A thanksgiving celebration for the life, love and friendship of
21 November 1941 - 24 April 2026
ALL SAINTS ANGLICAN SCHOOL CHAPEL, MERRIMAC
SATURDAY 9 MAY 2026
Tribute
Len was born in Mackay to Jessie and Leonard in 1941. He trained at St Francis' College and obtained a Licentiate in Theology (ACT) in 1966, a Bachelor of Arts (ANU) in 1975 and was a Member of the Australian College of Educators (MACE). Len was ordained deacon in 1965 and priest 1966.
Len served in the following ministries:
Assistant Curate, St Luke's, Toowoomba, 1965-67;
Assistant Curate, St Paul's, Ipswich, 1967-69;
Assistant Chaplain CEGS (Churchie) Brisbane, 1969; Chaplain Canberra Grammar School, 1970-79;
Housemaster and Assistant to the Headmaster, Canberra Grammar School, 1981-86; PTO, Diocese of Brisbane, 1986-94;
Foundation Headmaster, All Saints' Anglican School, 1986-01; Mission Chaplain 1994-09;
Honorary Canon, St John's Cathedral from 1997;
Canon Administrator, St John's Cathedral, 2003; Director, Ministry Education Commission, 2004-05; Principal, Cathedral School of St Anne & St James, Diocese of Northern Queensland, 2006-08;
Acting Principal, Emmanuel Anglican College, Ballina (Diocese of Grafton) from 2009;
PTO, Surfers Paradise from 2009;
Interim Principal, Fraser Coast Anglican College 2011-12; Canon Emeritus, St John's Cathedral from 2014; Acting Principal, St Luke's Anglican School, Bundaberg, 2016; Archbishop’s Certificate 2021.
In 1980, Len was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and, in 1999, he received a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the Anglican Church, particularly in the field of education.
PRELUDE
PROCESSIONAL HYMN
WELCOME AND GREETING
SENTENCES FROM SCRIPTURE
TRIBUTES
FIRST READING
TRIBUTE
ANTHEM
SECOND READING
Canzone Amorose; March of the Priests, from "The Magic Flute"; In Paradisum, from Requiem
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Mark Nairn (Son)
Bill Adler (Friend and Colleague)
Psalm 23
Patrick Wallas (All Saints Anglican School Headmaster 2002-2024)
Tantum Ergo Sacramentum – sung by All Saints Voices, conducted by Ms Gaynor Donnelly
John 14:1-7 and 27-31
HOMILY Archbishop Phillip Aspinall
PRAYERS
COMMENDATION
BLESSING
RECESSIONAL HYMN
PRELUDE TO THE SERVICE
Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer
The Most Reverend Doctor Phillip Aspinall AC Archbishop Emeritus of Brisbane
The Reverend Canon Ann McGuinness
All Saints Anglican School Chaplain
The Reverend Don Parker St Peter’s Anglican Church, Southport
Led by Prelude
Bassani - Canzone Amorose
Mozart - March of the Priests, from "The Magic Flute"
Faure - In Paradisum, from Requiem
Processional Hymn
1. Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of Heav'n to Earth come down, Fix in us thy humble dwelling, All thy faithful mercies crown; Jesus, thou art all compassion, Pure, unbounded love thou art; Visit us with thy salvation, Enter ev'ry trembling heart.
2. Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit Into ev'ry troubled breast; Let us all in thee inherit, Let us find thy promised rest; Take away our love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be; End of faith as its beginning, Set our hearts at liberty.
3. Come, Almighty to deliver; Let us all thy grace receive; Suddenly return, and never, Never more thy temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, Serve thee as thy host above, Pray, and praise thee without ceasing, Glory in thy perfect love.
4. Finish, then, thy new creation; Pure and spotless let us be; Let us see thy great salvation Perfectly restored in thee; Changed from glory into glory Till in Heav'n we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise!
Welcome
Grace and peace from the Lord be with you. And also with you.
Sentences from Scripture
‘I am the resurrection and the life,’ says the Lord.
‘Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet will they live.’
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3.22-23
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46.1
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
Psalm 130.1 John 3.16
What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, God has prepared for those who love him.
I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Corinthians 2.9 Romans 8.38-39
Let us pray Loving God, you alone are the source of life. May your life-giving Spirit flow through us, and fill us with compassion, one for another. In our sorrow give us the calm of your peace. Kindle our hope, and let our grief give way to joy. Amen.
Mark Nairn (Son)
Bill Adler (Friend and colleague)
Tributes First Reading
The Lord is my shepherd: therefore can I lack nothing. He shall make me lie down in green pastures: and lead me beside still waters. He shall refresh my soul: and guide me in right pathways for his name’s sake. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me. You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me: you have anointed my head with oil and my cup shall be full.
Surely your goodness and loving-kindness will follow me all the days of my life: and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Patrick Wallas
Anthem Tribute
All Saints Anglican School Headmaster 2002-2024
Tantum Ergo Sacramentum
Sung by All Saints Voices, conducted by Ms Gaynor Donnelly
Second Reading
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwellingplaces. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.
Prayers Homily
Archbishop Phillip Aspinall
Prayers for the family will be followed by the Lord’s Prayer.
Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
Commendation
Let us commend Leonard Hilton to the mercy of God, our maker and redeemer.
Merciful God, you created Len in your own image, you loved him in this life and you have called him into your eternal presence. We entrust Len to your gracious keeping, confident that nothing in life or death can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Receive Len into the arms of your mercy, into the peace of your eternal kingdom, and into the company of all your saints. Amen.
Blessing
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Recessional Hymn
1 Guide me, O my great Redeemer, pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but you are mighty; hold me with your powerful hand. Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, feed me now and evermore, feed me now and evermore.
2 Open now the crystal fountain, where the healing waters flow. Let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through. Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer, ever be my strength and shield, ever be my strength and shield.
3 When I tread the verge of Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside. Death of death, and hell's destruction, land me safe on Canaan's side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises I will ever sing to you, I will ever sing to you.
The congregation in the Chapel and the Nairn Theatre is respectfully asked to remain seated after this hymn to allow the family to move to the Heart + Soul Café located beneath the Chapel. You are invited to join the family for refreshments at the end of the instrumental piece.
Thank you for your attendance today.
Acknowledgements
Liturgy and prayers are excerpts from ‘A Prayer Book from Australia’ – The Anglican Church of Australia. Bible Readings from NRSV Anglicised.
Music has been provided by the Performing Arts students and staff of All Saints Anglican School, including members of All Saints Voices, Camerata Strings and supporting students. Arrangements and conducting by Mr Nigel Bardsley, with Mrs Gaynor Donnelly conducting and singing, and Mr Scott Mason on trumpet Bassani - Canzone Amorose
Mozart - March of the Priests, from "The Magic Flute"
Fauré - In Paradisum, from Requiem, Op 48: VII, arranged for Strings and Harp Love Divine, All Loves Excelling – (Hyfrydol) Samuel Wesley
Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer (Cwm Rhondda) William Williams
With deep gratitude to the School Council, Principal, staff and students of All Saints Anglican School for their support of this service honouring our Foundation Headmaster.
We sincerely thank you for being here today, and for all the love and support expressed during this difficult time.
Love from Vada and Family
