Iona College War Memorial Commemoration and Remembrance Day Service 11 November 2025
Principal’s Welcome
Good morning, and welcome to Iona College for what is a very special celebration for our College and our community.
Today’s official opening, blessing and commemoration of the Iona College War Memorial is the culmination of more than three years of hard work, dedication, determination and resilience to save an important part of our community’s history, and create a new icon of Iona.
The breathtaking Iona College War Memorial is dedicated to all Ionians - Old Boys and their families - who have served in defence of our nation.
Fittingly, it is a passion project that has been driven by Iona Old Boys.
From the vision and inspiration of our former Rector Fr Michael Twigg OMI, the guidance and support of the Old Boys associated with the Manly-Lota RSL, the tireless work of Iona staff members Michael Westlake and Brayden Teece, and finally the incredible craftsmanship of sculptor Daniel Gill, this truly has been a labour of love.
On behalf of Iona College, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and a grateful community, I offer all of these men my heartfelt thanks.
My sincere thanks also to the Honourable Matt Keogh MP, the Federal Member for Burt in Western Australia and the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel; and to Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Adrian Schrinner.
Without their personal interest and the support of their repsective teams at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Brisbane City Council, it is likely this dream that began in 2022 would never have come to fruition.
The Iona College War Memorial may be located on our campus, but it truly is a gift for our entire community - and a wonderful celebration of God’s grace and the gifts He has bestowed on those who brought the ‘fallen digger’ - destroyed by vandals in 1990 and then thought lost for 30 years - back to life.
It also continues the legacy of community care, compassion and daring begun by St Eugene de Mazenod that remains at the heart of the Oblate Mission.
Thank you again to everyone involved, and thanks to all of you for joining us to celebrate this remarkable story for our community.
God bless,
MR TREVOR GOODWIN PRINCIPAL & CEO
Order of Services
MEMORIAL COMMEMORATION - LINDUM-MERE
Official Welcome
Acknowledgement of Country
Video presentation of statue restoration project
Guests move to lawn marquees
MEMORIAL COMMEMORATION - LAWN MARQUEES
Principal’s Welcome - Mr Trevor Goodwin
‘Go Light Your World’ - Performed by the Iona College Singers, and conducted by Mrs Madonna Forster
Iona College Student Reading
Guest speaker: Wing Commander Tim Pook
Royal Australian Air Force, Iona College Old Boy
Prayer and Blessing: Fr Joe Antony OMI Rector, Iona College
End of Memorial Dedication, beginning of Remembrance Day Service
Iona College War Memorial Commemoration
GO LIGHT YOUR WORLD
By Chris Rice
There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning and some dark and cold. And there is a Spirit who brings a fire Ignites a candle and makes his home.
Carry your candle, run to the darkness, Seek out the helpless, confused and torn. And hold out your candle for all to see it, Take your candle, and go light your world. Take your candle, and go light your world.
We are a family whose hearts are blazing, So, let’s raise our candles and light up the sky. Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus. Make us a beacon in darkest times.
So, Carry your candle, run to the darkness, Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn. And hold out your candle, for all to see it, Take your candle, and go light your world. Take your candle, and go light your world. Take your candle, and go light your world.
Order of Services
REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE - IONA COLLEGE WAR MEMORIAL
Entrance of the Catafalque Party
‘In Flanders Fields’ - Performed by the Iona College Singers, and conducted by Mrs Madonna Forster
Remembrance Day Address: Mr Ted Barber Ex-Serviceman, Manly-Lota RSL member, Iona College Old Boy
Laying of the Wreaths
‘Piper’s Lament’ - Performed by Iona College student Will McGravie
Remembrance Day Service
IN FLANDERS FIELDS
By John McRae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields, In Flanders fields and now we lie, in Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields, in Flanders fields
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields, in Flanders fields
Order of Services
REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE - IONA COLLEGE WAR MEMORIAL
The Ode of Remembrance: Mr Michael Muir
Ex-Serviceman, former President Manly-Lota RSL
THE ODE OF REMEMBRANCE
They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow, They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.
Response: We will remember them.
‘The Last Post’ - Performed by Iona College student Patrick Lucas
Minute’s Silence
‘The Rouse’ - Performed by Iona College student Patrick Lucas
‘Advance Australia Fair’ - Performed by the Iona College Singers, and conducted by Mrs Madonna Forster
Catafalque Party dismounts
Remembrance Day Service
ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR
Australians all let us rejoice
For we are one and free
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil
Our home is girt by sea
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts
Of beauty, rich and rare
In history’s page let every stage
Advance Australia fair
In joyful strains then let us sing
Advance Australia fair.
Morning Tea Reception - Lindum-mere
SPECIAL MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
Please join us after the formalities for refreshments at historic Lindum-mere.
As a fitting and special conclusion to today’s celebration, and continuing the connection to our treasured Old Boys, Iona College is delighted to present two very special songs created by Old Boys Michael Stewart and MIchael Quinn (both from the Class of 1977).
Friends since they were nine years of age, both Michaels have combined their shared passions for music and the Iona community to create these original songs honouring the spirit of our defence forces, and those left behind on fields of battle around the world. We are delighted to have both men joining us today for this celebration, and we thank them for this special contribution.
We hope you enjoy!
‘Across Green and Carefully Laid Lawns’
Written by Michael Quinn and Michael Stewart
Vocals: Liam Waldock
‘Sounds of the Fallen’
Written by Michael Stewart and Michael Quinn
Lead Vocals: April Parkinson
Trumpet: Aaron Tickner
Drums: James Morrisson
Morning Tea Reception - Lindum-mere
ACROSS GREEN AND CAREFULLY LAID LAWNS
Across Green and Carefully Laid Lawns” is a haunting reflection on the Great War — and on all wars since.
Penned by Michael Stewart before the music was conceived by Michael Quinn, the song carries an almost sacred calm, born from deep thought about what remains after so much loss.
Michael Stewart explains:
“I felt with such great loss of life in the Great War — was that it?
“After all that was it just about green and carefully laid lawns. When all is said and done, those lives were worth so much more.
“The song asks whether remembrance alone is enough, or whether humanity must reach for something higher — understanding, compassion, and peace.
A song that stands at the edge of remembrance, where war once swept across fields of youth and promise, the chorus questions the very fabric of humanity.
“Those soldiers, who glimpsed heaven through the darkness of their final moments, are not forgotten.”
SOUNDS OF THE FALLEN
Sounds of the Fallen is a deeply moving tribute to the ANZAC soldiers who fought and fell on the battlefields of Villers-Bretonneux and Pozières during the Great War.
Inspired by Michael Stewart’s own grandfather, who fought at Pozières in July 1916, the song carries a personal connection to sacrifice, memory, and the enduring spirit of those who served.
It is not only a remembrance — it is an echo of courage, sorrow, and the quiet dignity that lingers long after the guns fall silent.
Michael Quinn’s composition frames the entire piece with grace and restraint.
He played all instruments (except trumpet and drums), weaving together layers of sound that are both cinematic and deeply personal — the heartbeat of remembrance in musical form.
“Sounds of the Fallen was written as a tribute to the men who fought with extraordinary bravery — especially those at Villers-Bretonneux and Pozières, “ Michael Stewart said.
“I wanted the song to honour them all — not just as soldiers, but as sons, brothers, and friends whose lives echoed through generations.”
