The Melbourne Storm’s recent decision to cancel its Anzac Day Welcome to Country ceremony has sparked significant backlash, resulting in the withdrawal of support from a key sponsor, the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS). The VAHS condemned the cancellation as a demonstration of “a lack of respect and cultural sensitivity towards Aboriginal people”, highlighting the detrimental effects on Aboriginal communities.
The VAHS’s sponsorship was linked to the Storm’s Deadly Choices initiative, aimed at promoting health within the Indigenous community and facilitating local Indigenous participation in club activities. Their withdrawal is immediate and directly connected to the Storm’s choice to cancel the ceremony traditionally performed by Aunty Joy and the Djirri Djirri dancers, stating that this decision had a profoundly negative impact on the Wurundjeri People and further ripples of hurt felt across the wider Aboriginal community.
The cancellation followed an incident of booing during a dawn service in Melbourne, which seems to have influenced the board’s choice. VAHS expressed that such actions are inconsistent with their values of respect and cultural safety, leading to sadness and anger among their stakeholders. The Storm’s administration has acknowledged that the decision has unsettled the community, as the cancellation conflicts with the principles of cultural recognition and integrity.
Storm chairman Matt Tripp has publicly expressed his disappointment and concern over the situation. He remarked that he felt greatly upset by the handling of the event, emphasizing the importance of protecting diverse cultures within the club and its supporter base. He acknowledged a miscommunication that led to the cancellation, stating it inaccurately portrayed the club as insensitive to Indigenous customs and values, which he deeply regrets.
The Storm now faces a challenging situation as they prepare to play the Wests Tigers at AAMI Park, amidst the fallout from this considerable misstep in cultural engagement. The future of this relationship with the VAHS and the broader Aboriginal community remains uncertain as the Storm grapples with the consequences of their decision.