Marcus Oldham Foundation Prospectus

Great Minds

Invest, Support, Advance

Australian agriculture and the equine sector are global industries facing enormous demand for productivity and excellence. Marcus Oldham is arguably one of Australia’s most important resources for ensuring these industries are supported with the very best people to meet these challenges.

As a graduate, farmer, businessman, employer, investor, horse enthusiast and philanthropist, I think I can quite confidently say this from experience.

In the last 60 years, Marcus Oldham has made an enormous contribution to Australian agriculture and the equine industry, by educating some of its most valued and influential people. But it is just the beginning. There remains a lifetime of learning ahead if we wish for industry to continue to advance and prosper. Sustainability, animal welfare and mental health are all real issues that we must now consider.

As future custodians, graduates today need to be more than a good farmer or manager, they must be innovators, entrepreneurs, conservationists, and business-people all rolled into one. As a world leader in agricultural education, Marcus Oldham epitomises this ideal and constantly strives to provide students with the most relevant and dynamic learning opportunities possible.

The College has never been in a more exciting position. Our educational programs have earned academic credence, and industry has access to our graduates in faster periods of time. Student enquiry and enrolments are at an all-time high and, with the completion of The Douglas Boyd Centre, the College now has the ability to meet enrolment demand as well as offer new experiences never available to a Marcus Oldham student before.

Yes, things are moving in the right direction, but it is imperative that the College maintains this momentum.

Student fees provide all of the educational and residential needs of a student during their time at the College, however, fees do not fund the construction of new builds and renovations. They do not pay for new technology and infrastructure, and they certainly do not fund the many scholarships and bursaries that students and families have come to rely on.

As someone who is passionate about Australian agriculture and the equine sector, I am urging you to think about the future of these industries and all that Marcus Oldham stands for. The institution may be small but the networks and future possibilities for industry are endless.

Please join me in supporting this College, it will be one of the most meaningful and enjoyable things you can do.

Antony Baillieu (1971 Graduate) Foundation Chairman

Please scan this code with your phone to view footage of Marcus Oldham from 1962.

It started with a vision

“For Marcus Oldham to keep in front, it must be an innovator and pacesetter.

We encourage our students to constantly question traditional values and established practices. We educate our learners to be confident if, and when, change should be made. We encourage enquiring minds.”

Founding Principal, Ivo Dean (1962-1978)

Invest, Support, Advance

Australian agriculture and the equine sector are global industries facing enormous demand for productivity and excellence. Marcus Oldham is arguably one of Australia’s most important resources for ensuring these industries are supported with the very best people to meet these challenges.

As a graduate, farmer, businessman, employer, investor, horse enthusiast and philanthropist, I think I can quite confidently say this from experience.

In the last 60 years, Marcus Oldham has made an enormous contribution to Australian agriculture and the equine industry, by educating some of its most valued and influential people. But it is just the beginning. There remains a lifetime of learning ahead if we wish for industry to continue to advance and prosper. Sustainability, animal welfare and mental health are all real issues that we must now consider.

“ForMarcusOldhamtokeepinfront,itmustbeaninnovatorandpacesetter.

As future custodians, graduates today need to be more than a good farmer or manager, they must be innovators, entrepreneurs, conservationists, and business-people all rolled into one. As a world leader in agricultural education, Marcus Oldham epitomises this ideal and constantly strives to provide students with the most relevant and dynamic learning opportunities possible.

Weencourageourstudentstoconstantlyquestiontraditionalvaluesand

establishedpractices.Weeducateourlearnerstobeconfidentif,andwhen,

The College has never been in a more exciting position. Our educational programs have earned academic credence, and industry has access to our graduates in faster periods of time. Student enquiry and enrolments are at an all-time high and, with the completion of The Douglas Boyd Centre, the College now has the ability to meet enrolment demand as well as offer new experiences never available to a Marcus Oldham student before.

changeshouldbemade.Weencourageenquiringminds.”

Yes, things are moving in the right direction, but it is imperative that the College maintains this momentum.

Student fees provide all of the educational and residential needs of a student during their time at the College, however, fees do not fund the construction of new builds and renovations. They do not pay for new technology and infrastructure, and they certainly do not fund the many scholarships and bursaries that students and families have come to rely on.

FoundingPrincipal,IvoDean(1962-1978)

As someone who is passionate about Australian agriculture and the equine sector, I am urging you to think about the future of these industries and all that Marcus Oldham stands for. The institution may be small but the networks and future possibilities for industry are endless.

Please join me in supporting this College, it will be one of the most meaningful and enjoyable things you can do.

Antony Baillieu (1971 Graduate) Foundation Chairman

Scan the code to watch footage of the College’s first principleSeeding Great Minds

It started with a vision

3Marcus Oldham Foundation

Our Story

Marcus Oldham’s history is a remarkable story, beginning with a bequest which enabled an independent residential College specialising in farm business management to be established in the hills of Geelong in 1962.

