The annual Marcus Oldham Foundation Cocktail party was an outstanding success, with more than 250 guests enjoying the function at Zinc in Federation Square, Melbourne.
Those attending were a cross section of the College community which included graduates from all six decades, student scholarship sponsors, College Council and Foundation executive members, staff, student scholarship recipients and their family members as well as many corporate and personal friends who support the College.
Guest speaker and current parent Tracey Hayes, Chair of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, gave an uplifting speech about the good and bad times she has experienced, and how her commitment to education and continuous learning gave her the tools to get the best from life.
Current first year student and Currawong scholarship recipient, Clancy Mackay, kept the audience spellbound with the story of his life (so far), from growing up on a bare block his parents were developing on the Roper River, to rodeo riding in the US, heli-mustering in the Top End, collecting crocodile eggs and catching buffalo; to finding his way to study Agribusiness at Marcus Oldham.
Foundation Chair, Antony Baillieu (FM71), announced his retirement from the role he has held for 27 years, but not before reminding guests of the purpose of the Foundation. He introduced new Foundation Chair James Bufton (FM94), who announced the College is raising funds for more student accommodation.
The new 40-bed student residence is architect designed and has approvals in place. The campaign will raise $10 million for the construction of the accommodation wing, continuing the College’s student residential expansion program.
This will take the College’s total residential capacity to approximately 190 rooms, sufficient to accommodate 200 students, which has been set as the maximum enrolment number, to retain the College’s immersive learning environment.
For further details on how you might be able to support this project, please contact the Foundation Coordinator on (03) 5247 2919 or email, howcroft@marcusoldham.vic.edu.au.
