Who was William Blue?

Born in Jamaica, William Blue’s interest in tourism was apparent early in his life when he made his way from the West Indies to New York City in the United States of America, and subsequently on to the United Kingdom.

While in the U.K. he moved into the beverage production business when, in the late 1700’s, he was charged with having sugar in his possession that was to be used to make rum. Unfortunately this sugar was believed not to be his.

As a consequence of this venture, William Blue was branded a sugar thief, and was sent to Australia aboard the convict ship Minorca. Courtesy of The Crown, William Blue was given a 2555-night, 2556-day tour of Australia.

Having befriended Governor Lachlan Macquarie, William was granted the opportunity to develop Sydney’s first harbour taxi and tour company on release from his sentence.

Ferrying settlers across Sydney Harbour from the current location of the Park Hyatt Hotel at Millers Point to what soon become known as Blues Point, on the North Shore, William’s business was so successful that one boat soon became a fleet, and William became named “The Commodore”. Retaining his interest in the hospitality industry, William built and ran his own pub called The Commodore Hotel, which to this day can still be found at it's original location on Blues Point Road. 

William Blue was granted 60 acres at Blue’s Point, where William built a cottage for himself and his family. Many of the streets of North Sydney are named after William Blue’s offspring and relatives. He became famous for his generosity and hospitality.

William Blue was a visionary tourism and hospitality entrepreneur. He was also one of early Sydney’s great personalities and central to the development of the community of North Sydney. 

It is fitting that his name lives on, not only through the landmarks named after him in North Sydney, but also through the William Blue College of Hospitality and Tourism, which aims to produce the Hospitality and Tourism Managers and Entrepreneurs of the future.

Click here to learn more about the courses at the William Blue College of Hospitality and Tourism.