‘Mr Western Sydney’: Blacktown mayor Tony Bleasdale passes away

The sudden death of the mayor of Blacktown during a flight from China has left the city council in shock as they remember “Mr Western Sydney”.

The mayor of the Sydney council of Blacktown Tony Bleasdale has died while on a delegation flight returning from China.

Mr Bleasdale, 77, spent almost 30 years as a Blacktown councillor, taking on mayoral duties in 2019.

No cause of death has been established, but Mr Bleasdale had struggled after a past Covid diagnosis, acting mayor Chris Quilkey said.

Mr Bleasdale had recovered well in the past 12 months.

“It was a great shock to everyone in the council that I’ve come into contact with today, it’s left us all reeling,” Mr Quilkey said.

“He was on a delegation to Korea and China and bringing business to Blacktown targeting employment (and) for those companies there to set up shop.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale received an Order of Australia in 2010 for his commitment to local government and charities. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

“He was doing a great job for Blacktown, and my understanding was that everybody was happy with the way the tour had gone.”

Mr Bleasdale’s wife Nina was on-board the plane with him when he died.

The Blacktown City Council is consulting with Mr Bleasdale’s family, but intends to hold a public tribute to commemorate his life and contributions to the community and local government of Blacktown.

Mr Quilkey said it was a tribute to Mr Bleasdale’s commitment to the city that he died while serving his mayoral duties.

“Everybody will remember him as a strong advocate for Blacktown and the champion of Western Sydney,” Mr Quilkey said. “Everywhere he spoke, he went there as Mr Western Sydney.”

Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale was remembered by acting mayor Chris Quilkey as “Mr Western Sydney”. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

“I’ve known him for probably 20 years and he’s never changed. He had a working class background, been a union delegate, and still ran a business. He was just a really energetic, very intelligent, very smart man.

“He had the most drive and energy of anybody I’ve ever known.”

Mr Bleasdale received an Order of Australia medal in 2010 for his contributions to local government and charity, having supported Westmead Hospital, Blacktown Relay for Life, Cancer Council NSW and the Gynaecological Cancer Research Fund.

He served on the city council since 1996 and was deputy mayor from 2016 to 2019. He also served as construction labour firm National Contractors’s managing director.

Mr Bleasdale emigrated from the UK in 1963. He began as a bricklayer and spent 40 years in the construction industry.

“Tony proved a visionary leader in transforming the city to better serve a growing population,” a statement from Blacktown City Council reads.

“Tony was loved by his community and he loved it back, with a generous heart and a genuine commitment to a bright future.

“He was proud of the incredible diversity of Blacktown City and passionate about delivering services and opportunities for its residents and businesses.”

The Blacktown City Council remembered Mr Bleasdale for his passionate advocacy for First Nations Australians and his negotiation of Walker Corporation Blacktown Quarter project.

Originally published as ‘Mr Western Sydney’: Blacktown mayor Tony Bleasdale passes away