Simon Townsend's prison past revealed following TV presenter's death aged 79
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News of beloved journalist and TV presenter Simon Townsend's death has sent shockwaves through the Australian entertainment industry. His death, at age 79, was announced on Wednesday via his family, as reported by ABC News. Simon was best remembered as the creator, host and producer of iconic '80s children's show Simon Townsend's Wonder World.
![[Simon was best remembered as the creator, host and producer of iconic '80s children's show Simon Townsend's Wonder World however, he has quite the interesting life away from the camera, making headlines after being imprisoned for protesting the Vietnam war]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/15/07/94107075-14285967-Simon_was_best_remembered_as_the_creator_host_and_producer_of_ic-a-1_1736925125524.jpg)
The series, which was broadcast on Network Ten from 1979 to 1987, was a true hit of its time, landing five Logie Awards for Most Popular Children's Television series. Simon's successful concept was given a second run in 1993, when it was rebooted by Channel Nine as Wonder World! hosted by Pascal Fox.
![[He was jailed for a month in Long Bay jail when he refused conscription orders and told the court he was a pacifist, followed by another 28 days in military prison]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/15/03/94107343-14285967-He_was_jailed_for_a_month_in_Long_Bay_jail_when_he_refused_consc-m-49_1736911525173.jpg)
However, Simon lived quite the interesting life away from the cameras, making headlines after being imprisoned for protesting the Vietnam war. News of beloved journalist and TV presenter Simon Townsend's death has sent shockwaves through the Australian entertainment industry.
![['Free Townsend' protests promptly took over the streets as his incarceration made front-page news]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/15/03/94107087-14285967-image-m-52_1736911608450.jpg)
Simon was very active in the anti-Vietnam war movement and often showed up to protests wearing a three-piece suit. He was jailed for a month in Long Bay jail when he refused conscription orders and told the court he was a pacifist. This time in jail was followed by another 28 days in military prison, where he spent much of the time in solitary confinement with only bread and water.
![['The front page [of the Australian said that Menzies was going to commit troops to Vietnam and they were conscripts. And suddenly, I decided almost in a flash that I would not go,' Simon told the ABC in 2005]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/15/03/94107079-14285967-image-a-53_1736911627142.jpg)
