Our History

In 1957, Iona’s campus consisted of donated land, a repurposed farmhouse, and the vision of our Founders for what Iona could become.

On 1 October, 1957, two Oblate priests arrived on Iona Hill in a beat-up, second-hand Vauxhall with precisely 119 days to turn a run-down 32-acre farm and its dilapidated farmhouse into a place of learning and faith for the community.

Fr Tim Long OMI and Fr Denis McCarthy OMI had no money. But they had a vision of what this new school called Iona could become, an unshakeable belief they could make it happen, and the faith of a community willing to roll up their sleeves to make it happen.

Local mums and dads dug trenches, cleared fields and repaired buildings knowing they were contributing to something great. They not only built a school, but built a culture of hard work, faith, loyalty and community that remains at the core of who we are to this day.

Iona remains focused on our pastoral and wellbeing programs that support our students and families, and our Catholic foundations that teach the importance of faith, belief and Christian values.

Each day, guided by the Oblate Charism and the teachings of Jesus, every Ionian is challenged to reach their potential to serve their community and, in the words of St Eugene, “Learn who you are in the eyes of God”. 

The College Crest represents the foundations of faith, strength and community that Iona is built on, and the Catholic values and standards Ionians are expected to uphold. “In Hoc Signo Vinces” were the words that changed Christianity forever.

In 312AD, the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great was leading his troops into the famous Battle of Milvian Bridge in the great civil war for control of Rome. When he looked at the afternoon sun, he saw above it a lighted cross, and the words “In Hoc Signo Vinces”.

That night he was visited in a dream by Jesus, who told Constantine to put the cross on the shields of his solders before battle so “in this sign you will conquer”.

Constantine woke the next morning as a true believer. He put the cross on the shields as Jesus had told him, won the battle, and took his position as Master of Rome.

Under his reign, Christianity spread throughout the empire, eventually becoming the official religion of the Roman Empire.

The Iona Crest is based on the family crest of Fr Patrick O’Donnell, who was Archbishop of Brisbane in the early years of the College’s life - both as a tribute to him, and to ensure the Archdiocese would look favourably on the new school, and give it the time it needed to establish itself, survive and thrive.

It is a symbol of spirit, as much as spirituality.

The gorilla was first adopted as an unofficial mascot for Iona College in 1992, and in recent times has been officially adopted as an Iona College logo and key part of our identity.

The Iona gorilla is now used across all areas of College life and is an immediately recognisable symbol of Iona across the wider community, with strong messaging in its deliberate design: Strength, resilience, confidence, humility – and always moving forward with eyes focused on what is ahead.

In 2023, on the 60th anniversary of Iona’s first graduating class of 1963, the College introduced ‘The Iona Silverbacks’ – a membership group created to honour our Old Boys who have reached 50 years since graduation.

In nature, the silverback is the mature male that is the leader of a gorilla troop, responsible for protecting and nurturing the younger members, and teaching the next generation of their responsibilities so they may one day lead.

It is a fitting analogy for our most senior Old Boys, and reflective of the role they play in Iona’s culture and tradition.

Telling our story in a new way

In conjunction with the Iona Old Boys Association and Morningstar Books, Iona College is pleased to introduceThe Silverback’s Song – a beautifully crafted, hardcover picture book for children celebrating the Iona community.

Written by well-known Brisbane author and current Iona mum Dannika Patterson, and beautifully illustrated by Old Boy Nick Kohler, The Silverback’s Song follows the birth of a young gorilla named Imani (meaning ‘faith’) who is raised, nurtured and supported by a loving community.

Launched in August 2024, The Silverback’s Song is a unique initiative to celebrate the school’s strong connection to its community.

“On every level, the book is just amazing,” said Iona College Principal Mr Trevor Goodwin.

“The fact that it has been created by two people so deeply connected to Iona – with Dannika being a current mum at the school, and Nick an Old Boy of the College – just makes it even more special.

“Both Dannika and Nick were able to draw on their own sense of belonging to the Iona community to create something that is beautifully moving.

“On its own, it is a wonderful book for children, and a fabulous example of the God-given creative and artistic talent that we have in our community.

“When you add in the special resonance for us as Ionians, and its celebration of our connectedness and sense of community, it really is a work of art.

“I cannot thank Dannika, Nick and everyone involved for bringing The Silverback’s Song to life.”

The gorilla has been Iona’s mascot for more than 30 years. Iona’s most senior Old Boys, who have marked 50 years or more since their graduation, are known as the Iona Silverbacks.

The Silverback’s Song was commissioned by the Iona Old Boys Association to share our story of what it means to be an Ionian – and to be a welcoming gift for the children and grandchildren of Old Boys when they are born into our community where they will be embraced and belong.

“The original idea was to create a book as a keepsake and momento for an Iona Old Boy when they welcomed a child into the world, as a reminder that are also being born into a loving Iona community that will support and embrace them,” Mr Goodwin said.

“But after Dannika and Nick began collaborating, it soon became apparent that this was something very special that needed to be shared with everyone.”

Ms Patterson, the celebrated Brisbane author of Jacaranda Magic, said the project had been a joy to work on.

“When I was first approached by Iona about writing the book, I was immediately excited because it was a story that was created to celebrate wonderful themes like a child growing up in a loving and supportive community,” she said.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have created, and I have been jumping out of my skin to be able to share it with everyone, because the art that Nick has produced to help tell the story is just so beautiful.

“I must have seen these pictures a million times by now, but there are still pages that make me cry because the pictures grab your heart.

“As far as I am aware, this is the first time a school has produced a book like this. But while Iona may have been the first, I suspect they will not be the last. It is amazing.”

Incredibly, given his extensive background in art and graphic design, The Silverback’s Song is Mr Kohler’s first foray into book illustration.

“It really has been a labour of love,” Mr Kohler said. “As an Iona Old Boy, being asked to contribute to such an amazing project, and to work alongside Dannika and put pictures to her beautiful words, just meant so much to me.

“I think all Iona Old Boys share a deep affection and connection to the College, so to be able to celebrate that and help tell the story of that belonging was amazing.

“There is no doubt it was a challenge for both of us, because we wanted to make sure it was done right. With our own connection to Iona, we were able to do that.

“We could also introduce a few Easter eggs along the way, such as the butterflies throughout the book being in the colour of Iona’s 10 Houses for example, to give the readers a wonderful story to explore.”

The book is set in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where our Oblate Missionaries work to help the less fortunate, supported by the money raised by Iona on Oblate Mission Action Day.

A portion of proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated by Iona to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, to support its mission to ‘help people and save gorillas’ in this region.