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 knowing what he was up to in his spare time during his final tragic weeks of life. 

When the sun dipped below the horizon, the father-of-two would dress down and hit the streets of Geelong - his hometown south of Melbourne. 

Huddled among the country town's cold and destitute, the 44-year old would hand out hot meals to those in need and lend an ear to lonely souls. 

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

While former Sunrise host Samantha Armytage arrived early for the memorial, current host Natalie Barr was spotted walking into 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 walking track near the Barwon River in Geelong last week.

He left behind his wife Kate and their two young sons Jack and James, who also attended Friday's memorial. 

The star's cause of death remains a mystery, with his family describing it as a 'medical episode'.

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

However, he had not been on-air for Sunrise since late 2022 and was working in a behind-the-scenes role last year.

Daily Mail Australia understands Templeton had been grappling with long-standing personal issues, including depression, and had been receiving support.

On Friday, it was revealed Templeton never stopped caring about others despite his own struggles in life. 

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

'Nath saw the Salvos as a gold standard of serving the community, so volunteering quietly for the Geelong Salvos outreach van was a modest way Nath felt he could help folks in the community doing it really tough, through no fault of their own.'

A source close to Templeton told Daily Mail Australia the star told practically no-one of his secret charity work in the weeks before his death.

'No-one knew until Nate died that he'd been doing this work with the Geelong Salvo's outreach van in recent months going out on the food van in the evenings from about 7pm to 1am and no-one had any idea,' he said. 

While Templeton had a long history of covering telethons and charitable drives, those in attendance at Friday's memorial were moved by his relentless dedication to helping those less fortunate than himself.

The Salvation Army outreach van supports some of the Geelong community's most vulnerable people, providing food or supermarket vouchers to those experiencing homelessness while providing company to those doing it tough.

Templeton had been known to work by torchlight to help feed locals living in public parks. 

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

Templeton was revered among the town's needy with his tales about football and other interesting topics. 

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

'Nath did this occasional volunteering entirely without fanfare. He never sought or expected anyone to know about it. He was a very humble guy, who just wanted to help other people, especially those doing it toughest in the community, and he didn't need or seek any 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 asked to consider making a donation to the Salvo's outreach van.

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

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

'Nathan had a huge heart for the disadvantaged, and wanted to give back and make a difference in the city he grew up in and he certainly did just that.

'He was always so kind and encouraging and this was evident in the way people warmed to him. He listened intently, 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 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-notch sports reporter at Seven, Nath thought a lot about "assists" - those selfless, supporting acts on the footy field, and many other arenas, that often go unnoticed but make a real difference,' he said. 

'So Nath's secret Salvo's assists, helping folks in Geelong doing it tough without fanfare, were totally in keeping with his humble and thoughtful nature.

'Clearly he never expected any recognition. But knowing Nath, he would have totally supported anything that might help drum up a few extra donations to help the Salvos continue their great work in the Geelong community.'

Former Cats great and current chief executive Steve Hocking said Templeton's secret acts of kindness was in line with his mate's character. 

'We weren’t surprised to hear that Nathan was creating connections within the Geelong region through the Salvo’s outreach van, as he made those same connections with our football club as ground announcer and MC for six years,' he said. 

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

The Templeton family hope to raise $10,000 for the South Barwon Salvos in honour of the star.  

ANYONE WHO WISHES TO HELP THE SALVATION ARMY OUTREACH VAN CAN DO SO BY FOLLOWING THE LINK HERE OR THE QR CODE BELOW