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RNZ News
07-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Aboriginal and Māori groups call for apology after 'dispespectful' treatment of Welcome to Country
Indigenous communities across the Tasman are calling for greater respect following backlash and "shocking and disappointing" treatment] of a cultural ritual and formal ceremony - Welcome to Country. On Anzac Day, an Aboriginal Bunurong Elder, Uncle Mark Brown, was heckled during a Welcome to Country at Melbourne's dawn service . That evening, Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin was told at the last minute that her Welcome to Country at the Storm vs Rabbitohs game had been cancelled - leaving her "heartbroken." Djirri Djirri, who are the only Wurundjeri female dance group and traditional custodians of Narrm (Melbourne) alongside Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin (right). Photo: Djirri Djirri To make a stand, the Djirri Djirri, who are the only Wurundjeri female dance group and traditional custodians of Narrm (Melbourne), refused to take the stage. A Māori rōpū, Ngā Mātai Pūrua Kapa Haka, who were also set to perform, chose to stand in solidarity with their First Nation brothers and sisters and decided to "boycott." Djirri Djirri dancer Ky-ya Nicholson-Ward (Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung, Ngurai illum Wurrung) told RNZ the moment felt surreal. "My first emotion was shock and disbelief," she said. "Seeing Aunty upset, we all knew we weren't going to go goes against our protocols to be told 'no' on our unceded lands." Nicholson-Ward said that the Storm's CEO claimed the decision was made "to protect them" - but their group had already prepared for possible backlash. "We all came to an agreement that if anything does have our babies with us, and we need to stay strong and stay humble." She called the Storms decision to say no to a senior Wurundjeri elder "shocking and disappointing." "That's a next level of disrespect." Photo: AFP / TREVOR COLLENS In a statement, Melbourne Storm said it acknowledged the miscommunication and would meet with those involved. "There was some confusion on [ANZAC day] and we take responsibility for that," Storm chairman Matt Tripp said. "We apologise for the misunderstanding and will be meeting with them to clear this up." The club also said it would continue discussions with First Nations and Māori communities to strengthen its relationships. That evening, Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin was told at the last minute that her Welcome to Country at the Storm vs Rabbitohs game had been cancelled - leaving her "heartbroken." To make a stand, the Djirri Djirri, who are the only Wurundjeri female dance group and traditional custodians of Narrm (Melbourne), refused to take the stage. A Māori rōpū, Ngā Mātai Pūrua Kapa Haka, who were also set to perform, chose to stand in solidarity with their First Nation brothers and sisters and decided to "boycott." Djirri Djirri, who are the only Wurundjeri female dance group and traditional custodians of Narrm (Melbourne) alongside Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin (right). Photo: Djirri Djirri Djirri Djirri dancer Ky-ya Nicholson-Ward (Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung, Ngurai illum Wurrung) told RNZ the moment felt surreal. "My first emotion was shock and disbelief Nicholson-Ward said there is a common misconception within Australia on what a Welcome to Country is. From her whakaaro: "A Welcome to Country has been done since time immemorial and isn't about welcoming people to Australia, which is a common misconception" Nicholson-Ward says sharing their knowledge and strength to the next generation is so important as their culture has been sleeping. Photo: Djirri Djirri "It's when an elder from the language group - on which the event is gathered - welcomes people to their traditional lands and cleanses people of any negative energy or spirits to make sure the space is a safe space." She said, "It's honouring the people, the land, animals, waterways, and the spirits of these lands that we gather on and acknowledging the ongoing connection that we have to our traditional countries." "It's also to grant safe space, safe passage whilst traveling through or visiting someone else's Country. It's also a chance to educate, unite, and connect through our shared histories and also connect to the oldest continuous culture in the world." She said a Welcome to Country is also only done by an elder of that community. "A lot of people think it's welcoming people to Australia and that's why we get a lot of racist remarks. Like, 'I don't need to be welcomed to my own country.' But when you don't have a