Melbourne Storm apologises for cancelling Welcome to Country ceremony on Anzac Day

The ceremony was axed in April just hours before the Storm played South Sydney.

Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy and women’s dance group Djirri Djirri were to take part in the traditional ceremony at AAMI Park but were informed they would not be required.

Other First Nations groups scheduled to take part on the day then refused to perform.

In the days following, Murphy said she had been told that Melbourne’s board was hesitant about the Welcome to Country performance after elder Uncle Mark Brown was booed at a Dawn Service during a Shrine of Remembrance ceremony in Melbourne.

At the time, Melbourne chairman Matt Tripp said an “internal miscommunication” led to the ceremony being cancelled at the last minute.

On Monday, the club apologised over the incident and said an Acknowledgement of Country would be performed before the clash against the Brisbane Broncos at AAMI Park on Thursday night.

An Indigenous jersey to be worn on Thursday night will also be unveiled this week.

“Melbourne Storm has been in ongoing communication with members of the Wurundjeri community following the events on Anzac Day and has apologised to the individuals, groups and communities involved,” the statement said.

“The club extends that apology to First Nations and Maori and Pasifika communities impacted. As we continue to engage with the local community regarding connection to the club and cultural protocols and out of respect for those involved, the club will recognise the traditional owners of the land through an Acknowledgement of Country on Thursday night for Indigenous Round.

“Melbourne Storm is built on the strength of our many cultures, including our long-standing relationship with First Nations and Māori and Pasifika communities and we remain committed to ensuring our social and community programs continue to make a positive impact.”

Back in April, Murphy and the Djirri Djirri dance group had issued a joint statement expressing their hurt and dismay at Melbourne’s decision to axe the Welcome to Country ceremony.

The fallout had even further reverberations, with major partner Victorian Aboriginal Health Services (VAHS) ending its relationship with the club in May, citing a ‘lack of respect and cultural sensitivity.

“The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service has made the difficult decision to withdraw our partnership on the Deadly Choices campaign with Melbourne Storm, effective immediately,” the VAHS said.

“Our decision is directly related to the Melbourne Storm Board’s decision to cancel Aunty Joy’s Welcome to Country at the Anzac Day match. Storm vs. Rabbitohs.”

The club had announced a cultural planning review back in December last year to determine how the Acknowledgement to Country would be used during the 2025 season.

Originally published as Melbourne Storm apologises for cancelling Welcome to Country ceremony on Anzac Day