Latest news with #JoyMurphy
Sky News AU
09-05-2025
- Health
- Sky News AU
Melbourne Storm pay heavy price for Welcome to Country snub as major partner cuts ties with club
Victorian Aboriginal Health Services have ended their partnership with the Melbourne Storm after the NRL club moved to axe its Anzac Day Welcome to Country ceremony at the 11th-hour. Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy revealed she had been told the ceremony would not go ahead at the same time First Nations dancers were doing final rehearsals for the performance. Although the club almost immediately backflipped and issued an apology, those participating in the ceremony said they were left "dumbfounded" and the performance was cancelled. In a statement on Thursday, VAHS said it had cut ties with the Melbourne Storm due to their 'lack of respect and cultural sensitivity'. 'The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service has made the difficult decision to withdraw our partnership on the Deadly Choices campaign with Melbourne Storm, effective immediately,' the statement read. 'Our decision is directly related to the Melbourne Storm Board's decision to cancel Aunty Joy's Welcome to Country at the Anzac Day match. Storm vs. Rabbitohs. 'This decision directly had a hurtful impact on Aunty Joy, the Djirri Djirri dancers, and the Wurundjeri People. We are mindful that the negative ripple effect was also felt by Aboriginal people across Naarm, the state, and the nation. 'The decision made by the Melbourne Storm Board demonstrated a lack of respect and cultural sensitivity towards Aboriginal people and Communities, specifically in relation to the treatment and recognition of Aunty Joy and the Wurundjeri People, particularly their cultural protocols and practices.' The Deadly Choices campaign was an initative with the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health aimed at encouraging Indigenous Australians to eat well and exercise more frequently. Following the decision to end the partnership, VAHS will no longer be a community outlet for NRL Indigenous round tickets or Melbourne Storm home games and will also cease organising for local Koori children to play halftime exhibition games. The organisation added Melbourne Storm's decision had fostered sadness and anger in the community and among stakeholders. 'Our organisation is dedicated to fostering respectful, inclusive and culturally safe environments for Aboriginal People, and unfortunately, the actions and decisions taken by the Melbourne Storm Board have compromised these principles,' VAHS' statement read. Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy described the incident as "hurtful" given she wanted to honour her father, who was a veteran, by wearing his medals during the 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.'
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.
The Age
28-04-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Storm chairman ‘greatly upset' by Welcome to Country ‘miscommunication'
Melbourne Storm have taken responsibility for what they say was an internal miscommunication that meant the Welcome to Country for their Anzac Day clash at AAMI Park was cancelled at the last minute, a situation that has left the chairman 'disappointed him beyond words'. Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy said she had been scheduled to perform the service at AAMI Park last Friday night before the Storm's clash with the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Performances from First Nations groups were also planned. But as other Indigenous performers rehearsed on the field, Murphy said she was told by the club's board that it no longer wanted her to conduct the Welcome to Country. The two other First Nations groups refused to continue their performances as a result. Storm chairman Matt Tripp said his club had to repair relationships with its Indigenous and First Nations supporter base. 'It has disappointed me beyond words,' Tripp told this masthead. '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.'
Sydney Morning Herald
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Storm chairman ‘greatly upset' by Welcome to Country ‘miscommunication'
Melbourne Storm have taken responsibility for what they say was an internal miscommunication that meant the Welcome to Country for their Anzac Day clash at AAMI Park was cancelled at the last minute, a situation that has left the chairman 'disappointed him beyond words'. Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy said she had been scheduled to perform the service at AAMI Park last Friday night before the Storm's clash with the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Performances from First Nations groups were also planned. But as other Indigenous performers rehearsed on the field, Murphy said she was told by the club's board that it no longer wanted her to conduct the Welcome to Country. The two other First Nations groups refused to continue their performances as a result. Storm chairman Matt Tripp said his club had to repair relationships with its Indigenous and First Nations supporter base. 'It has disappointed me beyond words,' Tripp told this masthead. '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.'
Sky News AU
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Sky News AU
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."
