Meet the key people at Emerald Coaches. We have a wealth of talent and experience in the public transportation industry.
Michael Baulch
Director
Michael is a fourth generation member of a public transportation family. With over thirty years experience throughout various jurisdictions managing school, route, intercity and industrial services.
Prior to purchasing Emerald Coaches in 2014, Michael owned and operated several passenger transport businesses in Victoria and Western Australia. He is a Founding Shareholder and Director of Moonies Hill Energy and H2 Energy, renewable energy development companies based in Western Australia.
He presently represents the bus industry as the Chairman of the Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC), a Councillor of the Bus Industry Confederation and Board Member of the Australian Public Transport Industry Association.
Michael holds a private pilot’s license and is a keen sports person, having represented WA, Tasmania, Queensland and Australia in Aussie Rules Football.
Rachael Baulch
Director
Rachael has been a part of the Bus industry family for over 30 years. Being Passionate about teaching, learning and finding ways to solve problems, Rachael loves the idea of changing lives for the better.
With a passion for creating meaningful and supportive relationships across the whole business, Rachael strives to enable clear and honest communication amongst all our people.
By playing a pivotal role in creating a culture of excellence throughout the business, Rachael works to ensure that the fundamentals are right, and to create a workplace that is happy, fulfilling and real.
Rachael is also super passionate about food, health and the environment.
Susie Pretorius
People & Culture Manager
With a hunger for new challenges and an adventurous spirit, Susie Pretorius and her family left sunny South Africa for sunny Australia and joined Emerald Coaches in 2019. As a seasoned professional with more than 20 years’ experience, Susie role includes leading the People & Culture and Compliance teams, which play a key role in the operation and implementation of various key internal processes and systems.
She started her career in the corporate environment with experience in journalism, marketing, communication, and human resources and later ventured into the power utility and construction sectors and gained invaluable experience in Quality and Safety.
Susie has an open, direct persuasive style with the will, passion, and drive to succeed. She enjoys working with the talented Emerald Coaches team and, in her free time, you will find her spending time with friends and family and exploring Queensland.
Madeleine Gelderblom
depot manager, mackay
Madeleine joined the Emerald team in January 2024 as Depot Manager.
With over 25 years of experience as an Executive Administrator and an MBA in Office Professional, Madeleine began her career in the corporate sector, gaining significant experience in the medical, auditing, and logistics industries.
As Depot Manager, Madeleine ensures that depot services operate efficiently, safely, and within budget. Her expertise lies in coordinating and leading administrative and operational functions, making her a vital asset to the team.
Originally from South Africa, Madeleine immigrated to beautiful Australia with her family in April 2023. She is loving the new adventure and is excited to explore and learn in her new environment.
Sharon Harris
Operations Manager – Emerald
A member of the Emerald Coaches team since 2001, Sharon is both an experienced coach driver, manager and administrator.
She oversees the organisational day to day running of the depot, including scheduling, driver inductions and training, maintenance planning and charter booking and quoting.
Sharon’s friendly approach to clients and staff, coupled with her intimate knowledge of the business and excellent problem solving skills has provided the company with stability and leadership over many years.
Casey Wales
depot supervisor, mackay
Casey has been an integral member of the Emerald Coaches family since 2021. She started her journey with the company as a bus driver catering for local mine runs and being responsible for Senior driver duties. Over time Casey was also appointed to the Employee Representative Group within the business.
Casey then joined the Mackay Operations Team as Operations Supervisor where she coordinates both mining and school services running out of the Emerald Coaches satellite depots within the Bowen Basin. Casey strives for perfection and enjoys being a busy mum to two kids.
Carly Stafford
depot OPERATIONS SUPPORT, mackay
Carly joined the Emerald Coaches team in October 2025 and provides valuable support across administrative and operational functions. With a diverse professional background, she brings experience from customer service, office administration, retail, professional cleaning, small business ownership, and the sugar milling industry.
Her previous roles include Transport Scheduler, Train Driver Assistant, and Train Driver at a local sugar mill, giving her a well-rounded understanding of operational environments and the importance of reliability, safety, and clear communication.
Carly is known for her organised approach, strong work ethic, and dependable nature. A clear communicator and committed team member, she contributes positively to the smooth day-to-day operation of the Emerald Coaches team.
Natasha McLeod
depot receptionist, mackay
Natasha joined the Emerald Coaches team in June 2025 and plays a key role in reception and administration, supporting smooth day-to-day operations and contributing to a positive workplace environment. Her strong people skills, teamwork, and optimistic approach help foster collaboration and engagement across the organisation.
With a background in high-paced environments, including experience in an accounting firm, Natasha is highly skilled at managing tasks efficiently while providing support to colleagues and clients. She is known for her consistent motivation, clear communication, and keeping the workplace both productive and enjoyable.