clue about what a Welcome to Country is... It's using it as a debate." Nicholson-Ward said their decision to boycott was about protecting future generations. "Sharing our knowledge and strength to the next generation is so important as we're an oral language and we're storytellers, and that's how our culture's been taught from generation to generation." She traced that duty back to her great-grandmother, who she said was forcibly removed from Wurundjeri Country and sent to Coranderrk Mission at Healesville - "where many First Nations people were sent to live on missions and reserves, like animals." After the Melbourne Storm cancelled a Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin on ANZAC day, Djirri Djirri and Ngā Mātai Pūrua Kapa Haka refused to perform - calling for more respect to indigenous elders and customs. Photo: Djirri Djirri "They were forbidden to speak their language, forbidden to practice their culture," she said. "For generations after, my great-grandmothers culture has been sleeping and now we're awakening our culture and our language within my mum's generation, my generation." Nicholson-Ward said she wants the future generations to grow up knowing their heritage with pride, not shame. "We want the next generation to stand up for what they believe in, to grow up in spaces where their voices are heard and respected. That's why we were so passionate on the day, because [our babies] were in our arms, I thought, if we don't stop this disrespect, how will our babies grow up in a safe space in the future?" Tyson Tuala, President and spokesperson for Ngā Mātai Pūrua, said the group stood in immediate solidarity with Djirri Djirri and Aunty Joy. "We really recognise the vastness and absolute desecration of culture here," Tuala said. "We've seen the sleeping, multiple different groups not heard of, multiple iwi, clans, mob, tribes, reduced down to single digits, and many lost." "In those positions, no doubt we could've got up, we could've said a few things. We could've definitely sung, haka. We decided to stay silent so that the full respect to our First Nation brothers and sisters could be felt in that space." Photo: LDR / Laura Smith Tuala said no person outside of a specific culture should enter into a debate about whether or not a cultural protocol is appropriate. "If you let happen next to you or around you, then you are now complicit in actions that happen against your culture on your land." He called the decision to cancel the Welcome to Country "comical". "No culture should feel the indignity of having somebody choose whether or not their practices are appropriate. And two, if you are on this land and it's not yours, you should treat it as good, if not better than your own home." Nicholson-Ward thanked Māori whānau in Aotearoa and Te Whenua Moemoea for their tautoko. "We can all connect to the mistreatment, the attempted genocide and the colonial ways and the transgenerational trauma that we're all a part of in this generation," she said. "I think that's why the Māori community feels that pain as well. When another First Nation people are targeted and told they cannot speak their language anymore or mistreated in any way, we all feel that pain." Djirri Djirri lead dancer Ky-ya Nicholson-Ward says she wants the next generation to stand up for what they believe in and to grow up in spaces where their voices are not only heard but respected. Photo: Djaambi Photography (Benny Clark) "I think that's exactly why on the day, the solidarity and union was instant. It's that universal feeling that we can all relate to." "We all carry that transgenerational trauma from generation to generation. But I think it's our time now to break those barriers, stop those cycles and pass down that generational strength." Nicholson-Ward said she wants organisations to take accountability, show respect and build genuine connections with Indigenous communities and their elders. "We want to feel their willingness to reach out and respect our cultures and learn properly. Learn the protocols, learn why we were so upset, and truly understand what a Welcome to Country is, and the spirituality and culture that we all connect to." She said it's time for wider Australia to embrace its indigenous identity. "We are the oldest living culture in the world and I feel like it's important for people and regular Australians to embrace it. It's the nation's culture and it seems that it's always swept under the rug." "And we want an apology, as simple as that." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Indigenous star Adam Briggs slams 'pathetic' Melbourne Storm for cancelling Welcome to Country ceremony on Anzac Day
