Melbourne Storm Apologises for Cancellation of Welcome to Country Ceremony on Anzac Day

The Melbourne Storm has issued an apology for the last-minute cancellation of a Welcome to Country ceremony that was scheduled to take place before its Anzac Day match. The ceremony, which was intended to honor the Wurundjeri people, was not held despite Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin being present at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium to perform it.

The club stated at the time that the decision was made because the board had not approved the ceremony for Anzac Day. This decision came hours after Bunurong and Gunditjmara elder Uncle Mark Brown faced booing and heckling during the dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance, an incident that added to the tension surrounding the event.

Aunty Joy expressed disappointment over the cancellation, stating that she was unsure whether she could continue working with the club in the future. She emphasized that the ceremony was not only a cultural event but also a meaningful gesture of respect and acknowledgment.

The Melbourne Storm later clarified that its decision was not directly related to the booing incident but acknowledged the sensitivity of the situation. In a statement released on the eve of the NRL’s Indigenous Round, the club extended its apologies to the Wurundjeri community and other First Nations, Māori, and Pasifika communities affected by the incident.

While no Welcome to Country ceremony will be held before the Indigenous Round match against Brisbane, an Acknowledgement of Country will be conducted instead. The club emphasized that this change was made out of respect and in response to ongoing dialogue with the local community about cultural protocols and connection to the land.

The incident has sparked broader conversations about the importance of cultural recognition in sports and the need for clubs to engage more thoughtfully with Indigenous communities. Many have called for greater understanding and respect for the significance of these ceremonies, particularly on days of national remembrance such as Anzac Day.

As the NRL continues to explore ways to better integrate Indigenous culture into its events, the Melbourne Storm’s apology marks an important step in addressing the concerns raised by the Wurundjeri community and other Indigenous groups.