Aunty Joy Murphy hits out at Barack Obama event organisers after being dropped from the Melbourne speaking event

Aunty Joy Murphy will perform a Welcome to Country at a lunch with former US president Barack Obama in Melbourne, after she was dropped from his speaking event.

The organisers of Barack Obama’s Melbourne speaking tour have apologised to Aunty Joy Murphy after she was controversially dumped from the former president’s event on Wednesday night.

Senior Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy had been booked to perform a “welcome to country” for the former president’s speaking event scheduled for John Cain Arena tonight.

But Aunty Joy said she was removed from the proceedings for being “too difficult” after she asked for a support person and wanted to give Mr Obama a gift.

She said she was also stopped from performing traditional cultural protocols at a business lunch with Mr Obama on Thursday.

Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy says she was removed from the proceedings for being ‘too difficult’. Picture: Getty

“I have been shocked and distressed by the way I have been treated by event organisers,” Aunty Joy said.

“I am 78 years of age. I have never been treated or spoken to in this way in the past.”

“I do not want this to be a reflection on President Obama.

I am a leader of the Wurundjeri Nation. I asked to be treated as an equal.”

In a statement, the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Cultural Heritage Corporation said the action of event organiser the Growth Faculty was “a deep offence to the Wurundjeri people and to all First Nations people”.

“Welcome to Country protocols are our traditional law and practice that have been used to welcome and offer protection to our guests on Wurundjeri lands for millennia,” the statement said.

“Aunty Joy Murphy has welcomed dignitaries of the highest level to Wurundjeri Country, including the Queen, Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama.”

“She has had the honour and the responsibility as the senior Aboriginal elder of the Wurundjeri people to welcome people to our country for over 40 years.”

The corporation said the Wurundjeri people were saddened that they couldn’t welcome Mr Obama to their lands.

Aunty Joy says she wanted to give Barack Obama a gift. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“This has caused grief that the community will be left to deal with long after Mr Obama has left Australia,” the statement said.

On Wednesday night Wurundjeri woman and Melbourne artist Mandy Nicholson performed the welcome to country in Aunty Joy’s place.

She was accompanied by six other women who performed three ceremonial dances before Mr Obama took the stage.

Last week, Wurundjeri corporation acting CEO Donald Betts called on Mr Obama to pay his respects to local Indigenous people by visiting the Corranderk Aboriginal reserve in Healesville,

Mr Betts, a former US state senator who knew the former president, said the gesture would set a precedent for other dignitaries visiting Victoria.

Mr Obama, who flew in on a private jet, is potentially in line for a $1m payday from speaking events held in Sydney and Melbourne, with ticket prices from $195.

Event organiser Growth Faculty said it held deep respect for Australia’s Traditional Owners and was proud to be hosting events this week on the lands of the Wurundjeri people.

“Growth Faculty had been working with Aunty Joy and the Wurundjeri community for many weeks ahead of last night’s event,” a statement said.

Wurundjeri-Willam woman, Mandy Nicholson, delivered last night’s welcome to country, a statement said. Picture: Josie Hayden

“Due to security requirements, the organisation was unable to accommodate last minute changes to the agreed upon ceremony.”

“Growth Faculty has apologised to Aunty Joy that last night’s ceremony could not be changed.”

“Aunty Joy has accepted Growth Faculty’s invitation to perform welcome to country at a business lunch taking place in Melbourne today.”

The statement said that Wurundjeri-Willam woman, Mandy Nicholson, delivered last night’s welcome to country alongside a performance by the Djirri-Djirri dancers.

Aunty Joy said she had accepted the apology and was pleased to “receive” Mr Obama “on behalf of my people” at the business event.

“Although it saddens me to think that I had to go through the events of Wednesday, I’m happy that Aboriginal culture has been given appropriate recognition,” she said.

“I will stand strong and tall for First Nations people across the country and the world.”

“I hope that this meeting with Obama helps to achieve healing and change.”

Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation acting CEO Donald Betts said Aunty Joy’s experience was a reminder to engage in a meaningful two-way relationship with First Nations people.

Aunty Joy said she had accepted the apology. Picture: Ian Currie

“Wurundjeri elders are very generous with their time and share their culture with the

community to ensure dignitaries and events are safe and follow the appropriate protocols,” he said.

“This should be a reciprocal relationship, not a box to tick.”

Acting Premier Jacinta Allan said it was “entirely appropriate” for organisers of Barack Obama’s speaking tour to apologise to Aunty Joy.

“Aunty Joy is a wonderful Victorian. It’s an absolute joy watching her perform the Welcome to Country,” she said.

“It is concerning to hear that she is in some distress as to what went on. It’s absolutely appropriate that the organisers have apologised.

“We send Aunty Joy our best wishes because she is such a wonderful, wonderful representative of our city and state.”

Ms Allan, who attended the speaking event on Wednesday night, said she was moved by President Obama’s speech.

Meanwhile, another Wurundjeri elder, Ian Hunter, has disputed the right of women to conduct welcome to country ceremonies.

“We had a patrilineal society when only men owned country, and therefore only men can do welcome to country,” he said.

Mr Hunter has no official role with the Wurundjeri corporation, however, his ancestors include 19th century Aboriginal leader Bebejan.