Emerald songwriter Ian Whitehead will perform his most praised song, Nobody Wins a War, at the Mulgrave Country Club this Sunday, 9 November, from 2pm to 5pm on the terrace.
The performance comes just ahead of Remembrance Day on Tuesday, 11 November, when Australians pause and observe a minute’s silence at 11 am to commemorate the end of fighting in World War I and to honour all those who have died or suffered in wars, conflicts, and peace operations.
“I’ll be performing some original songs, including the special one written about war, which was inspired by Irina Sendler, a famous Polish person who saved 2000 babies in World War II,” he said.
His song, Nobody Wins a War, reflects the stories and conversations Mr Whitehead had with veterans over the years.
“This particular song voices the things I’ve been told by veterans, it’s about the veterans rescuing people and fighting, but every single one of them says war is a horrible thing and everybody agrees on that, and hence the title, Nobody Wins a War,” he said.
“It’s reflecting the discussions that I’ve had with veterans and people at the RSLs about this, and also from touring with Normie Rowe, who was a Vietnam war veteran, who also provided a lot of discussions and input, and believes in supporting ex-servicemen.”
Mr Whitehead spent two years writing this song, he said the song was created with the help of producer Benjamin McCarthy, known for working with Paul Kelly and Voice Australia, and his friend John Palozzi.
“I needed a really good producer. So we got Benjamin McCarthy, who’s with Paul Kelly and Voice Australia, and got a friend John Palozzi to help produce the song as well, to write the song with me,” he said.
For Mr Whitehead, the song is deeply personal.
“All our society is in a state of trauma because of war. Every time we turn the TV on, you see children being killed, displaced, horror. I believe this has affected everybody in society, and this song is really a way of just expressing the feelings I think most people have,” he said.
“The reason I wrote the song is to help people to be a voice for what a lot of people are feeling at the moment, and hopefully help them in some way.”
His own family history has influenced the song too.
“My father served as a captain in World War II, and my uncle fought in the Kokoda Trail, the song and the video talk about particular battles and the effect on soldiers and people as a result of the war.”
Mulgrave Country Club has become a long-standing supporter of Mr Whitehead’s music and message.
“They showed a lot of interest in the material, and the management is absolutely fantastic and supportive,” he said.
“That was in contrast to venues in Emerald and Upwey, which did not support the song and the support of veterans I was giving, but Mulgrave Country Club have booked me every month.”
Mr Whitehead also highlighted the support of 3MDR radio.
“3MDR very kindly interviewed me and did a whole segment and have supported the song. They played it and discussed these important community issues,” he said.
He said the song is intended to spark awareness and reflection.
“The main thing is to support all veterans and gain an awareness of the effect war has on people, and to acknowledge that everybody is feeling a type of trauma,” Mr Whitehead said.
“We’re living in a very uncertain, dangerous world, and we’re reminded of war every day on the TV, I see myself not as creating anything, just as a conduit to express the feelings of people and veterans.”
Mr Whitehead has a long history with Mulgrave Country Club.
“I have a long history of working at Mulgrave Country Club, going back about 10 years now, they’re just beautiful people, prompt with their responses and very welcoming, it’s just a breath of fresh air to see that kind of courtesy and respect,” he said.
