A Very Fortunate Life

AB Facey’s autobiography “A Fortunate Life” was a best-seller but AC Facey’s understanding of property development has made him a best-seller - and buyer.

Andrew Facey DipFM’66 was, indeed, fortunate to go to Marcus. Without the entry requirements of a school Leaving Certificate or farm employment, a conversation between his father Angus and then Principal, Ivo Dean, luckily resulted in an early entry opportunity for Andrew to study farm management. “I loved Marcus Oldham when I went there, I made some great mates and I still have them, even though it’s fifty odd years ago. I also realise what it’s done for me in business, and it’s helped me enormously.” Andrew’s family had farming properties at Strathbogie and Narre Warren but as his father was also in real estate, Andrew soon joined him after graduating from Marcus. “I went into the 55-year-old family business, and I enjoyed selling. My father was a wonderful man, and I was only 25 when he let me take over. Then I went into development. I have had a great working life as I’ve been able to keep my rural interests. I’ve stayed in the property industry ever since, and I’ve stayed in the farming industry ever since.” Andrew is now in the fortunate position of being able to give back. He has very generously made a gift of $1 million to Marcus Oldham College.

Photos: Jane Dunning Photography

"I would say to students, work out what you want to do, if you love something, you are generally very good at it. Don’t try and do what someone else wants you to do."

“I do feel I should give back as I loved my years at Marcus, a couple of the best years of my life. They taught me a lot. It’s great I can give back to help young people and it’s lovely to give to something I have so much feeling towards. That’s why I want to give it now, so I can see what it does. I don’t want to wait until I die.”

Andrew credits his success with forward planning. “The best rural industry I know is buying strategic farmland and chopping it up into little blocks of land for housing. In property development you have to know when to hold and when to fold. I bought farmland well ahead of time and then the rezoning to residential and industrial has come through. Our holdings are mostly around where I grew up, in the Pakenham area, down through Warragul, Grantville and now Nagambie. I’ve stayed in my backyard. It pays to stick to what you know and not try to be everywhere.” ‘Boxgrove’ is 1400 acres and has four kilometres of Goulburn River frontage, between the weir and Lake Nagambie, walking distance from the town. While currently running sheep and crops, Andrew has been busy clearing paddocks, planting trees and establishing roads as he works through his development plans. They include a tourist park- Nagambie Waters- with space for cabins, caravans, and camping, right on the river. Andrew’s generosity and sound advice will make a big difference at Marcus.

“I would say to students, work out what you want to do, if you love something, you are generally very good at it. Don’t try and do what someone else wants you to do. Mentors are extremely important, pick the right mentor and learn all you can from people you know, trust and respect. Make your mistakes early and make them small.” The College has benefitted greatly from AC Facey’s very fortunate life.

“It’s wonderful to give back, especially when you know that what you are giving can go a long way. I hope other people do the same if they are in a position to do so.” afacey@parklea.com