24/08/2026
To our Staff, Students, Alumni, supporters and friends of the college
I am pleased to share an important leadership announcement for Marcus Oldham College.
After years of outstanding service and commitment to the College, Principal Andrew Baker has advised that he will retire from the role of Principal at the conclusion of the current academic year.
Andrew’s leadership has played a significant role in shaping Marcus Oldham and strengthening its reputation as one of Australia’s most respected institutions for agriculture and agribusiness education. His passion for the college especially our students, and his unwavering belief in the future of Agriculture have left an enduring mark on the many people whose lives and careers he has influenced.
Andrew has worked at Marcus Oldham for 21 years. He joined as a lecturer in accounting in 2005 become director of Agribusiness in 2008, director of both Agribusiness and Agriculture in 2013 and appointed principal in 2021,
Andrew has always placed the best interests of Marcus Oldham ahead of his own. In 2021, when former Principal Simon Livingston retired, the College faced a difficult search for a successor. With no internal candidates applying and COVID-19 quarantine requirements limiting interstate and international applicants, the College Council was greatly relieved when Andrew Baker put his hand up for the Principal position to ensure a “safe set of hands” as he put it.
While Andrew will be stepping down as Principal, I am delighted to confirm that he will remain with the College in a full-time lecturing role. This means our students will continue to benefit from his knowledge, experience and mentorship, and the College will continue to draw upon his wisdom and deep understanding of Marcus Oldham. We are also confident that Andrew will be a valued source of support and guidance during the leadership transition.
A true measure of leadership is not how long a leader remains in the role, but how well they develop others to succeed them when they are gone. By this measure and many others Andrew has excelled.
The Board has appointed Cleo Gower as the next Principal of Marcus Oldham College, effective 15 December 2026.
Many of you already know Cleo through her role as Deputy Principal and Academic Director of both Agriculture and Agribusiness. Cleo has demonstrated exceptional leadership. She understands Marcus Oldham’s unique culture, values and purpose, and is exceptionally well placed to lead the College into its next chapter.
We are fortunate to be able to build on the strong foundations established under Andrew’s leadership while embracing the energy, ideas and vision that Cleo will bring to the role.
On behalf of the Board, I want to sincerely thank Andrew for his remarkable contribution as Principal and congratulate Cleo on her appointment. We look forward to working closely with both of them throughout this transition and beyond.
Marcus Oldham has always been defined by its people, its practical approach to learning, and its commitment to developing the next generation of leaders in agriculture and agribusiness. With Andrew continuing as a member of our academic team and Cleo stepping into the role of Principal, I am confident that the College’s future is bright.
As part of the leadership transition, Cleo will work with the Board and College team over the coming months to consider how her current academic and course leadership responsibilities are best distributed. This will provide an opportunity to build capability across the College, support the development of emerging leaders, and ensure Marcus Oldham continues to deliver relevant, high-quality education into the future.
Please join me in thanking Andrew for his extraordinary service and in congratulating Cleo as she prepares to lead Marcus Oldham into its next exciting chapter.
Warm regards,
Rob McGavin
Chairman
Marcus Oldham College