A recent ceremony at the Hyde Park Anzac Memorial in Sydney has sparked a heated debate about the length and appropriateness of Welcome to Country addresses.
The 90th anniversary commemoration of the memorial featured a nine-minute Welcome to Country delivered by a Gadigal elder, which has left some attendees and radio hosts questioning its duration and content.
**What Happened at the Ceremony?**
The Welcome to Country included acknowledgments of the Stolen Generations, local land councils, and personal family stories. It also touched on themes such as bloodlines, respect, and the enduring significance of Aboriginal land. While the speaker did acknowledge her ancestors’ involvement in the war, some attendees felt that the address took away from the event’s purpose of honoring the Anzacs.
**Radio Host Speaks Out**
2GB’s Ben Fordham highlighted the length of the address during his program on Tuesday morning, saying that the duration and content of the Welcome to Country detracted from the event’s purpose. “It was meant to be about the Anzacs, but attendees had to sit through a nine-minute Welcome to Country,” Fordham said. “You don’t need nine minutes to welcome people.”
**Snippets of the Address Spark Debate**
Fordham played snippets of the address on his show, illustrating its progression minute by minute. Attendees heard lines such as, “You listen to the breeze because the breeze talks to you,” and, “My bloodline is here to stay. We’re not going anywhere.” While some found the address moving and respectful, others felt that it was excessive and self-indulgent.
**A Broader Conversation**
The incident has reignited conversations about the execution of Welcome to Country ceremonies across the country. Fordham pointed out that some attendees are already uneasy about being welcomed to their own country, and making them sit through nine long minutes is not going to help the cause. “Some attendees thought it was excessive and self-indulgent, many are already uneasy about being welcomed to their own country. Making them sit through nine long minutes is not going to help the cause,” he added.
**A Brief History of Welcome to Country Ceremonies**
Welcome to Country ceremonies were first performed in Australia in 1976. The ceremony has since become an important part of Australian cultural protocol, acknowledging the traditional owners of the land. However, its execution and length have been a subject of debate in recent years.
**What Do You Think?**
Was the nine-minute Welcome to Country address too long and excessive, or was it a necessary acknowledgment of the traditional owners of the land? Share your thoughts in the comments below!