The 30-member Gold Coast Latter-day Saint Choir performed during an unveiling ceremony of the new Queensland Korean War Memorial in Cascade Gardens, Broadbeach, on 20 August.
Honoured by the invitation to join a select group of performers for the solemn occasion, the choir rendered the Australian National hymn as well as "I Still Call Australia Home" and other songs during the official service and at the Celebration of Peace held afterwards.
The ceremony included addresses by the Hon. Anna Bligh MP, Premier of Queensland, and by representatives of the Republic of South Korea. In attendance were Cr. Ron Clarke, Mayor of Gold Coast City, and Jin Soo Kim, Consul General Republic of Korea.
Also present were other federal, state and local government leaders, military personnel, chaplains, and Korean and Australian war veterans. Gold coast Stake President Dean Reid, who laid a wreath on behalf of the Church, was the only local religious leader in attendance.
Vincent Warwick, a Latter-day Saint from the gold Coast, said, "It was truly a huge event and one that showcased the Church as a contributor in the community." After the ceremony The Queensland Korean Society hosted a celebration and luncheon, at which the Church choir entertained with songs from the 1950's.
"The Choir was magnificent at both the site and the Waterways and cheered up the diggers no end," said Maurie Pears, Lt. Colonel (Ret), who was the project manager.
The Gold Coast Choir got its start about eight years ago, offering their voices at the Mudgeeraba ANZAC Day Ceremony. Now directed by Sister Gayle Hampson, Stake Music Director, the choir enjoys invitations to sing at public events, such as the recent Mudgeeraba Country Show.
The memorial is graced by a life-size statue of a soldier, and honours Korean and Australian Army, Navy and Air Force troops who served in the bitter conflict of the 1950's. They fought to keep the Republic of Korea free, and the choir was proud to join in remembering them.
Click here to view video of the unveiling.