- Aunty Joy Murphy released angry statement about Storm
Aboriginal elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin has issued a furious statement accusing the Melbourne Storm of being associated with a lobby group that ‘incites racial vilification and division’.
Aunty Joy said the ties between a Storm board member and the Advance Australia group mean Victoria’s Wurundjeri people will no longer be involved in functions or cultural work with the club, such as Welcome to Country ceremonies.
The high-profile elder delivered the statement just after the team apologised for abruptly cancelling a planned Welcome ceremony on Anzac Day this year – and announced the team will hold an Acknowledgement of Country instead of a Welcome when they play Brisbane on Thursday night to begin the NRL’s Indigenous Round.
Unlike Welcomes to Country, Acknowledgements can be performed by non-Indigenous people.
Aunty Joy’s broadside at the club came after it was revealed Storm board member Brett Ralph had donated $175,000 to Advance Australia through his JMR Management Consultancy Services company.
Advance Australia campaigned against the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum, supports Aboriginal politicians Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Warren Mundine, and stands against what it calls ‘out-of-control’ immigration policies.
Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin (pictured) has lashed out at the Melbourne Storm over a board member’s connections to a lobby group she has accused of inciting racial vilification
Aunty Joy was meant to perform a Welcome to Country ceremony at the Storm’s Anzac Day match this year (pictured) before it was abruptly cancelled
Storm chairman Matt Tripp (pictured) said the cancellation was due to the board not formally approving the ceremony – but one Indigenous group claimed the club pulled the pin due to the booing of another Indigenous elder at a dawn service in Melbourne
‘I carry a deep responsibility to community and will not compromise my integrity as a proud Aboriginal woman and community Elder,’ Aunty Joy said.
‘We cannot support an organisation that has associations with any group that incites racial vilification and division.
‘We are willing to continue to work with Melbourne Storm to address the deep community concerns but cannot endorse any official functions or cultural work until measures are put in place to ensure cultural respect and safety for all.’
Djirri Djirri dance group member Ky-Ya Nicholson – who was due to perform at the Anzac Day match before the cancellation of the Welcome – said the troupe has cut ties with the club.
‘Our decision to end our long-standing relationship with Melbourne Storm comes as a result of the disrespect shown towards Aunty Joy on Anzac Day, which was a lost opportunity to honour her veteran father and First Peoples servicemen and women who fought alongside Australian soldiers,’ she said.
‘We as a community feel very disrespected by the actions of Melbourne Storm’s board, as a Welcome to Country ceremony is a tradition of unity and goodwill … this shows their tokenistic approach and lack of understanding to this symbol of unity.’
Aunty Joy said she will still attend the match against the Broncos to show support for the players, but added, ‘Board members cannot support organisations that create harm to our people.’
Aunty Joy (pictured performing a Welcome to Country at the Australian Open tennis) made her statement after the Storm finally apologised for the cancellation on Tuesday
The Storm will hold an Acknowledgement of Country – which can be performed by a non-First Nations person – instead of a Welcome when they kick off the NRL’s Indigenous Round against Brisbane on Thursday night
The Daily Mail has contacted Advance Australia for comment.
Storm chairman Matt Tripp said the Anzac Day ceremony did not go ahead because it was not formally approved by the club’s board.
However, the Djirri Djirri dance group claimed they were told that the Welcome to Country was cancelled by the board because of the booing of Uncle Mark Brown at the Anzac Dawn Service in Melbourne.
Aunty Joy said she was left heartbroken and distressed by the dropping of the Welcome, which resulted in the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service cancelling its campaign with the team.
In a statement, VAHS said the cancellation showed ‘a lack of respect and cultural sensitivity towards Aboriginal people.’
The Storm released the following apology for the cancellation on Tuesday.
‘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 Club extends that apology to First Nations and Māori 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.’
