MPs TOUR MARCUS
Federal Education Minister, The Hon Dan Tehan, Western Victoria Region Upper House MP, Bev McArthur and Member for Polwarth, Richard Riordan met with Dr Simon Livingstone, Principal of Marcus Oldham College and Vice Principal, Tony McMeel to learn about the exceptional agricultural and equine courses offered at this world-renowned educational facility at Waurn Ponds.
Marcus Oldham has provided highly regarded agricultural, agri-business and equine courses for 57 years and currently has 250 students enrolled. Marcus Oldham aims to educate the future leaders of the Agriculture sector within Australia and further abroad.
The meeting included an inspection of the new state-of-the-art ‘Learning Centre’ built at a cost of $11.75m and which was totally self-funded. Students will have access to some of the best lecturers in the world, beamed live into their lecture theatre, as well as onsite farming and equine practical work throughout Australia.
Students come to Marcus Oldham having already participated in the workforce and are immersed in an accelerated, intense education program that includes practical coursework and international sight visits of best practice farming and equine institutions.
Study focuses on profitability and sustainability in agriculture with an exceptionally high student satisfaction rate and a 98% employment outcome at the conclusion of study. Five years ago, an impressive health and resilience program was implemented with a focus on the mental health of graduates and their rural communities.
Quotes attributed to Dan Tehan MP:
“It was wonderful to visit Marcus Oldham and see the new facilities. They do an outstanding job educating farmers across the nation and I look forward to working with the College as they continue to grow the provision of agricultural education into the future.”
Quotes attributed to Bev McArthur MP:
“Marcus Oldham educates the leaders of agriculture and agribusiness in Australia and is a premier educational asset to Western Victoria Region.”
“The changing face of agriculture requires innovation and education to ensure that Australia remains the premium producer of the world.”
Quotes attributed to Richard Riordan MP:
“Tertiary agricultural study is an investment in our region’s future and one of the most potent tools for drought mitigation and climate change.”
Quotes attributed to Dr Simon Livingstone, Principal Marcus Oldham:
“It was a pleasure to have the Education Minister and local MPs visit Marcus Oldham. I look forward to further discussions with the Minister on how we can progress access to opportunities for students across Australia and from overseas at Marcus Oldham while further enhancing our educational outcomes.”
“Marcus Oldham have always sought to work with the agricultural and equine industry to further support rural and regional Australia.”
ENDS
18 December 2019