Melbourne Storm apologise to First Nations communities over cancelled Welcome to Country on Anzac Day

Melbourne Storm have apologised to First Nations communities over the events of Anzac Day when the NRL club’s Welcome to Country ceremony was cancelled at the last minute.

The Storm said it had been in ongoing communication with members of the Wurundjeri community since April 25, when the ceremony that had been slated to take place before the match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs was cancelled, causing distress among Indigenous communities.

In the days that followed, the Storm took responsibility for what they said was an internal miscommunication that meant the Welcome to Country ceremony at AAMI Park was cancelled at the last minute, a situation that left the club’s chairman disappointed “beyond words”.

Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy was scheduled to perform the service. Performances from First Nations groups were also planned.

The Storm said on Monday they will have an Acknowledgement of Country before Thursday night’s clash against Brisbane Broncos, part of the NRL’s Indigenous Round.

“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,” the Storm said in a statement.

“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.”

Three months ago Storm chairman Matt Tripp said his club had to repair relationships with its Indigenous and First Nations supporter base.