MICHAEL BAULCH

Michael Baulch

Committee: School Services Committee (Chair) & Management Committee 

Company: Emerald Coaches

About Michael

Michael Baulch is a fourth-generation member of a public transportation family. Michael grew up in Robe, South Australia, before Matriculating from Pembroke School in Adelaide. Michael spent time working in Northern South Australia and Western Australia before returning to work at the family bus business in 1991.

Michael filled senior management positions with the Warrnambool Bus and Motor Company, playing a major role in the consolidation and expansion of the company in Victoria and Queensland. This included being General Manager of Portland Buslines, Latrobe Valley Buslines and Buslink Queensland operations. He has also been involved in the management of such diverse businesses as hospitality, vineyard management, renewable energy and property development.

In 2004, Michael established Australia Transit Group Pty Ltd (ATG) in Western Australia and consolidated the company as a major regional operator, operating 200 vehicles from six depots. This included the provision of services to the Public Transport Authority, Woodside, Rio Tinto, Straights Resources and the establishment of ATG as a major transport provider in the Pilbara area of WA. Michael was Managing Director until 2007.

In 2007, Michael established Transport Systems Australia Pty Ltd in WA and Emerald Coaches Pty Ltd in Qld, and is currently Managing Director. Michael has formally been Chairman of the Bus and Coach Association of WA, Board Member of Transport Forum WA (School Bus Division), Chairman of the WA Bus Industry Conference, Councillor of the Bus Industry Confederation and Board Member of the Australian Public Transport Industry Association and Councillor of the Shire of Kojonup.

Michael is also a Director and major shareholder of Moonies Hill Energy Pty Ltd, a renewable energy developer, currently developing a 150MW wind farm in South West WA and H2 Energy Pty Ltd, a renewable hydrogen producer.

Michael lives on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland with his wife Rachael and their two children, Thomas (19) and Annabelle (17). Michael holds his private pilot’s license and is a keen sportsperson, having represented Western Australia, Tasmania, Queensland and Australia in Australian Rules Football.