Elder hits out at Storm ‘No-vote’ connection
The NRL’s Indigenous Round this weekend has become embroiled in another Welcome to Country dispute after an Aboriginal elder condemned a Melbourne Storm director’s involvement with a lobby group that advocated a no vote at the Voice referendum.
Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin said she could not support an organisation that had associations with any group that “incites racial vilification and division”.
Storm director Brett Ralph is reported to have donated a six figure sum to Advance Australia via his JMR Management Consultancy Services company.
The club issued a statement earlier this week that said there had been ongoing communication with members of the Wurundjeri community following the events on ANZAC Day and has apologised to the individuals, groups, and communities involved.
“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.”
An acknowledgment to country is different to a welcome and can be conducted by a non-aboriginal person.
Aunty Joy has said she will attend the game but will not participate in any acknowledgment or be involved in functions at the club.
