Devastating news hit our community when the Mayor of Blacktown City, Tony Bleasdale, passed away on a plane returning from a sister city council delegation. Tony grew up in Liverpool, England and came to Australia in the Big Brother Movement of the 1960s. He was 15 years old, and he was put to work in the building industry. Tony spoke fondly about his first encounter with Nina, who was working in a pie shop. Obviously, they hit it off well as he got the first pie free. But when he went back for seconds there were no more freebies. Nina and Tony were married for 56 years. They raised four children—Frank, Nick, Christina and Catherine—and had many grandchildren. Tony was a strong, loving family man who often had either his children or grandchildren accompanying him at council events, but there was one constant. Nina was always by his side; the two were inseparable.

Tony was a union organiser who rose through the ranks to become the New South Wales assistant secretary of the Building Workers' Industrial Union in the 1980s, improving worker safety, wages and conditions. Tony looked after both the Mount Druitt hospital and the Parklea prison building sites. I recall how he gained a significant win for workers by securing a flea allowance at a worksite after insects infested the Mount Druitt hospital construction site. After leaving the union, he worked for several years with Bill McNamara as an industrial relations manager. They formed a formidable team and a lifelong partnership. Tony went on to start his own civil and building construction industry labour hire agency and become a major provider of jobs across the nation. Now it is a family‑owned and operated business.

Tony was associated with West Tradies club since its beginnings in 1983. He became a director in 2007 and a long-serving treasurer. He helped turn the club from one with financial difficulties into a strongly performing club supporting the local community. Tony's massive service to the community culminated in him earning the Order of Australia Medal. Tony sponsored numerous community and charitable organisations. He loved his football and sponsored the Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers FC. Tony also played a significant role in bringing back the Rabbitohs by supporting George Piggins and co. Tony supported many individuals suffering hardships and tragedies, or he gave them a boost in their sporting endeavours. Tony served as a councillor on Blacktown City Council from 1996 to 1999 and then continuously from 2004. He first served as deputy mayor in 2011-12 and then from 2016 to 2019, and had served as mayor since 2019.

Tony provided significant support to me in times of crisis. We had to deal with the 2015Struggle Street documentary that aired on SBS. When everyone was telling me to just write an angry letter expressing our collective displeasure at the so-called documentary, Tony said, "Screw 'em. Let's protest." So began the infamous garbage truck blockade of SBS. In 2016 a certain political opportunist proposed changing the name of Blacktown. Tony again provided strong advocacy and wisdom as we successfully campaigned to keep the Blacktown name. Tony was a friend of comedy legend Jerry Lewis. Jerry suffered an anxiety attack prior to one performance, and Tony provided calming support for Jerry before he went on stage. But that was the way he was—always helpful. I recall fondly how he always took a special interest in offering help to my mum as she went through her cancer treatment.

Tony's life could easily produce several volumes of colourful stories. I have not even touched on his friendships and encounters with Pelé, Nelson Mandela, numerous Premiers and Prime Ministers, and other colourful identities. Tony can be summed up as a person who loved his football and helped people. He was a passionate supporter of Blacktown. But, most importantly, he loved his family immensely. You will be sadly missed, my friend. Thank you, Nina and your extended family, for sharing him with our community over many decades. Blacktown will shine less brightly without him. My condolences to Nina and the whole family. Vale, Mayor Tony Bleasdale, OAM.