Sunrise reporter Nathan Templeton didn’t want family and friends to know what he was doing in his free time during his tragic last weeks of life.
As the sun sank below the horizon, the father of two dressed casually and hit the streets of Geelong, his hometown south of Melbourne.
Nestled among the cold and homeless of the rural town, the 44-year-old handed out hot meals to the needy and listened to lonely souls.
Channel 7 star Nathan Templeton hands a hot drink to a homeless man on the streets of Geelong.
Sunrise stars Nat Barr and Edwina Bartholomew traveled to Victoria for their former colleague’s funeral.
Former Sunrise presenter Sam Armytage (left) made the trip to Geelong to honor her former colleague and friend.
Nathan Templeton’s parents (pictured) attended Friday’s funeral in Geelong.
On Friday, Templeton was farewelled in a private ceremony by his closest loved ones before being honored at a memorial at GMHBA Stadium, the home ground of his beloved Geelong Cats AFL team.
While former Sunrise presenter Samantha Armytage arrived early for the funeral, current presenter Natalie Barr He was seen entering the stadium 10 minutes late. Barr was also among 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 on a footpath near the Barwon River in Geelong last week.
He left behind his wife Kate and her two young sons Jack and James, who also attended Friday’s funeral.
The cause of the star’s death remains a mystery, with her family describing it as a “medical episode.”
Templeton had worked for Seven for more than 12 years, including as Melbourne correspondent for its morning show Sunrise, and in its sports department.
However, he had not been on air at Sunrise since late 2022 and was working in a behind-the-scenes role last year.
WhatsNew2Day Australia understands Templeton had been dealing with long-standing personal issues, including depression, and had been receiving support.
Nathan Templeton helps a homeless man on one of his secret missions on the streets of Geelong
Nathan Templeton worked with torches to help homeless people living in public parks
Nathan Templeton did not boast about his charity work. He kept it quiet and did the job.
Mourners hugged each other at Templeton’s funeral in Geelong on Friday.
Natalie Barr (left) was seen entering the stadium 10 minutes late. Barr was also among the last to leave the funeral.
On Friday it was revealed that Templeton never stopped caring about others despite his own struggles in life.
‘Nath really valued community. Whether it was the Australian swimming community or the AFL, the Sunrise family or hometown Geelong, he always tried to give back,” his wife Kate told WhatsNew2Day Australia of him.
“Nath saw the Salvos as a gold standard in community service, so quietly volunteering for the Geelong Salvos outreach van was a modest way Nath felt he could help the people of the community to make it really difficult, through no fault of their own.
A source close to Templeton told WhatsNew2Day Australia that the star told virtually no one about her secret charity work in the weeks before her death.
“Until Nate died, no one knew he had been doing this job with the Geelong van except for the last few months, going out in the food van in the afternoons, about 7pm to 1am, and no one had any idea,” he said. . .
While Templeton had a long history of covering telethons and charity drives, those attending Friday’s funeral were moved by his tireless dedication to helping those less fortunate than himself.
The Salvation Army aid van supports some of the most vulnerable people in the Geelong community, providing food or supermarket vouchers to those experiencing homelessness and providing companionship to those who are struggling.
Channel 7 state political reporter Sharnelle Vella was among those who attended Friday’s funeral.
Friends of Nathan Templeton hug outside the Geelong Cats pitch on Friday
Nathan Templeton (left) covering the swim alongside Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe (far right)
Templeton was known to work with torches to help feed locals living in public parks.
Salvo volunteers who worked shifts with Templeton said they were deeply impressed by his genuine warmth and the long conversations he enjoyed with homeless people.
Templeton was revered among the city’s needy for his stories about football and other interesting topics.
“He really listened, which made those people feel genuinely seen and valued as people,” the source said.
‘Nath did this casual volunteering without fanfare. He never sought or expected anyone to know. ‘He was a very humble guy, who just wanted to help other people, especially those who were having a hard time in the community, and he didn’t need or seek any recognition.’
Templeton’s devastated wife and father, Rob, made the decision to highlight his good works in the hope of inspiring others to follow in his footsteps.
Mourners were asked at Friday’s funeral Consider making a donation to the Salvo relief van.
Volunteer companion Bradley Ogle, who worked alongside Templeton on the truck, remembered his partner as a kind soul with a knack for listening to others.
‘Nathan was a very dear friend of the Geelong Salvo Extension Truck family. “His warm and friendly nature was a light to many people he encountered while he volunteered with us,” he said.
Nathan Templeton was remembered as a kind, genuine guy who went out of his way to help others.
‘Nathan had a big heart for the disadvantaged and wanted to contribute and make a difference in the town he grew up in and he certainly did that.
“He was always very kind and encouraging and this was evident in the way people sympathized with him. He listened carefully, without judgment, and our friends felt safe being vulnerable with Nathan as they shared their struggles with him.
“People left Nathan’s presence feeling appreciated, respected and valued, and we will miss the blessing he was to our mission.”
Seven deputy news director Luke Schneider paid tribute to his former colleague and partner.
“As a top sports reporter at Seven, Nath thought a lot about ‘assists’ – those selfless, supportive acts on the football pitch and in many other settings, which often go unnoticed but make a real difference” , said.
“So Salvo de Nath’s secret assists, which helped the Geelong people do it tough without fanfare, were entirely in keeping with his humble and thoughtful nature.
It is clear that he never expected any recognition. But knowing Nath, she would have been fully supportive of anything that could help raise some 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 were not surprised to learn that Nathan was creating connections within the Geelong region through the Salvo outreach van as he made those same connections with our football club as a broadcaster and MC for six years,” he said.
“As a proud Geelong person, Nathan’s commitment to football and the community was felt by everyone.”
The Templeton family hopes to raise $10,000 for South Barwon Salvos in honor of the star.
A QR code that links to a Salvation Army donation page