The Mayor of Blacktown City, Tony Bleasdale OAM has congratulated 3 Blacktown City Councillors who received awards in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours List for their dedicated service to Council and the community.
Cr Griffiths was recognised for her significant service to local government, women’s soccer and industrial relations. She was one of only 246 Order of Australia recipients across Australia.
Cr Benjamin was acknowledged for his service to the law and to the community, particularly through his pro bono work with the Toongabbie Legal Centre, where he serves as Honorary Director.
Cr Fitzgerald was appointed an OAM for his service to the community of Blacktown City through his work with dozens of community organisations and sporting groups. Cr Fitzgerald is a Chief Inspector with NSW Police at Blacktown and has served with the force for almost 40 years.
Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM applauded the Councillors on their awards, stating Council had “won a trifecta of honours”.
“I am delighted that Councillors Griffiths, Benjamin and Fitzgerald have received recognition for their hard work serving the great City of Blacktown,” Mayor Bleasdale said.
“I am incredibly fortunate to lead these passionate councillors, who are unwavering in their enthusiasm for Council and the communities they represent.
“It is a great privilege to have these individuals serve on Blacktown City Council as they collaborate to help build a better community for everyone.
“These awards are well-deserved recognition for many years’ dedicated service, and my heartiest congratulations goes to each of them.”
Cr Julie Griffiths AM
Cr Griffiths was first elected to Council in 2008 and has twice served as Deputy Mayor. For the past 30 years, she has been an active member of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) NSW Branch and served as President from 2010 to 2012 and City President.
She is passionate about increasing the number of women in local government, using her position on the NSW Joint Ministerial Advisory Council to advocate for greater female representation.
Cr Griffiths is an avid supporter of women’s soccer through roles as a player, coach and volunteer. She was the Chef De Mission and coach of the Australian Futsal U/21 Women’s Indoor Soccer Team tour to Spain in 2004 and was an elite-level coach for the Nepean and Blacktown Spartans U/21 Women.
She chairs and serves on a range of committees, including the Blacktown City Women’s Advisory Committee, where she leads key projects and initiatives for women and girls, including the annual Blacktown City Knit Bomb for domestic violence.
Cr Susai Benjamin OAM
Cr Benjamin has served on Blacktown City Council since 2012. He is the Honorary Director of the free community legal service, Toongabbie Legal Centre Inc., where he has provided pro bono services as their Principal Solicitor for many years.
He was a former member of the Australian Multicultural Advisory Committee, constituted by the Australian Government, and served as a people’s ambassador.
He has also served as a board member, and later president, of the Multicultural Arts Alliance of NSW.
Cr Benjamin currently chairs the Blacktown City Seniors Advisory Committee. He is the former chair of Council’s Multicultural Advisory and Community Service committees.
In 2019, he received a Local Hero Award from Westfield.
Cr Bob Fitzgerald OAM
Cr Bob Fitzgerald is serving his first term on Blacktown City Council after being elected in 2021.
He is a Chief Inspector of NSW Police, attached to the Blacktown Command, and has served with the force for 38 years.
His vast community work spans from refugee advocacy with SydWest Multicultural Services to raising funds for charities through the Blacktown and Penrith Relay for Life, Convoy for Kids Sydney and the Law Enforcement Torch Run (NSW) for Special Olympics.
Cr Fitzgerald’s service extends to community sport, where he is a life member of Blacktown City rugby league, soccer and netball sporting associations.
He was awarded NSW Adult Volunteer of the Year in 2019 and Blacktown City Council’s Australia Day Citizen of the Year in 2016.
