Paul Blake’s legacy to workers and the environment brought people together

Paul Blake, an environmentalist and union leader, was “loved by everyone”. Read the tribute.

Environmentalist and union leader Paul Blake who died in Hobart on July 19. Picture: Supplied.

A Tasmanian environmentalist and union leader is being remembered for “bringing people together in pursuit of fairness and equity”.

Paul Blake, 57, a former secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union and a founding conceptual member of the Tasmanian Land Conservancy, was known and “loved for his dry wit, sharp mind and unflinching candour”, died last Saturday.

CPSU Tasmanian secretary Zac Batchelor said Mr Blake was a CPSU delegate at Centrelink before becoming an organiser in 1999 and secretary for 10 years from 2005 before stepping aside to allow Jessica Munday to take the reins.

Paul Blake, environmentalist and union leader who died on July 19. Picture: Supplied

He said as well as being a committed unionist and avid surfer he also was an environmental activist whose “legacy is woven into the lives of the people he supported, mentored, and stood beside”.

“In recent years, Paul lived with a health condition that often left him in pain – but true to form, he never let it slow him down,” Mr Batchelor said.

“Where others might have stepped back, Paul stepped up.

“He showed up, worked hard, led from the front, and never asked of others what he wasn’t prepared to do himself.

“There is no doubt in the minds of anyone that knew him, that Paul lived his values with quiet strength and unwavering conviction.”

Zac Batchelor Tasmanian regional CSPSU secretary. CPSU surveys have exposed a shocking workplace culture within the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Batchelor said one of Mr Blake’s proudest achievements was working on the national Your Rights at Work campaign where he “spent countless hours knocking on doors having hundreds of one-on-one conversations”.

“Paul’s philosophy of unionism was grounded in collaboration and honest communication, believing that lasting change came not from division, but from bringing people together in pursuit of fairness and equity.

“His legacy is woven into the lives of the people he supported, mentored, and stood beside.

“Paul’s years of tireless community advocacy and his deep investment in the growth of others mean that his impact will be felt well beyond his time.

“From new delegates finding their feet, to seasoned organisers who leaned on his quiet wisdom, Paul shaped a generation of unionists – and in doing so, helped shape a stronger, fairer movement.”

New Labor Senator Josh Dolega described Mr Blake as a “staunch unionist who was “respected and loved by everyone that he met”.

“He had a tremendous love for his union and served his members right until the end.”

Jessica Munday secretary Unions Tasmania. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Munday said Mr Blake recruited her into the union movement and she owed much of her career to his “exceptional mentorship and guidance”.

“Paul was a principled, dedicated unionist,” she said.

“He believed deeply in public services, our public broadcaster, and publicly funded science.

“Many Tasmanian workers have benefited from Paul’s work, whether they realise it or not.”

Tasmanian Land Conservancy co-ordinator Annabelle Sweetman said Mr Blake was one of the organisation’s first board members when it was launched in 2001.

“His passion for Tasmania’s wild places and interest in good governance kept him closely connected,” she said.

“We’re deeply grateful for his vision and enduring support of nature.”

CPSU national secretary Melissa Donnelly said: “Paul was a wonderful comrade, unionist and friend. He always put the interests of union members and delegates first.”

He is survived by his partner Jill and children Charlotte, Nell and Ned.

Originally published as Paul Blake’s legacy to workers and the environment brought people together