Starting with fourteen students, it has grown to become the foremost agriculture, agribusiness and equine management educational institution in Australia.

It is a story about personalities, visionaries who conceived the idea, dedicated staff who have developed the methodology and curriculum, and members of the Council who have guided the College over the decades to ensure its success.

With an alumni network now exceeding 4000 members, graduates continue to be highly sought after and perform across a diverse range of industries on national and international platforms.

Our Foundation

Since 1989, the Foundation has played an integral and committed role in raising important funds for the College.

Guided by a master plan, the Foundation, with the support of its community, has generated more than $20 million towards educational advancement projects including building infrastructure improvements and expansions, and student assistance through the provision of scholarships and bursaries.

Philanthropic support is vital for our growth and has been the scaffolding to our success. Our educational programs have finally received the academic recognition they deserve and, through the construction of The Douglas Boyd Centre, new connections and technological capabilities are possible, enhancing our educational abilities and reach even further. For the College to continue to advance, we need to ensure we are attracting the very best students from around the country and providing them with the very best learning opportunities and experiences possible.

Your Philanthropy

The world has never needed Australian agriculture more than it does right now and Australian agriculture has never been more reliant on its future custodians. Similarly, the global equine industry needs the very best people driving best practice.

Help us to grow the greatest of minds and ensure Australia’s most valuable resources remain protected, sustainable, competitive, profitable and, above all, uncompromised in diversity and excellence.

We invite you to become a member of the Marcus Oldham Foundation. Enjoy being an active participant in the College’s advancement, our graduates’ success and our industries’ futures.

and grew into somuch more.

5Marcus Oldham Foundation

The Scholarship & Bursary Program

At Marcus Oldham we reward ambitious and determined students with scholarship opportunities to pursue excellence in their chosen fields.

Supporting the scholarship program is particularly rewarding for organisations who have a vested interest in industry and understand the importance of knowledgeable and well-educated graduates to drive it. Young people are the future of Australian agriculture and the equine sector, and industry has a wonderful opportunity to encourage, support, nurture and work with students during their time at the Collegeas well as potentially secure dynamic employees upon graduation.

Bursaries are awarded at the discretion of the College and are often established in perpetuity from a dedicated bequest, such as that provided by the College’s first farm manager, Garth Massey Greene and Farm Management graduate, Peter Smith.

More than 25% of our annual student intake are recipients of a scholarship or bursary.

Educational Advancement

The ability to advance our educational and professional reach is of vital importance to the quality, relativity and uniqueness of our teaching programs.

Implementation and installation of new technologies, sponsored lectureships, industry programs, and the establishment of trial sites are all important aspects to advancing and extending the learning opportunities and experiences for every student.

We would be delighted to talk to you further about our Scholarship & Advancement Programs. Please reach out today.

The heart ofwhat we do

Marcus Oldham Foundation

The Oldham Society - Giving Through Bequest

Marcus Oldham embraces the sense of connection and loyalty that is associated with graduates and friends of the College. The Oldham Society provides a meaningful way to continue to be a part of that connection by investing in the future of Marcus Oldham through a bequest. Giving through bequest provides a lasting legacy to the College and has the ability to make a significant impact on a student’s educational journey.

The Oldham Society provides a wonderful opportunity for like-minded supporters to stay involved with the College during their living years. It also provides the College with the ability to acknowledge and thank benefactors in person. Members of the Society are invited to social functions held at the College and around Australia throughout the year and have the opportunity to meet with other like-minded people who share a common interest in education, young people, agriculture and the equine sectors.

Our Wellbeing Program

In 2015, Marcus Oldham became the first tertiary institution in Australia to embed a health and resilience program into all curriculum. In a proactive response to better manage the typical pressures associated with agriculture and the wider professional sphere, Marcus Oldham has sought to equip its students with vital skills, resilience techniques and strategies that can be used beyond their time at the College.

As an extension of this initiative, the College has a resident psychologist who is accessible to students throughout their studies.

The John B Fairfax Reading Lounge is another important addition to the campus and is located in The Douglas Boyd Centre. This retreat offers students and guests a quieter alternative for study and relaxation.

In 2019, the Foundation sought funding for the development of a graduate wellbeing program. In conjunction with a generous graduate and our professional development arm of the College, we launched this unique Marcus Minds ‘self-discovery & peak performance’ program to our graduate network in May 2022.

The Oldham Society and our Wellbeing Program are two of the most meaningful ways you can support the College. Please talk to us today.

Nurturing

Marcus Oldham Foundation

and who we do it for,

Stage 1

Expansion

Law Smith Residential Wing

Ivo Dean Dining Facility

scan this code to

a fly around Marcus Oldham.

