obituary | michael apps

VALE: MAY 14, 1964 –

DEC 26, 2020 Bus and truck industry stalwart and BIC executive director Michael Apps sadly passed away on December 26, 2020, after a long battle with cancer.

News of his passing broke on various social media channels recently, with the Australian Trucking Association’s (ATA) vale capturing a sense of the man he was for both those who knew him personally and professionally, as well as for many who didn’t.

It reads: “Former ATA deputy CEO

Michael Apps and good friend of many

in the industry, sadly passed away on Boxing Day 2020 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

“Michael joined the Australian Trucking Association as government relations manager in 1994 as the organisation emerged and grew its resource strength from its early foundation years.

“He played a key role and made great contributions in expanding and deepening the reach of the Association as it developed into a dynamic national advocate and contributor to the effective implementation of national trucking policy.

“He developed a strong and effective presence around Parliament House in Canberra as the industry pursued fundamental and ultimately successful reform of industry taxes and charges and also changes to key day-to-day trucking industry regulations.

“Many industry colleagues met Michael during the ATA’s seminars that were run across Australia during the introduction of the GST and the important diesel fuel rebate scheme.”

CHEEKY BUT EFFECTIVE

It continued: “Michael brought a unique dynamism to his role managing to simultaneously engage in serious policy development implementation while leading an active and energetic life. He treated everyone equally and could mix and relate to all including drivers, unions, CEOs, and politicians through to the prime minister.

“He was not afraid to say it ‘as it was’ when necessary, whilst building important coalitions in the political sphere to support the pursuit of the industry’s reform agenda.

“Many of his former ATA colleagues have highlighted how he used his own inimitable and perhaps ‘cheeky’ but effective style to assist and get the best out of people wherever he went. Words they have used to describe Michael include intelligent, articulate, talented, loyal and trustworthy.

“He has been accurately described as ‘a loveable larrikin who got under people’s guard and delivered his message in a way that all levels he dealt with could easily understand and not be offended’.

“Michael left the ATA in 2002 to take up the CEO position at the Bus Industry Confederation where he continued since then to pursue a vibrant reform agenda for that sector. It was during this time that he met and married the love of his life, Madonna Woodhead.

“Michael was a highly successful, top-quality and lovely bloke who will be sadly missed by his many bus and trucking industry friends and his massive contributions and friendships won’t be forgotten.”

SADLY MISSED

ABC magazine was fortunate enough to have Michael write a monthly column for us given his key role with the BIC on behalf of its national and state bus membership base.

On behalf of all of us at ABC magazine, our sincerest condolences to Michael’s family and friends.

Left: In 2002, Apps left the ATA to take up the role of CEO of the Bus Industry Confederation.