Indigenous groups 'dumbfounded' after Welcome to Country axed at Melbourne Storm, South Sydney Rabbitohs clash
A "miscommunication" has led to the cancellation of the Welcome to Country ahead of a blockbuster NRL match on Anzac Day, with indigenous groups and elders set to perform saying they were left "dumbfounded" and in "tears" after the incident.
Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy was advised last-minute the ritual will not need to be performed before the clash between Melbourne Storm and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
First Nations dance groups were in the middle of rehearsing their set on the field at AAMI Park in Victoria's capital on Friday when Aunty Joy was advised by Storm's board.
But moments later the Melbourne club backflipped, apologised and said it could go ahead. However, the groups were left "dumbfounded" and cancelled all performances.
Aunty Joy described the incident as "hurtful" given she wanted to honour her father, who was a veteran, by wearing his medals during their ceremony, The Age reported.
'We would dearly love to be out there, but they've broken our hearts," she said.
'We want to rebuild our relationship. We want to make them (realise) that this was wrong, hurtful, deceitful and tokenistic.'
After the game, which saw Storm beat Rabbitohs 24-16, Melbourne's chairman Matt Tripp revealed the reasoning behind the initial cancellation of the Welcome to Country.
He claimed it was a misunderstanding at the club as the board approved the ceremony for NRL's multicultural and indigenous rounds but not for Anzac Day.
'We weren't sure it was happening in this game, and when we asked the question, there was a bit of confusion," he told Nine Newspapers.
A Storm spokesman later told media the groups had been spoken to about a "miscommunication" about the Welcome to Country at Storm events in 2025.
"We acknowledge and accept the timing and miscommunication was not ideal and we have spoken to the groups concerned this afternoon," he said.
Kathleen Terrick, one of the dancers who were set to perform, said some members of the groups were in "tears" when they learnt what had happened.
She added they decided to cancel their show as they were left hurt by the move.
"When it comes to our elders, we are not going to stand by and let our elders be disrespected," she said to ABC News on Friday night.
The incident briefly marred the final match on Anzac Day.
It also came just several hours after the Welcome to Country was interrupted at the Shrine of Remembrance Dawn Service where hecklers booed and yelled.
Sky News cameras captured prominent neo-Nazi Jacob Hersant and at least two others jeering as an indigenous elder read out the Welcome to Country.
Victoria Police said they identified a 26-year-old man from Kensington who was interviewed for "offensive behaviour", with the man to face court via summons.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday condemned the interruption of commemorations, saying it was "beyond contempt" and "an act of low cowardice".
"Anzac Day is when we come together to remember all those who have served our country in war and the cause of peace, including those who continue to serve our nation today," he said about the incidents at Melbourne and Perth's King's Park.
"As our nation comes together in gratitude, we reiterate our commitment to providing the care, support, and recognition that our veterans and their families deserve.
"We honour all who have volunteered, sacrificed and those who have died for our nation, including First Nations Australians."
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