Outside of work, Natasha enjoys camping and has a long-standing passion for art, often creating new pieces that inspire creativity and fresh ideas in all areas of her life.
Frederick Le Roux
WORKSHOP MANAGER
Fred is based in Emerald and leads workshop operations across all Emerald Coaches depots, ensuring the fleet is maintained to the highest standards of safety, reliability and performance. With oversight of workshop teams across the business, he plays a critical role in supporting safe, efficient and dependable transport services for the communities Emerald Coaches serves.
Fred is passionate about training and mentoring his team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, skills development and collaboration within the workshops. He is well regarded for his practical approach, strong problem-solving abilities and commitment to maintaining a safe and efficient working environment.
Brian Miller
WORKSHOP MANAGER – mackay
Originally from Scotland, Brian Miller joined the Emerald Coaches team in March 2024. With a wealth of experience in the bus industry dating back to 2009, Brian brings a strong background in electrical diagnostics, repairs, and servicing. He is also skilled in managing roadside breakdowns, ensuring quick and efficient solutions for vehicle issues.
Zoe Barber
Human Resources Manager
Zoe joined the Emerald Coaches team in 2025 and brings extensive experience across both local government and the retail sector. With a strong background in Human Resources within regional Queensland councils, she has developed expertise in employee relations, workforce management and supporting diverse teams across complex and geographically dispersed environments.
Prior to transitioning into Human Resources, Zoe built a long and successful career in retail management, leading operations in some of Australia’s most remote communities – from Arnhem Land to the Nullarbor. This unique career journey has equipped her with resilience, adaptability and a practical, people-focused leadership style.
Approachable and down-to-earth, Zoe values open communication and believes a positive workplace balances professionalism with a sense of humour. She is passionate about supporting people to succeed and enjoys contributing to the continued growth of Emerald Coaches.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Zoe moved to Australia with her husband and has proudly called it home ever since. Outside of work, they share their home with much-loved rescue dogs who keep life interesting and very much on their terms.
Chanè Venter
Purchasing & inventory controller
Chanè joined Emerald Coaches in late 2024, bringing over 14 years of experience in procurement and inventory management across healthcare and transport operations.
Originally from South Africa, she immigrated to Australia with her family in September 2024 and quickly transitioned into the Australian transport industry. Detail-oriented and process-driven, she is known for her strong accuracy in her work, organised approach, and commitment to supporting efficient, reliable operations. Chanè builds strong relationships with colleagues, suppliers, and stakeholders both within and outside the organisation, and is always willing to step in and support wherever needed.
In her free time, Chanè is a proud mother of three who enjoys travelling with her family, being outdoors, spending time at the beach, and has a true passion for food and cooking.
Rebecca Patton
COntract manager
Rebecca has been a dedicated member of the Emerald Coaches team since 2022, bringing with her extensive experience in the trucking industry.
In her role as Contract Manager, Rebecca is responsible for administering and managing contracts with precision and efficiency.
Rebecca’s knowledge of operations and quoting gives her the ability to streamline contract processes which makes her an invaluable asset to the Emerald Coaches team.
Outside of her professional life, Rebecca has a passion for traveling and camping, which reflects her adventurous spirit and love for exploration.
Kellie Williams
Project Leader
Kellie joined Emerald Coaches in 2020, bringing with her extensive experience from the Department of Transport and Main Roads. With a strong background in vehicle compliance and NHVR regulations, she plays a critical role in ensuring our fleet operates safely, efficiently and in full compliance with regulatory requirements.
Her in-depth knowledge of heavy vehicle legislation, accreditation standards and operational compliance provides valuable support to our workshop teams across multiple depots. Kellie works closely with management and maintenance staff to uphold best practice standards and continuously improve internal processes.
Multi-faceted and solutions-focused, Kellie’s broad skill set and practical approach make her an integral part of the Emerald Coaches team, helping drive operational excellence across the business.
Mark Smeaton
Project Director – eMISSION ZERO
Mark Smeaton brings a wealth of experience in project development, business strategy, and commercial management. With a robust background in emerging technologies and innovative business models, Mark has consistently demonstrated his capability to drive growth and success.
He played a pivotal role in founding and developing what became Australia’s largest regional telecommunications provider and has held senior management positions in leading broadband and satellite communications companies. Early in his career, Mark was a senior analyst at Macquarie Bank, following his tenure in technical publishing.
At ActewAGL New Energy in Canberra, Mark served as Project Director for the establishment of Australia’s first publicly available hydrogen refuelling station, orchestrating crucial stakeholder agreements to bring the project to fruition. His expertise also extends to other renewable energy initiatives, particularly in the realm of bio-methane.
Mark enjoys travelling and exploring new places and has visited more than 30 countries for work and leisure.
