Australian politician suddenly dies aged 40 – as her selfless final act in office is revealed

A local government politician has died suddenly at 40-years-old as it’s revealed she attended a host of community events in the last week despite ‘feeling unwell’.

The City of Newcastle confirmed it would fly its flags at half-mast on Tuesday following the death of councillor Sinéad Francis-Coan on Monday morning. 

She was elected to the council in October last year and worked as an organiser for the National Tertiary Education Union at the University of Newcastle. 

Colleagues have praised the late councillor for spending her final days attending community events and meeting with constituents. 

‘Despite feeling unwell, she continued to perform her duties as a councillor last week including attending events for Refugee Week, and the nighttime economy, City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said.

Mr Bath said Ms Francis-Coan’s final acts demonstrated her ‘unwavering commitment to the causes she cared about’. 

Lord Mayor of Newcastle Dr Ross Kerridge said she had a ‘charming personality and a great sense of humour’ adding her death was a ‘great loss’ to the council.

‘She took to being a ward councillor like a duck to water and she was hard-working for the community and was obviously really enjoying being a councillor and addressing issues for the community,’ Dr Kerridge said. 

Her mother Lindall Coan also shared a heartfelt message on social media following the unexpected tragedy. 

‘With great sadness we’re sharing the news that my daughter, Sinead Evelyn Francis-Coan passed away unexpectedly in her home yesterday,’ she wrote on Facebook. 

‘We know that Sinéad was loved by many and was active in so many communities and groups.’

Ms Francis-Coan’s family moved to Newcastle when she was only six months old, where she later attended Heaton Public School and the Hunter School of Performing Arts in Broadmeadow.

Before her career in local politics, the councillor worked in leisure and tourism studies and as a qualified mediator.

Her colleagues described her as being of proud Irish stock, adding she used her first appearance on the council to acknowledge her heritage and late father, Ollie. 

She is survived by her mother Lyndall and sisters Roisin and Ciara.  

Her family has requested privacy as they grieve and await the outcome of the Coroner’s report.

More to follow.