- Welcome to the Country has been a divisive topic in recent months
- He attracted criticism during the AFL final
- Detractors slam old man who delivered ceremony at NRL decider
Football fans accused an Aboriginal elder of being ‘targeted’ in an attack on the welcome to country ceremony held at the 2024 NRL Grand Final.
Indigenous elder Julie Jones and proud Dharug woman performed the ceremony.
“I would like to pay my respects to my ancestors and elders and extend that respect to everyone present here tonight,” he said.
‘These are our traditional lands. Traditional country of our mothers, fathers, grandparents and ancestors who have walked singing and dancing through this land since the beginning of our stay here.
‘Thank you for walking with us and strengthening the spirit of the country. In the name of the spirit of the country.
‘On behalf of the Wangal people and the wider Dharug community, thank you for bringing the spirit and stories from your hearts and embedding them here in this beautiful country that we are so honored to share with all who call it home.
Thank you. Welcome. Have an amazing night.’
The crowd politely applauded the ceremony and there were positive comments online.
“Well, that was one of the best welcomes to the country I’ve ever heard,” said one soccer fan.
“Beautiful welcome to the country in the grand final,” added another.
Aunty Julie Jones welcomes the country at the 2024 NRL Grand Final
The large crowd applauded the ceremony but harshly criticized Aunt Julie on social media.
But many others criticized the ceremony and accused the Indigenous Elder of being “white.”
‘Here’s Aboriginal “Aunt Julie” performing Welcome to Country in the NRL grand final. Pretty white for an Aboriginal. How much did they pay you for this farce? asked a fan.
‘Blonde and white person welcoming the country. Jokes over. Can we get on with this?’ questioned another.
“Welcome to the country from the whitest person in the stadium,” another fan posted.
These white scammers are becoming a joke! Let a real First Nations person welcome the country,” another added.
Welcome to Country has become a divisive issue in recent years, with a ceremony held at the recent AFL finals sparking backlash.
Sydney Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council cultural educator Brendan Kerin sparked backlash after saying the ceremonies were “not for white people”.
It soon became one of the most popular topics on social media as Australians expressed their disapproval of Kerin’s comments.
There was further criticism in the AFL Grand Final despite a relatively benign speech from Uncle Colin Hunter in the decider between the Sydney Swans and the Brisbane Lions.
Their ceremony attracted huge applause, but there were also boos at the MCG.
“Welcoming the country at the AFL grand final is exactly how you further divide Australians at an event that should bring people together,” one viewer said.
It’s an issue that has spread outside of sport, with Channel Nine’s Married At First Sight star Dean Wells recently taking offense to a welcome-to-the-country speech at the end of a domestic Jetstar flight.
“I don’t need to be ‘welcome’ to my own country,” he fumed.
Uncle Colin Hunter gave a measured welcome to the country at the AFL grand final but still attracted boos and criticism online.
Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price says Australia has become saturated with welcoming ceremonies
Another Australian said he was surprised a welcome-to-country ceremony had been booked before his Pilates lesson.
“I’m all for welcoming the country,” he said.
“But I think when you have the same people in classes every day, you’re welcome.”
This has led many to question whether welcome-to-country ceremonies were being abused.
Indigenous senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price said Australia was “saturated” with it, which was “eliminating the sacredness of certain traditional cultures and practices”.
‘It has almost become a throwaway phrase. We don’t want to see all these symbolic gestures. “We want to see real action,” he said.