Indigenous rapper Adam Briggs has taken aim at the Melbourne Storm for cancelling a planned Welcome to Country ceremony just hours before kick-off at their Anzac Day NRL match. Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy had been scheduled to deliver the Welcome to Country at AAMI Park before Friday night's clash against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Performances by Māori group Ngā Mātai Pūrua and Wurundjeri dance group Djirri Djirri were also organised for the evening. However, as performers rehearsed on the field, Murphy said she was informed by the club's board that they no longer wanted the Welcome to Country to proceed. Following the decision, both Ngā Mātai Pūrua and Djirri Djirri withdrew from performing. Storm chairman Matt Tripp said the issue arose from a misunderstanding between the board and management. Aboriginal Australian rapper, record label owner, comedy writer, actor and author Briggs has slammed the Storm for scrapping the Welcome to Country ceremony Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy says she doesn't understand why the ceremony was cancelled on Anzac Day Briggs, who used to support the Storm, says the actions of the club were a 'cop out'. 'It's pretty pathetic, to be honest, they made this call a while back to wind back Welcome to Country ceremonies and Indigenous engagement,' Briggs told ABC. 'It's unsurprising and their claim that it was a miscommunication is a cop out. 'Why would Melbourne Storm buckle, placate to wannabe neo-Nazis, if that is what in fact drove their decision earlier in the day?' Briggs said he was worried that the Welcome to Country ceremonies were being cast in a 'negative light'. 'It's not a welcome to the country, it's a welcome to country - it's about the history of the land they're a part of,' he said. Tripp stated the board had only approved Welcome to Country ceremonies for multicultural and Indigenous rounds, but not Anzac Day. However, Aunty Joy Murphy says she was told that the Welcome to Country was cancelled by the board because of the booing of Uncle Mark Brown at the Anzac Dawn Service in Melbourne. Melbourne Storm officials have put attributed the incident to an internal miscommunication Anzac Day commemorations were held at AAMI Park and an Acknowledgement of Country was displayed on the big screens at the ground 'When I got in he said it was about the booing that happened and something like protecting or looking after you," she explained to ABC News Breakfast. 'I don't need protecting … I don't understand it.' The Djirri Djirri dance group claim they were told that they were told the same thing. 'We Djirri Djirri were invited to dance alongside our Mäori Whanau Ngã Matai Púrua Kapa Haka after Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin's Welcome to Country,' they said in a statement. 'We arrived at 2.30pm and have been in and out of the change room to rehearse, it has been raining all day and we have multiple babies and kids with us waiting in the rain. 'After our final rehearsal we were approached by Melbourne Storm CEO Justin Rodski saying they are so grateful to have us all dancing together, but tonight the Board doesn't feel comfortable having a Welcome to Country because of what happened in regards to the booing of Uncle Mark Brown at the ANZAC Dawn Service. 'They were also "happy" for us to still dance to represent the "Welcome" but we were in shock and disbelief.' Tripp said he was unaware of the disturbance at Melbourne's dawn service earlier that day. Bunurong elder Uncle Mark Brown was booed during Anzac Day proceedings in Melbourne On Monday, Tripp said the Storm had to fix its relationship with its Indigenous supporters. 'It has disappointed me beyond words,' Tripp told The Age. 'I am acutely aware of the many different cultures and races we have involved in our football club and our supporter base. 'Like I do with anything within the club, I guard that with my life and I want to protect that at all costs. 'To have a miscommunication deem us as non-sensitive to Welcome to Country and beyond that, a part of Australian customs, that has upset me greatly.' Early on Anzac Day, far-right agitators booed and heckled Bunurong elder Uncle Mark Brown during his Welcome to Country at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the actions, saying, 'A neo-Nazi disrupting Anzac Day is abhorrent, un-Australian, and disgraceful. The people responsible must face the full force of the law.' Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said the incident was 'beyond disrespectful' and Defence Minister Richard Marles urged Australians to focus on the sacrifices of Anzac soldiers. RSL Victoria president Robert Webster praised the crowd for drowning out the hecklers with applause, stating it reflected the respect the occasion deserved.
