Public officials were reportedly asked to remove their shoes and wiggle their toes during a welcome to the country.
Employees from the Queensland Department of Justice and the Attorney General’s office in Brisbane recently attended an awards ceremony that began with recognition of the country.
They were asked to take off their shoes, wiggle their toes and close their eyes to feel more in tune with the earth, the study reported. mail.
It reportedly attracted attention and some staff members wondered if it would become a regular occurrence.
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice and the Attorney General confirmed that the event recognized the country.
Employees from the Queensland Department of Justice and the Attorney General’s office in Brisbane (pictured below) recently attended an awards ceremony that began with a recognition of the country (file image above).
Staff were told that to feel more in tune with the earth they should take off their shoes, wiggle their toes, and close their eyes.
The spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: “Welcoming to the country or recognition of the country takes place at appropriate events organized by the government, including awards ceremonies and conferences.”
‘They can take many forms and often differ, depending on the nature of the event and the presenter. For example, a welcome to country may encompass singing, dancing or smoking ceremonies.’
It comes at a time of increased scrutiny of Welcome to Country’s performance in the corporate environment.
Last week, an Australian applying for a The customer service position at an insurance company was shocked after the hiring manager opened the interview with Welcome to the country.
The applicant shared the “bizarre” experience on Reddit, saying the Brisbane-based company’s hiring manager “took it upon himself” to perform a welcome to the country at the beginning of a “very small” group interview with fewer than five candidates .
“I wanted to get other people’s opinions on this because I thought it was Australian corporate culture at its peak,” the candidate wrote.
“At the time I didn’t think twice about it, but in hindsight it’s quite strange and unnecessary.
“I understand that companies do this for large/important meetings with senior management, but in a job interview it just seemed useless to me.”
A welcome to country can only be delivered by traditional owners or custodians of the land on which the event is taking place.
It is usually performed by a local Aboriginal elder to acknowledge and consent to events taking place on traditional lands.
If a traditional owner is not available to deliver the Welcome to Country, an Acknowledgment of Country may be delivered instead.
A welcome to country can only be delivered by traditional owners or custodians of the land on which the event is taking place.
It is usually performed by a local Aboriginal elder to acknowledge and consent to events taking place on traditional lands.
If a traditional owner is not available to welcome you to country, an acknowledgment of country can be delivered instead.