COLUMN
FROM THE FOUNDATION MANAGER
Alannah Halloran
Invest. Support. Advance. Without doubt, 2020 and 2021 will go down in Marcus Oldham history as particularly memorable periods. Not because of the debilitating pandemic that has caused more havoc than could have ever been imagined. Nor due to the changing of the guards in College Principal or Council executive, though historically monumental and exciting in their own right.
knowledgeable and well-connected people, Australian agriculture and the equine industries will not advance, nor prosper efficiently or sustainably. So, a big THANK YOU to those who continue to believe in Marcus Oldham and the Foundation who, combined, strive to provide a unique and excellent learning program and experience. Having been involved with the College since 1997, I have had the privilege of meeting, talking and breaking bread with many community members from around the country. It isn’t something I take for granted, it is what drives my passion and belief in the College’s importance and relevance.
In the past 18 months, our community, through a number of generous supporters, has bequeathed, pledged and donated, almost $2million to the College Foundation. This giving has extended across important projects such as The Douglas Boyd Centre, the expansion of the student residence, our graduate wellbeing program, the student scholarship and bursary program, and our ever-important bequest program.
Two people who have been extremely generous with their time, knowledge and friendship over the years are Tim McGavin and Andrew Facey. 1994 Agribusiness graduate, Tim, together with Laguna Bay, has enabled the Marcus Minds wellbeing and peak performance program (for graduate and industry professionals) to come to life. And 1966 Farm Business Management graduate and successful businessman, Andrew, has recently pledged an extraordinary “living bequest” of $1 million. The Foundation is so incredibly grateful to both gentlemen for their continued interest in Marcus Oldham’s advancement and we are excited that they will be able to witness the benefits of their generosity first-hand.
The recent Foundation prospectus was designed to provide the community with a clear idea of where the College was heading and what needed to be done to get there. Many of you will have seen the prospectus through digital presentation, others via the booklet. This prospectus was an important project in itself, and through the use of narrative, poetry, imagery and, the now widely accepted QR code, we have been able to bring the College to you in its full glory - from its inception to current day.
Enjoy reading more about these two inspiring gentlemen in this issue of MOCOSA and please reach out to me in the Foundation office should you wish to say hello, discuss your giving interests or simply obtain a copy of our new prospectus.
We may be small, but we have accomplished so much in our 60-year history. The advancement of the College is largely because of the community around it; graduates and families, industry believers and supporters, philanthropic trusts, and generous individuals who share the same passion for agriculture and the equine industry as we do. Individuals and organisations who understand, that without exceptional,
Alannah Halloran Foundation Manager foundation@marcusoldham.vic.edu.au
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