A controversial TV star has expressed outrage over First Nations’ “Welcome to Country” aboard a Jetstar intrastate flight.
Dean Wells, who appeared on Channel Nine dating series Married At First Sight in 2018, flew from Sydney to Ballina in New South Wales on Tuesday morning to attend his uncle’s funeral.
While the former reality TV star claimed she had “no problems” with the airline and that her flight was a pleasant experience, she complained that the flight could have “done without” the welcome-to-the-country ceremony upon arrival.
“Despite all the complaints we have about airlines, I have to say that 99% of my flights go without a problem,” Dean wrote on his Instagram Story.
“Arrived at the airport to fly to my uncle’s funeral today about 40 minutes before the plane left and @jetstaraustralia had no problem for me on the plane.”
“I could have done without the ‘welcome to country’ when I arrived in Ballina, my family’s place of origin,” he added in another story.
“I don’t need to be ‘welcomed’ in my own country.”
Jetstar and Qantas implemented First Nations Country Acknowledgment messages on flights in 2021.
A controversial TV star expressed outrage over First Nations’ ‘Welcome to Country’ aboard a Jetstar flight from Sydney to Ballina, both located in New South Wales.
A Welcome to Country can only be performed by traditional owners or custodians of the land on which an event is taking place. In circumstances where a traditional owner is not available, a Country Survey can be made.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Jetstar for comment.
It comes after a young woman questioned why she is forced to take part in a Welcome to Country before every Pilates class.
Triple M producer Loren Barry said she didn’t understand why her workout sessions had to start with the ceremony.
Dean Wells, who appeared on Channel Nine dating series Married At First Sight in 2018, flew from Sydney to Ballina on Tuesday morning to attend his uncle’s funeral.
While the former reality TV star claimed she had “no problems” with the airline and that her flight was a pleasant experience, she complained that the flight could have “done without” the welcome-to-the-country ceremony upon arrival.
Barry was quick to point out that she supported welcoming the country, but questioned its frequency.
“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.”
2GB presenter Ben Fordham was left stunned after hearing their story on Friday, arguing they had “lost all meaning”.
“I am convinced that in a few years organizations will abandon this tradition because they have hit it so hard that it has lost all meaning,” he said.
‘Now, if it’s the first day of parliament of the year, welcome it.
‘If you have a special meeting, sure, go ahead and say welcome.
‘But don’t we need every speech to have one, don’t we need a welcome at the start of a Zoom meeting and a welcome to the country at the start of a Pilates class? Well, that’s just strange.
Fordham argued that Australians should not be afraid to share their thoughts on the ceremonies.
“We should be allowed to say it, the obsession with foster care has become something of an open joke,” he said.
“And, let’s be fair, sometimes it’s a little complicated.”
His comments come as the frequency of Welcome to Country ceremonies comes into focus.
Two homecoming ceremonies were held at separate AFL games throughout September, and both divided fans.
The first was awarded in the GWS Giants and Brisbane Lions semi-final on September 14, while the second was awarded in the Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions Grand Final on Saturday.
Uncle Colin Hunter’s welcome to the AFL Grand Final was widely praised, but Ben Fordham said the practice “kills the mood” at sporting events.
Uncle Colin Hunter hosted the ceremony at the MCG over the weekend with most fans applauding, although boos were also heard.
Fordham revealed his vehement distaste for the practices, saying they “suck the tension out of the air.”
“It’s a mood killer,” he said.
“The players run out onto the field, the crowd roars, tension fills the stadium and then you know what happens, we’ve all seen it, you make a speech that has nothing to do with football.”
“All it does is highlight a difference instead of saying we’re all a mob in football,” he said.
AFL boss Andrew Dillon has promised homecoming ceremonies are here to stay.
‘We will continue doing it, Welcome to the Homeland is for everyone,’ he stated.
‘We are an inclusive sport and we believe it sets the tone for the game. “It serves the game well, so we’ll continue to do it.”