What you said about Welcome to Country ceremonies after Anzac Day booing reignites debate

Debate around Welcome to Country ceremonies has flared after one was booed on Anzac Day, with Queenslanders sharing their views on what they mean and when they should be held. WHAT YOU SAID

A Welcome to Country being performed at the Gabba in Brisbane. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The regularity of Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country has ignited significant debate in recent days, after an Indigenous leader was booed as he gave a Welcome to Country at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne on Anzac Day.

The outrage sparked after known neo-Nazi Jacob Hersant booed elder uncle Mark Brown during a Welcome to Country at a Melbourne Dawn Service.

In the aftermath of the outburst, the Welcome to Country ceremony for a match between the Melbourne Storm and South Sydney Rabbitohs in Melbourne on Anzac Day was cancelled at the last minute. The club said it was a “miscommunication”.

As questions are raised over Welcome to Country at NRL Magic Round in Brisbane this weekend, an NRL spokesman advised that the organisers of the rugby league competition were “not able to share” details of what days, if any, the ceremonies were planned for, but the head of one of the organisations involved in bringing Magic Round to Brisbane said they had a place at NRL’s showpiece event.

WHAT YOU SAID

‘Tip of the divisive iceberg’

Robert

WTC has created a frenzy. It is but the tip of the divisive iceberg being driven by woke leftists. Albanese poured fuel on this fire by pushing through with the voice referendum. Australians have had a gutful of the continued erosion of Australia’s history, and freedoms. Stealthy land grabs, closures of national parks, name changes to places, and even packets of cheese. Enough is enough, stop the division, it has gone on for far too long.

Ozi

I will not be welcomed to my own Country. We are all Australians together.

Therese

Stop this divisive welcome to country, we are one people under the constitution living in the best country in the world.

Anthony

I have parents, grandparents and both great and great great grand parents buried in this country. I find it offensive to be welcomed to my country.

Richard

I used to work for a Qld government department. When we met for regional meetings, EVERY speaker seemed to do an acknowledgement of country. In my view it was bordering on disrespectful – particularly when a first nation’s person started the day’s meeting with the ceremony.

Pamela

I’m opposed to racial division within Australia and WTC is very divisive. I’m also opposed to the ABC always announcing the names of our country’s cities and other places with their Aboriginal names.

‘It’s a matter of choice’

John from Northgate

For mine, Shannon Ruska does a great job welcoming people to Jagera country at big sports events in Brisbane. He’s not welcoming people to Australia. What is a symbolic recognition of the place where we all gather has become a political football. As a lot have said, it’s a matter of choice.

Melinda

A different take could be the indigenous of that particular area are welcoming all to that part of our region. The word country has a more spiritual meaning opposed to our land Australia as a whole. Just like if we walk into a religious place we’re welcomed through prayer. There are times and places just like our national anthem, of course, but I enjoy indigenous elders paying their respects, welcoming all and telling the story of that region from time gone by.

Adrian

In principle, I don’t mind unpaid WTC on appropriate days of national significance. Trouble is, it is not easy to identify such days. One could be the opening of parliament. Conversely, Australia Day and Anzac Day would be inappropriate, in my view.

Saying It As It Is

A Welcome to Country is appropriate at the start of major public events — like official ceremonies, government functions, conferences, or significant gatherings — when held on Indigenous land, and delivered by a local Indigenous Elder or representative. It’s a formal act of respect acknowledging traditional owners and their spiritual connection to the land. Welcome to Country is not meant for routine daily activities like: every local sports match, walking into a shopping centre, or boarding a domestic flight. Using it constantly like that cheapens its meaning and turns a sacred protocol into background noise. It has become politicised with Albanese’s woeful attempts introduce the Voice to parliament and tore away its very heart and purpose. It should remain a respectful, special gesture — not a scripted announcement for everything.

Stevo

Can we please keep the WTC for significant events where the ceremony is relevant. It should not be held at any event that is not at a national or international level. Club football matches do not make the grade.

‘What harm does WTC cause?’

Ian

Really, what harm does WTC cause? Seems that we have a desperate need to be offended. It’s like an addiction that has to be fixed.

calam

Wtc is not a divisive ceremony, it is an inclusive ceremony ... how can it be divisive when it’s traditionally done between indigenous groups.. its only divisive because people don’t understand what it means... it doesn’t matter how many times its explained certain groups of people will never get it, they don't want to get it.... an organisation should have a choice and not be vilified for it... Neo Nazis hijacked the debate and they must be feeling justified by the public reaction... Politicians have used it as a policy for votes.... a sad outcome

Ian

Once again Australia shows the world what a racist country we really are.

Andrew

Dutton can’t win on personal popularity or policies, so he’s left with playing the race card. It’s desperation politics. The fact that welcome to country is now the only talking point of the election is sad for democracy.

Bruce

Why are some people so afraid of the welcome to Country? It’s a small ceremony that is showing a respect to the First National People.

Has never really bothered me. I think there are bigger issues facing the country I’m afraid.