News.com.au
28-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Welcome to Country debate reignited as elders hammer Storm over ceremony axing ‘shame'
Wurundjeri women's dance group Djirri Djirri and Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO have issued a joint statement expressing their 'hurt and anger' at the Melbourne Storm's last-minute axing of a Welcome to Country for their NRL ANZAC Day fixture. Murphy, who has performed the Welcome to Country at various Melbourne events for many years, was cut from the pre-game service at the last minute ahead of the Storm's game against the Rabbitohs, in a move that left her 'broken-hearted'. The cancellation came after several people booed the Welcome to Country ceremony at various Dawn Services around Melbourne hours before the NRL game was due to take place. So on Friday afternoon, the Storm contacted Murphy and informed her that her services were no longer required. Just hours later the Storm backflipped on the decision, asking Murphy to continue with her ceremony as originally planned, however, she declined. While two First Nations groups also scheduled to perform also decided to boycott their performances in protest. Despite Murphy opting not to continue as planned, Melbourne ran an Acknowledgement of Country message on the big screens before their Anzac commemoration. Melbourne Storm chairman Matt Tripp has told The Age the club's handling of the Welcome to Country has 'upset me greatly'. 'Once we understood the programming from management, we gave the green light to progress. By then, it was understandably too late for those who had already been informed of our earlier decision,' Tripp said, citing a lack of clarity between the board and management for the confusion. He explained: 'It (the incident) has disappointed me beyond words. 'I am acutely aware of the many different cultures and races we have involved in our football club and our supporter base. 'Like I do with anything within the club, I guard that with my life and I want to protect that at all costs. 'To have a miscommunication deem us as non-sensitive to Welcome to Country and beyond that, a part of Australian customs, that has upset me greatly.' Addressing the ordeal in a joint statement on Saturday evening, Djirri Djirri and Murphy said what should have been a proud occasion instead caused only grief. 'We Djirri Djirri were invited to dance alongside our Mäori Whanau Ngã Matai Púrua Kapa Haka after Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin's Welcome to Country,' the statement released on Saturday night began. 'We arrived at 2:30pm and have been in and out of the change room to rehearse, it has been raining all day and we have multiple babies and kids with us waiting in the rain. 'After our final rehearsal we were approached by Melbourne Storm CEO Justin Rodski saying they are so grateful to have us all dancing together, but tonight the Board doesn't feel comfortable having a Welcome to Country because of what happened in regards to the booing of Uncle Mark Brown at the ANZAC Dawn Service. 'They were also 'happy' for us to still dance to represent the 'Welcome' but we were in shock and disbelief. Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO, a senior Wurundjeri Elder, was told she could not do a Welcome on her own Country, which devastated her as she wanted to honour her father who fought for Australia in World War 1.' The joint statement then goes on to say the Storm's backflip to include them again felt 'tokenistic' and their move goes entirely against the reconciliation process. 'We had a yarn earlier amongst ourselves about staying strong and brave today as it is a lot, to be Blak on our own Country. We spoke with Justin Rodski and executives with all of us,' the statement continued. 'They came back after that discussion and apologised, but after reconsidering we all came to the decision to boycott. 'We strongly regard this as being totally tokenistic and goes completely against their journey of reconciliation and we feel very disrespected. We stand with and follow the directions of our staunch elders. 'What we do isn't a performance, it's cultural ceremony and protocol. We strongly feel this action taken by Melbourne Storm was unnecessary and has caused us hurt and disbelief in what we thought was a good relationship. 'We wanted to be commemorating today with pride, but instead it was pain. Aunty Joy stayed at AAMI Park for the whole of the ceremony for the ANZACs, wearing proudly her father's medals and honouring all the service men and women who fought for our country.' Is the end near for the Welcome to Country ceremonies before sports games? The Welcome to Country is received – and understood – in very different ways by Australians and over the years it has become a highly polarising issue at major events. The Storm say despite what transpired over the weekend they still intend to hold Welcome to Country ceremonies during the NRL's multicultural and Indigenous rounds this season. However, the reality is the Welcome to Country ceremony for many is becoming tiresome. That was a sentiment that opposition leader Peter Dutton shared in Sunday night's leaders debate, labelling the ceremonies 'divisive' and 'overdone'. 'In relation to the Welcome to Country, the first (point) I would make is that is our most sacred day of the year, Anzac Day, and a time to respect diggers and not a time for booing any part of the ceremony,' Dutton said. 'In relation to the Welcome to Country otherwise … (There) is a sense across the community that it is overdone. 'For the opening of parliament, fair enough, it is respectful to do. But for the start of every meeting at work, or the start of a football game, I think (a lot) of Australians think it is overdone and cheapens the significance of what it was meant to do. 'It divides the country, not dissimilar to what the prime minister did with the Voice (to parliament).'
