OBITUARY
MICHAEL APPS
An Extraordinary Life Bus industry icon Michael Apps sadly passed away on 26 December, 2020.
M
ichael’s Farewell Celebration was held at the Kamberra Function Centre in Canberra on January 18, 2021, attended by 150 friends, colleagues and family. An even greater number of 2,000+ joined the celebration online. Michael’s wife, Madonna, and his family sincerely extend their appreciation and warm wishes to all who participated. Michael also received a number of public tributes and these will be made available for a short time on the OzeBus website: ozebus.com.au/tributes.pdf.
ABOUT THE MAN Here, BIC chairman Wayne Patch shares a few key memories about keen rugby player and fan Michael and his commitment and passion for the Australian bus industry. “In February 2002, the Bus Industry Confederation was established, and Michael, as many in Industry will know, served as its executive director for nearly two decades. “At the core of Michael’s national agenda for industry was the development of creative solutions to assist our nation’s policy makers in tackling the many challenges that confront us in respect of moving people around cities, regions and towns. He understood that the challenges we face cannot be overcome by any single transport mode solution and it was this acknowledgement that made him much more than just a bus industry advocate. “Michael led the national agenda for public transport, promoting the benefits of moving-people services as a national priority for all levels of government. His often irreverent approach masked the serious nature of the policies being espoused and enabled the BIC to get politicians and senior bureaucrats to consider BIC’s position. “Michael has formed countless trusted relationships with political 20
ABC February 2021 busnews.com.au
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