired on Network Ten from 1979 until 1987.

On each episode, Townsend would give an introduction accompanied by his pet Woodrow. He would then present four individual magazine-style stories, each done by a different reporter.

He would sign off each Wonder World episode with "the world is a wonderful place".

The show won five Logies for Most Popular Children's Television series.

In 1993, the show was relaunched on the Nine Network as Wonder World!, hosted by Pascall Fox.

Journalist Michael Smyth wrote a tribute to Townsend on X.

"Sad to hear of the passing of Simon Townsend," he wrote.

"Always loved watching Wonderworld and dreamed one day of being a reporter.

"And remember, the world really is wonderful."

Townsend's first job was for a newspaper in Gosford, NSW, as the Woy Woy correspondent, where he produced his own column for teens.

While working as a journalist he drew wider attention because of his objection to the Vietnam War.

He spent two months in prison for refusing his conscription to the Vietnam War, a month at Long Bay prison and another one-month stint at an army prison in 1968.

During his incarceration, his first daughter Lisbeth Kennelly was adopted out by her birth mother, he was reunited with her in 1991 when adoption laws changed.

Townsend had two children with his wife Rosanna, Nadia and Michael.

Townsend's nephew Steve Torso wrote on social media his uncle "inspired him in so many ways".

"We were blessed to have an incredible childhood with so many experiences, laughs and fun times," he wrote. "The TV personality version of him translated into how he was with his family. Loving, sharing and motivating."