Michael Sullivan

Born in Melbourne in 1946, Michael Sullivan completed his motor mechanic apprenticeship in the Victorian Police where he later became a member of the Police Brass Band. Later, during his holidays, Michael drove a seven ton Ford Thames for Sims Scrap Metal and later, a Commer Knocker carting cardboard between Maryvale and Broadford.Born in Melbourne in 1946, Michael Sullivan completed his motor mechanic apprenticeship in the Victorian Police where he later became a member of the Police Brass Band. Later, during his holidays, Michael drove a seven ton Ford Thames for Sims Scrap Metal and later, a Commer Knocker carting cardboard between Maryvale and Broadford.After his apprenticeship Michael worked for the Victorian State Electricity Heavy Equipment Workshop, William Adams Caterpillar workshop and Cardinia Creek Dam construction, here he gained the grand title of “Wingnut”.After moving to Townsville in Queensland, ‘Wingnut’ was employed as a diesel fitter on the construction crew with the Greenvale Railway. In 1973 he became the first owner of the Shell Greenvale Service Station and started a bulk fuel depot with an International AR120 body truck, a Dodge D5N Body truck and dog, a Dodge D5N semi and finally a 1418 Mercedes Benz. On his insistence, and after a shaky start, the Shell Co. Townsville allowed him to purchase his fuel direct.Michael Sullivan then became the first ‘Direct Purchase Agent’ for Shell with huge diversity in his client base which included 76 cattle stations, two tin mines and countless drilling and other companies. He stayed in Greenvale for seven years during which time Shell Greenvale averaged 35,000 litres per day. After that Michael drove a White Road Boss tanker for Chemtrans in Townsville until 1984 when he moved back to Wangaratta. He drove for Deluxe Coachlines where he gained another title, “Pop Sullivan”.As ‘Pop’ he drove between Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth (52 return trips from Melbourne to Perth) before transferring to Townsville to drive for Deluxe between Tennant Creek, Brisbane and Cairns until 1991. He later ran the workshop for Thea Eastwood on Magnetic Island and, on weekends, drove for Greyhound PioneerReUnion 2015