Daily Mail
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Indigenous performers accuse the Melbourne Storm of LYING about the real reason the team cancelled Anzac Day Welcome to Country at the last minute
Indigenous performers have accused the Melbourne Storm of lying about the reason the club cancelled a planned Welcome to Country ceremony just hours before kick-off at their Anzac Day NRL match. Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy had been scheduled to deliver the Welcome to Country at AAMI Park before Friday night's clash against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Performances by Maori group Ngā Mātai Pūrua and Wurundjeri dance group Djirri Djirri were also organised for the evening. However, as performers rehearsed on the field, Murphy said she was informed by the club's board that they no longer wanted the Welcome to Country to proceed. Following the decision, both Ngā Mātai Pūrua and Djirri Djirri withdrew from performing. Storm chairman Matt Tripp said the issue arose from a misunderstanding between the board and management. Tripp stated the board had only approved Welcome to Country ceremonies for multicultural and Indigenous rounds, but not Anzac Day. However, the Djirri Djirri dance group claim they were told that the Welcome to Country was cancelled by the board because of the booing of Uncle Mark Brown at the Anzac Dawn Service in Melbourne. 'We Djirri Djirri were invited to dance alongside our Mäori Whanau Ngã Matai Púrua Kapa Haka after Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin's Welcome to Country,' they said in a statement. 'We arrived at 2:30pm and have been in and out of the change room to rehearse, it has been raining all day and we have multiple babies and kids with us waiting in the rain. 'After our final rehearsal we were approached by Melbourne Storm CEO Justin Rodski saying they are so grateful to have us all dancing together, but tonight the Board doesn't feel comfortable having a Welcome to Country because of what happened in regards to the booing of Uncle Mark Brown at the ANZAC Dawn Service. 'They were also "happy" for us to still dance to represent the "Welcome" but we were in shock and disbelief.' Tripp said he was unaware of the disturbance at Melbourne's dawn service earlier that day. 'I had no idea,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald. Earlier on Anzac Day, far-right agitators booed and heckled Bunurong elder Uncle Mark Brown during his Welcome to Country at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the actions, saying, 'A neo-Nazi disrupting Anzac Day is abhorrent, un-Australian, and disgraceful. The people responsible must face the full force of the law.' Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said the incident was 'beyond disrespectful' and Defence Minister Richard Marles urged Australians to focus on the sacrifices of Anzac soldiers. RSL Victoria president Robert Webster praised the crowd for drowning out the hecklers with applause, stating it reflected the respect the occasion deserved. Melbourne Storm issued a public statement blaming a 'miscommunication' for the last-minute cancellation at AAMI Park. 'There was a miscommunication of expectations regarding the use [of] Welcome to Country at Melbourne Storm events throughout the year,' the club said. The Storm confirmed they intend to continue Welcome to Country ceremonies during multicultural and Indigenous rounds. The club displayed an Acknowledgement of Country message on the big screens during the Anzac commemoration at AAMI Park. Murphy said no clear reason was given for the initial cancellation, only that Storm chief executive Justin Rodski said it was a board decision. 'After being disrespected, we couldn't then go forward with a smile on our face and act,' Djirri Djirri lead dancer Ky-ya Nicholson Ward said. Murphy added, 'We want to rebuild our relationship. We want to make them realise that this was wrong, hurtful, deceitful and tokenistic.' In December 2024, the Storm announced they would scale back Welcome to Country ceremonies at regular games. The club clarified it would continue acknowledgements at 'culturally significant celebrations.' The decision sparked criticism from Indigenous artists, including Yorta Yorta rapper Briggs, who questioned the club's commitment to cultural recognition. 