Is nobody going to say the bloody obvious about Ellidy Pullin? We fell in love with her story – now a bitter truth stares us in the face: AMANDA GOFF

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Writing this column is no easy task.

I’m about to share an unpopular opinion, but I’ll do so with sensitivity. I believe a beloved story, one that’s touched many lives, is heading toward a needlessly sad ending and could benefit from a revised direction.

This is a moving story about dealing with loss, the power of love and family, and discovering hope in the face of tragedy. Because we’ve been following this story for a while, it resonates with many on a personal level.

This is the incredible story of Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin, a champion snowboarder who tragically died in an accident at just 32 years old. Remarkably, he became a father after his death. His girlfriend, Ellidy, was able to posthumously harvest his sperm and conceive their child through IVF.

The story quickly became national news, and Ellidy captured the hearts of many Australians as she raised her four-year-old daughter, Minnie, on her own. She also started a charity to honor her late partner and later found love again with Brock Wadsworth.

Knowing how delicate this situation is, I want to be careful not to point fingers or assign blame.

But in my view, one thing is abundantly clear: Chumpy’s story was never meant to end like this. 

This week, the Daily Mail featured an exclusive interview with Chris Pullin, the father of Chumpy, sharing the heartbreaking details of his life after losing both his son and wife, Sally, who died last year from a rare and fast-moving cancer.

He described a falling out with Ellidy, caused by differing opinions on how to run the foundation created in memory of their son. This disagreement ultimately led to a strained relationship with his grandchild.

He experienced immense loss in just a few years, losing his son, wife, and granddaughter. Consequently, he often spent Christmas alone at his home in Eden, on the New South Wales South Coast.

Before I delve into the tragic end of this story, let’s start at the beginning. 

The tragedy began on July 8, 2020, when 32-year-old Chumpy died in a spearfishing accident off the Gold Coast. His partner, Ellidy, with whom he’d been together for eight years, was heartbroken, especially as they were trying to start a family.

Ellidy reacted quickly after Chumpy passed away. She immediately asked doctors to collect his sperm, hoping to use IVF to have the child they had always wanted.

‘I just knew in my heart it’s what Chumpy would have wanted,’ she later said.

With the complete backing of his heartbroken parents, Chris and Sally – legally required since Ellidy and Chumpy weren’t married – that’s exactly what occurred.

It was so touching to see Minnie arrive. She’s Chumpy’s daughter, a little one he sadly never had the chance to know. But even through all the heartbreak, her birth felt like a real sign of hope, a beautiful light in a very dark time. It truly meant a lot to everyone.

How could we not feel overjoyed? I certainly did.

That’s why seeing this unravel into a public feud is so heartbreaking.

The news came as a complete shock – I really didn’t expect it, even though there were hints of trouble online and in rumors. The big question everyone’s asking is, ‘What happened to Chumpy’s dad?’

The origin of their rift is now widely known, after Chris opted to break his silence.

Ellidy started the Chumpy Pullin Foundation to help young people who might not otherwise be able to afford winter sports like skiing and snowboarding – something Chumpy deeply cared about, as these activities can be very expensive for families.

As a country passionate about sports, we were thrilled. This was a fantastic opportunity for young Australian athletes who might not otherwise have a chance to achieve their goals.

Over time, the foundation shifted its work from sports to focus on mental health. While Ellidy didn’t make any mistakes, this change bothered Chumpy’s father, Chris. He felt it moved away from the foundation’s original goal of helping children enjoy skiing and snowboarding.

It also inadvertently raised questions about Chumpy’s passing.

It really struck me how Chris shared that people had asked him, not just once or twice, but four times, if Chumpy had taken his own life. It’s so upsetting to think about, especially knowing how much Chris and his wife, Sally – who we lost last April – were already going through. It just shows how sensitive this topic is, and how important it is for the charity to handle mental health with care.

I understand his confusion, and I feel the same way. The foundation started with great, achievable aims – for example, providing housing in Jindabyne so young skiers and snowboarders could easily reach Thredbo. It’s hard to see why they’ve shifted their focus.

To be frank, and I anticipate some disagreement, there are already enough mental health charities – we don’t need another one.

I live with bipolar disorder, a long-term mental health condition that I actively manage. And having personally benefited from The Black Dog Foundation, I can say there are already many similar organizations available in Australia.

There’s a lot of mental health support available now, which is great because it’s finally getting the attention it deserves. It’s easier than ever to find help, whether you prefer seeing someone in person or using online resources. You can get support from your doctor, by calling a helpline, or through many different charities.

If Chumpy, an Olympic snowboarder who dedicated himself to fairness in sports, tragically died in an accident, how does his mental health factor into what happened? Can we understand the connection?

No wonder his parents were angry. I would be ropeable.

The foundation stopped operating in December 2024, but before it did, Chris emailed the board to express his concern that it wasn’t living up to the principles of its namesake, Chumpy.

I’ve been following this whole situation closely, and it’s heartbreaking. From what Chris has said – you can find all the details elsewhere – Ellidy apparently cut off all contact with both him and his wife, who sadly passed away recently. He says this happened after he simply asked about some changes to how the charity was operating. It seems she ‘blocked’ them both, which is just… shocking to hear.

He claims she shared a very heartfelt post on social media after Sally died, even though they hadn’t seen each other in months before that.

I don’t know the full story of what happened between Chumpy’s parents and Ellidy, either before or after Chumpy passed away. It’s understandable that grief might have affected how everyone acted, and people often behave differently when they’re dealing with loss.

I definitely don’t think Ellidy is to blame in this situation. I understand she’s hurting and grieving, just like Chris is. I imagine she’ll share her perspective when she feels ready to do so.

Ellidy, if you happen to see this, I’ve realized something important: it’s often kinder to yourself – and better for your heart – to choose forgiveness instead of dwelling on anger or pain.

At the heart of this situation is a young girl who may lose the close bond she shares with her grandfather, who deeply misses her.

It’s true that not all relationships can be saved. Sometimes, the healthiest thing to do is to prioritize your own well-being and distance yourself from people who consistently cause you unhappiness.

Are you certain that’s what’s happening? It’s common to stay in relationships simply because it feels like the right thing to do, even when things get difficult. There’s a balance between wanting an easy life and doing what you believe in.

Even if Chumpy’s father wasn’t perfect and sometimes said things he regretted, his legal consent was still essential. Without it, you might not have your child, considering he gave that consent shortly after experiencing the loss of his own son.

Ellidy, as someone who has endured fractured family relationships, please reconsider.

As a lifestyle expert, I often talk about legacy, and this is a powerful example of it. I understand you’re hurting, but please remember Minnie. She came into this world because my grandparents saw how much you and Chumpy loved each other, and they believed giving you a child would be the most beautiful thing. Don’t let your pain overshadow the joy he brought and the gift that Minnie is – she deserves to know how much love created her.

That baby is now a child who risks growing up not knowing her grandfather.

I came across your Instagram post from yesterday, where you were petting Minnie and calling her ‘the greatest gift,’ also saying you’d protect her no matter what. It made me curious – what do you think she needs protecting from? Perhaps a kind, but lonely, grandfather?

Look, at the end of the day, you’re free to make your own decisions and I respect that. I’m not trying to tell you what to do. But honestly, so many of us here in Australia are wondering, deep down… would Chumpy have been happy with this? It’s a question that keeps coming up, and it’s hard to ignore.

 

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2026-01-08 06:50