‘Australia's nicest bloke' Tommy Connolly dies suddenly aged 33

News.com.au

19-07-2025

A young father once dubbed Australia's nicest bloke has died suddenly, leaving his family and the online community he started heartbroken.
Tommy Connolly captured the nation's hearts as a 23-year-old for his act of kindness by taking in his homeless, pregnant teen cousin in 2015.
Mr Connolly was also known as a talented runner and founder of Athletes Australia, a Facebook group that has grown to 35,000 members.
On Saturday a friend broke the news of the 33-year-old's death, who is survived by his wife Alana and their young daughter.
'I am devastated to let everyone know that yesterday the founder of this amazing group Tommy Connolly passed away suddenly,' Tim Ohthy wrote.
'Tommy was not only passionate about athletics, but just a damn good human being.
'Whilst always being up for a laugh and quick to take the p*ss out of anything and everything, he was equally quick when it came to supporting a mate, looking after family or just helping a complete stranger out.'
Mr Connolly's cause of death has not been revealed.
The post prompted an outpouring of condolences, with group members remembering Mr Connolly's passion for athletics and the way he 'could light up anyone's day with his smile and energy'.
They also praised him for creating the Athletes Australia group, and for his advocacy for the sport throughout his life.
Another friend, Jason Wright, wrote on a GoFundMe page started to support Mr Connolly's family that his death came as a 'complete shock'.
'I am privileged to have been Tommy's mate for 10 years,' he wrote.
'He was the guy that helps you move, jumps on a ladder and helps you paint a gutter, picks you up from the pub drunk or goes for a long beach walk and listens to your problems.
'Many of my network and friends have been privileged to experience his friendship and/or had the opportunity to work with him and I am now asking you to help his family with a gesture of goodwill.'
A decade ago, news.com.au interviewed Mr Connolly after a social media post detailing how he had taken in his teenage cousin went viral.
Mr Connolly said he had not seen the 17-year-old for 10 years but offered her a place to stay as she faced losing her baby to authorities after a 'lifetime of instability'.
'I was really excited to hear from her because I've always had a soft spot for her,' he told news.com.au at the time.
'She was my favourite little cousin, she was the sweetest girl and we got along so well.
'She didn't ask me if she could stay with me but I had that day off work so I drove down to the Gold Coast straight away and picked her up. I took her to lunch and she told me her story.
'It was so full on that it made me really upset. I was frustrated that I didn't know earlier.
'It made me want to do whatever it took to help her. It made any problems I ever had seem irrelevant, because the life she has had is so intense. My focus just immediately turned to her.'