Wednesday, October 9

Dean Wells, a former participant of the reality TV show Married At First Sight, criticized Jetstar after they showed a misleading advertisement about the country on a flight from Sydney.

According to Wells, the ceremony was carried out when the plane landed in Ballina, NSW.

If Australia was originally occupied by Aboriginal groups, then there likely would have been violent conflicts over the region’s land.

Europeans feel guilty because their ancestors established a new society in the country, and there were also unsavoury incidents.

During that time, the world was different. I respect Aboriginal culture, but it’s also important to remember the positive contributions that Europeans have made to the country.

Wells claims that as a white man from the area, he would feel unwelcome at the ceremonies held by Aboriginal groups.

The people of Australia have created a unique culture which should be celebrated. The country is prosperous and safe.

According to Wells, being Australian is more than skin color. It’s also about being appreciated and treasured.

Being able to be born in Australia is a privilege that Wells is grateful for. He also stated that he would like to see more people take the same attitude and protect the country’s culture and lifestyle.

On Tuesday, he took to Instagram to share a story about how he was able to get on a plane after arriving at the airport a few minutes before the scheduled departure time.

He then tagged Qantas subsidiary Jetstar once more. He claimed that he could have done without the welcoming gesture that was displayed in the plane’s cabin.

He stated that he doesn’t need to be welcomed in the country. In 2021, Qantas and the budget carrier began offering messages of appreciation to the First Nations on flights.

The purpose of the ceremony is to recognize the cultural significance of Aboriginal groups and clans as the original inhabitants of the region.

It was performed during an Australian Football League match between the Brisbane Lions and the GWS Giants on September 14. Before the ceremony was carried out, Brendan Kerin, a cultural educator, called for an end to the welcoming gesture.

Kerin explained that the welcoming gesture is not a ceremony that was invented to cater to white people. Instead, it’s a tradition that has been carried out for thousands of years.

The BC stands for “before Cook,” referring to Captain James Cook, who first recorded contact with Australian soil in 1770.

The welcoming gesture has caused a debate in Australia. Many people criticized the ceremony on social media.

One person called it a joke while another stated that it has led to the country’s downfall. 

4 Comments

  1. The second nations (the first were cannabalised according to research I read), should be thanking the later settlers for the progress (roads, hospitals, education, electricity, water on tap etc.), peace (eventually), and culture they brought that enabled the warring nations to leave the bush, oh yes, don’t forget fast foods!

  2. The ‘Welcome’ issue can only be regarded as divisive – for it is patently aboriginal in content, purpose and promotion. It is not surprising that many non-aboriginal Australians regard it as disloyal, and discordant with the 21st. c intent upon cementing a cohesive, inclusive, multicultural Australian society. There will inevitably be those who regard this issue as purposefully setting-out to be alienating, indeed virtually bordering on schismatic. How much more sincere and inclusive it might have been had it been worded thus – ‘ALL Australian citizens extend a warm welcome to Australia – which is a land inhabited by those from culturally disparate origins they call – home’.

  3. MARIA GODWICH on

    I migrated to Australia in 1982 and was welcomed at that time by the Australian government who granted me permanent residency. 42 years ago there was nothing like today’s ‘acknowlegments’, smoking or welcome to the country’ … those things are the latest ‘inventions’ that, frankly, get on my nerves. They are so iritating that turn me off from attending cultural events …

  4. “Welcome to Country” is an absolute farce being dumped on all proud AUSTRALIANS whose country IS AUSTRALIA. When I was born there BEFORE the likes of Brendan Kerin I think he should be asking me IF I WELCOME HIM TO MY COUNTRY. Bet he doesn’t.

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