Victor Haoust
Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at ReUnion 2010.
Victor Haoust , born 3rd March 1946, is the Managing Director of Crown Coaches Pty Ltd, Nunawading. He doesn't understand the word retired and still makes an appearance at work 14 hours a day, six days a week. At age 21, he, with is mother, became the co-owner of three decrepit buses. His parents had put down the deposit on two SB3 Bedford and an old White fitted with a Bedford motor. However, soon after, while working with Vic on a clutch problem, his father suddenly died. It was 31st July 1968. From then Vic was driving during the day on route 608 and working on the mechanical side at night.
In 1970, Vic married Julie who was soon driving buses and helping in the business. They were evicted from one service station to another until being finally garaged at the Hawthorn Tip for two years with no water, electricity, buildings or concrete. In 1976 they purchased a depot in Hawthorn and became more active in charter and school work. In December 1978, due to the politics of the time, it became prudent to sell out the route services. It was a sad day and they dropped from 55 vehicles to 20.
The next 20 years would see a considerable number of Haoust takeovers and vast improvements in communications, safety standards, vehicle monitoring, environmental standards and an increasing commitment to disabled school bus operations and a Mercedes charter fleet. Vic has been a member of the Bus Association Victoria since 1970 and held positions on most committees and was president for two years from 1996. He is very much respected and is still called upon for advice. Crown Coaches recently was awarded the Environmental Excellence and Innovation Award for being the first to introduce, to its fleet of 113, five hybrid coaches and a 100% electric coach.
Vic Haoust, Julie and their children, Renee and Jerome, believe the future lays with the latest technologies which will enable them to work a much cleaner and smarter business in the industry they all love. Vic is very deserving of this honour.
