Neo-Nazi among hecklers who booed, disrupted solemn Anzac Dawn Service at Shrine of Remembrance
Neo-Nazi Jacob Hersant has led a group of hecklers who booed during a Welcome to Country while tens of thousands of Victorians gathered at the Shrine of Remembrance to pay tribute to generations of Australian servicemen and women.
Victoria
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Tens of thousands of people have turned out for the Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance to pay tribute to the men and women who have served or paid the ultimate sacrifice for their nation.
People gathered in the pre-dawn gloom, shuffling into place behind the barriers, on the forecourt and on the grass around the revered monument.
Indigenous leader uncle Mark Brown was booed as he gave a Welcome to Country.
Multiple attendees could also be heard yelling “this is our country”.
“I extend my welcome to my people’s country,” Mr Brown said.
“It’s our country,” someone yelled.
“We don’t have to be welcomed,” screamed another.
More booing and abuse emerged when Governor Margaret Gardner acknowledged the traditional land owners while giving the official Anzac Day address.
“How many more? This is shit,” one man called.
A woman then replied “always was, always will be” to a smattering of applause.
Booing continued when MC Justin Smith made his opening marks and acknowledge First Nations people including those who had served. “We’re here for the Australians,” one man shouted.
One of the men shouting out abuse was known neo Nazi Jacob Hersant who was later spoken to by police.
Mr Hersant was escorted from the site by police. And shouted “traitor” to an ex-serviceman.
His supporters shouted “hail to Ned Kelly” and “death to the pigs” as they left towards St Kilda Rd.
Victoria Police later issued a statement regarding the “small group of people” disrupting the Dawn Service.
“Police identified a 26-year-old man from Kensington in relation to the behaviour.
“He has subsequently been interviewed for offensive behaviour and police will proceed via summons.
“The male has been directed to leave the Shrine of Remembrance.’’
Federal Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh said it was “completely inappropriate and disgusting” to see that sort of behaviour at an Anzac Day service.
Mr Keogh said Anzac Day commemorations were supposed to be a time of solemn respect and commemoration.
“What we saw occur there is, frankly, disgraceful,” he told ABC.
“That booing was led by someone who’s a known neo-Nazi, and frankly, when we come together to commemorate on Anzac Day, we’re commemorating some of those soldiers who fell in a war that was fought against that sort of hateful ideology.
“It was completely disrespectful, and is not something that’s welcome at Anzac Day commemorations ever.”
Mr Keogh told Sky News it was not mandatory for people to attend the services, and that it was “concerning” that those who did did not show due respect.
“It’s expected that people who attend Anzac Day commemorations do so respectfully,” he said.
The RSL on Friday condemned the booing.
“RSL Victoria and the ANZAC Commemoration Council are saddened and disappointed at the actions of a tiny minority at today’s Dawn Service and express sincere apologies to Uncle Mark Brown and the Bunurong people,” a statement said.
Dr Robert Webster, president RSL Victoria said: “The actions of a handful were completely disrespectful to the Aboriginal community, veterans, and the spirit of ANZAC Day.
“In response, the spontaneous applause from the 50,000-strong crowd attending the service drowned out those who disrupted, and showed the respect befitting of the occasion.”
Premier Jacinta Allan called out the hecklers’ “complete lack of respect” and slammed Mr Hersant for the “hateful disruption”.
“A neo-Nazi disrupting this day is appalling — it has no place here,” she said.
“Anzac Day honours the values our Anzacs lived and died for: courage, loyalty, mateship, and sacrifice.
“Those who booed in the dark showed they have none of these qualities.”
Ms Allan said to “pierce the sombre silence of the Dawn Service is more than disrespect” and dishonours all those who have served.
“And to boo the Aboriginal servicemen and women who served our nation shows ignorance, hatred, and a complete lack of respect — for them, and for everything Anzac Day stands for,” she said.
Respectful peace during minute’s silence
Later, thousands bowed their heads and paused for a moment’s silence.
Looming showers passed by as the ceremony was held in mild conditions.
The 6am service began with the sounding of the Long G, an echo of when soldiers prepare for battle.
Then those poignant words from the Ode of Remembrance, starting with the heart-rending reminder: Age shall not weary them.
Many attendees recited or mouthed the verse, delivered by outgoing RSL Victoria president Robert Webster.
And most voiced their final commitment: We shall remember them.
The Last Post followed, the bugler’s final notes sitting heavy on the morning air.
The minute’s silence was just that, a respectful quiet.
This year’s service marked 110 years since the Gallipoli campaign when the Anzac legend was forged, and 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
Services are also being held at about 300 RSL sub-branches in suburbs and towns through Victoria.
Governor Margaret Gardner delivered the Anzac Day address and later laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Victoria inside the Shrine.
Similar ceremonies were held around the state.
A time to remember
Julia Urwin’s father never spoke about his experience serving in the Air Force in World War II.
“He was a reserved man,” she said.
“We know something happened to him, but we don’t know what.”
Attending the Anzac Day Dawn Service was a time to remember his sacrifice, and stand in solidarity with other children of war veterans, she said.
For her, the service functioned as a message in a bottle – a space in which to share and record stories to ensure their survival into the future.
“We need to hear those stories and record them before they’re forgotten,” she said.
“Even if what happened wasn’t perfect, they’re so important to the history of Australia.”
While more needed to be shared about the contributions of female servicemen to Australia’s wartime history, Ms Urwin was uplifted by a new wave of younger faces in Friday’s crowds.
Among them was 10-year-old Elizabeth Shao.
The year five Huntingtower School student attends the Dawn Service with her mother every year.
She said it was important to pay her respects to those who “sacrificed their lives for her freedom”.
“I think people should always commemorate it,” she said.
“You don’t have to come to the Anzac Day Dawn Service but it’s important to spend a little bit of time to think about what they did for us.”
It was a sentiment shared by veteran and Shrine of Remembrance volunteer and veteran Phil Marshman.
Mr Marshman served in Somalia in 1993 and again in East Timor in 2001, spending six months in each conflict.
He returned to Australia and worked at the Victoria Barracks before taking up his volunteer position, hoping to educate people about the significance of Melbourne’s Shrine.
“The shrine is very special here in Victoria, and we’re trying to pass on knowledge about it,” he said.
“It was paid for by donation, and I find it’s very meaningful to be a volunteer here.”
Anzac Day brought up a lot of memories of his 23 years in service he said, but above all was “a good time to get together”.
“It’s important to enjoy being here and to not forget those who have gone before us,” she said.
“It’s great to see the number of people that have turned up.”
An estimated 50,000 people attended Friday’s Dawn Service – 10,000 more than last year.
Despite occasionally ugly scenes, the service was a largely solemn affair, with RSL Victoria President Robert Webster OAM saying he was uplifted by the boost in numbers.
“Sub branches indicated regional attendance was increased with holiday markers leaving the city for the long weekend,” he said.
It is hoped up to 10,000 people will participate in this year’s march, due to commence at 9.30am.
Originally published as Neo-Nazi among hecklers who booed, disrupted solemn Anzac Dawn Service at Shrine of Remembrance
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