'See, the cost of living means cultural recognition is just not viable in this economy,' Briggs wrote on X. 'Unsurprising & underwhelming. What's your identity @Storm?' The controversy also follows revelations that Storm part-owner Brett Ralph donated $175,000 to the 'No' campaign during the Indigenous Voice referendum debate. At the MCG on Anzac Day, a Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri elder Uncle Colin Hunter was warmly received before the AFL clash between Collingwood and Essendon. Commentators noted that the strong applause may have been a response to the earlier disruptions in Melbourne. Meanwhile, in Perth, a heckler interrupted Noongar elder and former soldier Di Ryder during her Welcome to Country at Kings Park. Spectators quickly hushed the heckler and supported the ceremony. Veteran and former Fitzroy AFL player Uncle Ricky Morris condemned the behaviour, calling it disrespectful to Aboriginal people and all Australians who have served. '[The people who disrupted Friday's Welcome to Country] need to go back and have a good hard look at themselves,' Morris said. Fans reacted strongly online to the Storm's cancellation, with some calling it 'disgusting' and accusing the club of enabling racist behaviour. 'Melbourne Storm cancelling the Welcome to Country is absolutely disgusting,' one fan posted. 'Melbourne Storm enabled racists when they cut back on the Welcome to Country a while back. Now they cancelled today. Shameful for a club that Greg Inglis played for,' another added. 'You know why? Because it could end with thousands of people booing, arguing, fighting and rioting. Football games are charged with adrenaline and 'fighting spirit.' I really dont think they wanted to risk it,' another speculated. Others welcomed the move, describing the Welcome to Country as divisive and applauding the decision. 'Good. Stop this divisive disingenuous display,' posted one footy fan. Another added: 'Great work Storm, Read the room well, No more of this woke BS' 'And that right there is the beginning of the end of the WTC. The boos will now get louder until it is gone,' another said.
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Indigenous groups claim Welcome to Country at Melbourne Storm clash was cancelled at the last minute - and it was not the only First Nations ceremony that was axed
Indigenous groups say they were left dumbfounded and hurt after the Melbourne Storm cancelled a planned Welcome to Country ceremony just hours before kick-off at their Anzac Day NRL match. Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy had been scheduled to deliver the Welcome to Country at AAMI Park before Friday night's clash against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Performances by Maori group Ngā Mātai Pūrua and Wurundjeri dance group Djirri Djirri were also organised for the evening. However, as performers rehearsed on the field, Murphy said she was informed by the club's board that they no longer wanted the Welcome to Country to proceed. 'We were all just dumbfounded,' Aunty Joy said late on Friday. Following the decision, both Ngā Mātai Pūrua and Djirri Djirri withdrew from performing. Murphy said the club later apologised and asked her to go ahead with the ceremony, but after discussions, the Indigenous groups chose not to continue. 'We would dearly love to be out there, but they've broken our hearts,' Murphy said. Storm chairman Matt Tripp said the issue arose from a misunderstanding between the board and management. Tripp stated the board had only approved Welcome to Country ceremonies for multicultural and Indigenous rounds, not Anzac Day. 'We weren't sure it was happening in this game, and when we asked the question, there was a bit of confusion,' Tripp told The Sydney Morning Herald. He said the board would now consider including the Welcome to Country at future Anzac Day matches. Tripp also confirmed he was unaware of the disturbance at Melbourne's dawn service earlier that day. 