McCann Stables

Scobie & Claire Mackinnon Equestrian Expansion

Proposed Stage 2

Expansion Site

the milestones achieved,

11Marcus Oldham Foundation

1981 & 2011 James Darling Resource Centre

2020 The Douglas Boyd Centre 1994 & 2007 The William Buckland Classroom Wing

2012 Geoff Nielsen Administration Centre

1962 Original Accommodation Wing

Student Residential Extension – Stages 1 & 2

As a residential college, the opportunity to live and learn together is what makes Marcus Oldham unique. Study companions, life-long friendships and future business connections are often formed in residence.

Over the past few years, as student numbers have increased, the College has been forced to source accommodation alternatives off site due to the limited number of bedrooms available on campus.

With an overwhelming demand from students to have the complete ‘Marcus experience’ and live and learn on campus, plans are currently underway to improve, upgrade and expand the student residence.

In June 2022, the first stage of the student residential extension was officially opened with students moving into a brand new 30 bed accomodation building on-campus. The new accomodation building includes common lounge rooms, laundry and bathroom facilities and takes the total on-campus residential capacity to 150 students.

The second stage of the residential expansion is now underway with the planning of a new 40 bed accomodation building, enabling the College to house and educate up to 180 students each year.

Like The Douglas Boyd Centre, student input has been an integral part of the design phase of the accommodation project.

Residential Project Cost (Stage

million

Living on campus is an important part of the Marcus experience. Come and see the facilities and meet some of our students in person.

and the friends madealong the way,

Marcus Oldham Foundation

Building Great Minds

The Douglas Boyd Centre

The Douglas Boyd Centre has fast become the heart of the College, providing seamless connection between students and lecturers, residence and classroom, education and industry.

Completed in 2020, this magnificent state of the art facility provides students with flexible learning spaces and superior technological capabilities never seen at the College before.

Starting with a $10 million price tag, a vision, a charitable benefactor, a progressive College Council and a passionate philanthropic community, $7.5 million has now been raised for this leading-edge teaching facility.

Whilst construction is now complete, our fundraising is not. No contribution is too small, and there are a number of prominent spaces available for those who may wish to give generously. This is a rare opportunity for you to be recognised and leave a lasting legacy on an extremely important educational facility, purpose built for industry.

We acknowledge the support of our named contributors; Philip Myer (Patron), Scobie and Claire Mackinnon (Amphitheatre), The Yulgilbar Foundation (Classroom), The Anthony Costa Foundation (Meeting Room), John B Fairfax AO (Reading Lounge) and Yarram Park (Classroom).

The Learning Centre Project Cost: $10 million.

Funds already secured: $7.5 million

Still to Raise: $2.5 million

Please scan this code to take a tour of The Douglas Boyd Centre.

Come and visit the College today. We would love to show you around The Douglas Boyd Centre and the lifelong ‘naming’ spaces available.

make brilliance possible

Oldham Foundation

A Path to an Exciting Future

The future for Australian agriculture looks very bright. Indeed, the production of food will become increasingly important over the coming decades. The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation predicts that due to the increasing world population, global food production will need to double to meet demand by 2050. Similarly, the Australian equine sector is a multi-billion dollar industry and one of the country’s largest employers. The sector is becoming a major influencer for driving positive change in social licencing and animal welfare protocols.

To meet challenges of the future, the rural and equine industries need to ensure there are sufficient numbers of well trained and educated farmers, managers and industry specialists.

In 2020, Marcus Oldham achieved the highest teaching satisfaction scores of all universities that offer agriculture. In the same year, the College also scored the highest graduate employability ranking compared with all other higher education institutions.

Marcus Oldham ignites passion within its learners. Students are encouraged to connect with and embrace all that the College has to offer. Lecturing staff share the same passion as our students and are keen to engage, support and challenge them to ensure the most stimulating and rewarding educational experience possible.

As Marcus Oldham looks to the future, it is focusing its aspirations on being acknowledged as a University College. In preparation for that journey and desired outcome, the last decade has seen the College significantly develop its educational technology capability, introduce a postgraduate Masters’ program, deliver accelerated degrees, construct additional classrooms and associated campus facilities, including The Douglas Boyd Centre.

The College Foundation remains committed to the task ahead and, with your support, Marcus Oldham will continue to achieve important goals well into the future. Thank you to the many who contribute to our advancement, be it through donation, provision of a scholarship or bursary, or through our bequest program. To those who are considering supporting the College Foundation, please be assured that your assistance will directly benefit our educational programs and the development of industry leaders of the future.

Andrew Baker Principal

the future of Australianagriculture& the equine sector need sinspiringleaders and changemakers.

17Marcus Oldham Foundation