Michael Mills
Michael Mills was born in January 1945 and was part of the third generation of the Mills family to work in the transport industry. Although he had plans to study agriculture, he famously walked out of an entrance exam for Hawkesbury Agricultural College, asking himself, “What am I doing here?” He knew where he truly belonged - in the family business.
Michael joined A.J. Mills & Sons in 1962, starting behind the wheel of a Bedford truck. He quickly moved into operations and, at just 20 years age, relocated to Brisbane to establish the company’s depot. From there, Michael expanded freight volumes into Northern NSW and west to Moree, building strong relationships with clients and creating the foundation for sustainable growth.
Michael was known for his operational precision, ensuring trucks were scheduled to minimise downtime and maximise load efficiency. He introduced smarter routing systems before GPS became common, relying on deep local knowledge and long-standing relationships with drivers.
Working closely with his brother Noel, who managed the Lismore depot, Michael helped ensure the fleet was always fully loaded, whether heading south to Inverell and Moree or returning north. Under Michael’s leadership, Mills Transport became a key logistics partner for major clients including Coles, Gold Coast Bulletin, and numerous hardware and liquor distributors.
One of the more unique contracts Michael was proud of winning involved Stahman Farms, an American agricultural venture being established in Moree, NSW. Mills Transport handled the delivery of large agricultural machinery shipped from overseas, and when the pecan crops began producing, Mills Transport carried their product to processing facilities in Brisbane and Toowoomba, another example of Michael’s ability to tailor logistics solutions for niche industries.
Michael’s operational instinct, customer-first mindset, and ability to build long-term freight solutions were instrumental in growing the company’s presence across Queensland and New South Wales. He earned the trust of major brands who relied on Mills Transport to deliver under pressure, from tight print deadlines for newspapers to sensitive grocery deliveries needed in regional towns. His word was his bond, and his reputation in the industry reflected that.
During his career, Michael was known for fostering a strong team culture, with traditions like the annual Pottsville cricket match, held between admin and drivers (which usually ended with Michael being thrown in the creek). He believed in treating every team member with respect and fairness. Many drivers and staff stayed with Mills Transport for decades, a testament to the culture of loyalty and mutual respect Michael helped foster.
Throughout his long career, Michael led the company through major shifts in the transport industry. From union reforms to rising fuel costs and road regulation changes, his ability to adapt while staying true to the company’s values ensured the family business remained strong.
Over more than five decades, Michael helped guide the business as a proud member of the third generation of Mills family leadership. Under his stewardship, the company continued to thrive, and he took great pride in seeing the fourth generation - Peter, Stephen, and Andrew - join the business and carry on the family legacy. He helped take Mills Transport from a respected local operation to a major regional player, and did so with humility, discipline, and heart.