'I had no idea. I had been working all day and wasn't aware, but that was disgraceful this morning. We strongly condemn that behaviour,' he said. Earlier on Anzac Day, far-right agitators booed and heckled Bunurong elder Uncle Mark Brown during his Welcome to Country at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the actions, saying, 'A neo-Nazi disrupting Anzac Day is abhorrent, un-Australian, and disgraceful. The people responsible must face the full force of the law.' Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said the incident was 'beyond disrespectful' and Defence Minister Richard Marles urged Australians to focus on the sacrifices of Anzac soldiers. RSL Victoria president Robert Webster praised the crowd for drowning out the hecklers with applause, stating it reflected the respect the occasion deserved. Melbourne Storm issued a public statement blaming a 'miscommunication' for the last-minute cancellation at AAMI Park. 'There was a miscommunication of expectations regarding the use [of] Welcome to Country at Melbourne Storm events throughout the year,' the club said. The Storm confirmed they intend to continue Welcome to Country ceremonies during multicultural and Indigenous rounds. The club displayed an Acknowledgement of Country message on the big screens during the Anzac commemoration at AAMI Park. Murphy said no clear reason was given for the initial cancellation, only that Storm chief executive Justin Rodski said it was a board decision. 'After being disrespected, we couldn't then go forward with a smile on our face and act,' Djirri Djirri lead dancer Ky-ya Nicholson Ward said. Murphy added, 'We want to rebuild our relationship. We want to make them realise that this was wrong, hurtful, deceitful and tokenistic.' In December 2024, the Storm announced they would scale back Welcome to Country ceremonies at regular games. The club clarified it would continue acknowledgements at 'culturally significant celebrations.' The decision sparked criticism from Indigenous artists, including Yorta Yorta rapper Briggs, who questioned the club's commitment to cultural recognition. 'See, the cost of living means cultural recognition is just not viable in this economy,' Briggs wrote on X. 'Unsurprising & underwhelming. What's your identity @Storm?' The controversy also follows revelations that Storm part-owner Brett Ralph donated $175,000 to the 'No' campaign during the Indigenous Voice referendum debate. At the MCG on Anzac Day, a Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri elder Uncle Colin Hunter was warmly received before the AFL clash between Collingwood and Essendon. Commentators noted that the strong applause may have been a response to the earlier disruptions in Melbourne. Meanwhile, in Perth, a heckler interrupted Noongar elder and former soldier Di Ryder during her Welcome to Country at Kings Park. Spectators quickly hushed the heckler and supported the ceremony. Veteran and former Fitzroy AFL player Uncle Ricky Morris condemned the behaviour, calling it disrespectful to Aboriginal people and all Australians who have served. '[The people who disrupted Friday's Welcome to Country] need to go back and have a good hard look at themselves,' Morris said. Fans reacted strongly online to the Storm's cancellation, with some calling it 'disgusting' and accusing the club of enabling racist behaviour. 'Melbourne Storm cancelling the Welcome to Country is absolutely disgusting,' one fan posted. 'Melbourne Storm enabled racists when they cut back on the Welcome to Country a while back. Now they cancelled today. Shameful for a club that Greg Inglis played for,' another added. 'You know why? Because it could end with thousands of people booing, arguing, fighting and rioting. Football games are charged with adrenaline and 'fighting spirit.' I really dont think they wanted to risk it,' another speculated. Others welcomed the move, describing the Welcome to Country as divisive and applauding the decision. 'Good. Stop this divisive disingenuous display,' posted one footy fan. 'And that right there is the beginning of the end of the WTC. The boos will now get louder until it is gone,' another said.
