COLUMNS
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dr Simon Livingstone This year has been successful for Marcus Oldham on many fronts - new educational offerings, buildings and facilities, landscapes, and plans for the future. Student enrolments are at an all-time high and 2022 is shaping up to be another good year for the college.
The past two years, however, have been difficult for both staff and students as the institution has had to navigate all things COVID. I wish to acknowledge the effort of the Marcus team as they taught our students through these difficult times. The students successfully adjusted to remote learning and progressed their studies with the assistance of the new Douglas Boyd Centre - and supported by the Learning Management System - Desire to Learn (D2L).
I have been fortunate to be associated with a quality organisation for a considerable period of time in a range of capacities. Marcus Oldham has meant a lot to me. My experience as a twenty-one-year-old Queenslander studying farm management at Marcus Oldham in the 1980s was particularly enjoyable and I reflect fondly on the time I had at the college as a student. The MOCOSA editor asked that I write a reflective piece for inclusion in this magazine. I enjoyed undertaking that task and being able to revisit and reminisce on my time as a student, lecturer, and principal.
Preparation is well underway for next year’s intake with construction of thirty new student bedrooms. In addition, the college is developing a comprehensive Accommodation Masterplan which will provide for more rooms to be built in future years. Contained in the Masterplan will be the construction of additional bathroom facilities in the older accommodation wings. Marcus alumni are well-aware how living on campus adds significantly to the whole college experience.
I am pleased to be leaving the College in good shape. Not all CEOs can pick their departure time. The college’s next five-year strategic plan is firmly in place, and I will enjoy seeing Marcus continue to develop and grow over the coming years. I congratulate Andrew Baker on his promotion as the incoming Principal and wish he and Deputy Principal, Tony McMeel all the best.
At the end of last year, I notified the Chairman of the College Council, Bruce Wilson, that I would be retiring in December 2021.
I have no doubt the college will continue to make a significant positive contribution to Australian agriculture and the equine sectors well into the future.
I thanked the College Council for their support over my tenure. I have always admired and respected the commitment of the Board as they have undertaken their voluntary governance roles. I have enjoyed Council members’ support and friendship over a long period. Successful organisations are those that have a committed and talented workforce. I thank the staff at Marcus for their efforts and particularly those who I have worked with for close to two decades.
Dr Simon Livingstone (Graduate 1987). Principal
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