Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Gold Coast area of Australia took part for the 13th year in a row at ANZAC Day ceremonies in Queensland.
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- Young-adult-members-of-the-Gold-Coast-Stake-pass-out-programs-at-the-performances-of-the-Choir-at-the-commemorations-in-Mudgeeraba-and-Springbrook-in-Queensland.-Australia,-April-2022.
- War-memorial-in-Mudgeeraba,-Queensland-where-Gold-Coast-Stake-Choir-performed-on-ANZAC-Day.-Australia,-April-2022.
- ANZAC-Day-commemoration-in-the-Gold-Coast-area-of-Queensland.-Australia,-April-2022
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ANZAC Day is set aside each year on 25 April in Australia and New Zealand to remember and give thanks for all those who have fought for their country, and who have served in military roles over the years.
The choir, made up from members of several Gold Coast congregations, have been regulars at ANZAC events every year since 2009. This year they performed in Springbrook in the morning and in Mudgeeraba at their sunset service.
Former Choir director Gayle Hampson shared a story about their then band master, Vic Knowles, whose wife Eliza sang in the choir. While visiting a Gold Coast Latter-day Saint meetinghouse, he heard a recording of “Be Still My Soul” by the famous Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, which is sponsored by the Church.
He asked who was singing the song on the recording.
“When he heard that inspirational ‘Finlandia’ music by Sibelius was performed by the Tabernacle Choir, he commented that he had never heard a more beautiful version. He offered to do an arrangement of it for our choir and it became a standard that we sang for many years.”
This year’s songs were: I Still Call Australia Home; O God Our Help in Ages Past;New Zealand National Anthem; Royal Anthem; Australian National Anthem; Abide With Me; and Yarrawonga.
Marina Taulepa, who handles communication for the Gold Coast Stake, added, “We have a wonderful relationship with Mudgeeraba and Springbrook ANZAC committees, and were invited to attend the planning meetings this year for the first time. I was so pleased to see that they really do value our church and our choir’s involvement in their event. It has really been a wonderful way to connect with our community.”
A Stake is a group of congregations.