Unrelenting racist hate within Australian communities

[Breakfast68]

Attended Dawn Service this morning and enjoyed it with other Indigenous Veterans. 

But, that’s where it stops being nice !!

For other racist Australians to heckle and boo a ceremony of Welcome to Country, is disgusting.What do Aboriginal people need to do just to get some respect ????? We have served our country, we continue to be proud of that service, but treated so poorly by other Australians. 
disgusted and heart broken 

[0ddsidian]

Oh my god @Breakfast68, that's horrifying! I'm so sorry you and the other First Nations veterans had to experience that. I can't even imagine what goes on in people's minds when they choose to be so disrespectful like that.

Do you want to talk / vent about it? I'm around for most of today ❤️

[Breakfast68]

Thanks so much @0ddsidian 

@Very much appreciated. 
Today is supposed to be about supporting ALL Australians about ANZAC Day, and yet our people were targeted in a planned way, encouraging others online to heckle and boo the Dawn Service.

Won’t be attending any RSL service from now on. 
They do nothing but protect the racist vitriol and hate speech, by allowing those to still stay there during the service. 

[0ddsidian]

@Breakfast68 I think I heard about the incident you're talking about on the radio just now. The gaul of the people who did that is just beyond my comprehension. I wonder if those people knew how many First Nations people served during the World Wars? Or since then? 😔

It's so unfair that you feel unsafe (physically / psychologically) at Dawn Service. You shouldn't have to feel like you can't be there. Are there any other services that you could go to?

[Magpie22]

@Breakfast68 

I am so sorry this has happened. To target First Nations people in such a hateful way is unacceptable. 
know that I and many others recognise and respect those Indigenous men and women that have served in the ADF. And also how important continuing connection to Country and culture are - First Nations people are the knowledge holders of so much of Australia’s story, including our military story.

I’m sending you strength and support and recognise how hurtful and painful this is.  

[RiverSeal]

Hey @Breakfast68, thanks for posting about this, and I agree it was really challenging being there and witnessing the booing from the crowd in Melbourne at the Shrine. It was heartwarming to hear so much support, and the majority of people there clapped in support of the Welcome to Country. There was a person close to me, and the other people around put them in their place in support of the welcome. That was lovely to see in response to the hecklers!

I read afterwards that the main people responsible were removed from the Shrine and asked to leave the Dawn Service. 

The Welcome to Country was probably the most passionate and well-delivered welcome I have witnessed. Uncle Mark Brown stayed composed and held his ground with dignitiy and strength. 

Sorry this has put a dampner on such a special day for you and the Forums stands with you!

Take care 

RiverSeal 

[RiverSeal]

Hey @Breakfast68, I just saw this address from the PM and thought you might appreciate it if you haven't seen it already https://www.9news.com.au/national/anzac-day-2025-booing-mars-melbourne-dawn-service/62ef6c81-358b-4b...

Take care 

RiverSeal

[Azalea]

@Breakfast68 I’m sorry these peoples actions have hurt you and affected your feelings toward attending ceremonies, however I want to point out that everyone was respectful and accepting of the welcome to country at every other services that went on in Australia today. For some of us the welcome to country is just a normal part of proceedings these days, and school age children are used to it and understanding of why it’s a thing.

I saw a friend posted about the Bulldogs Broncos ANZAC match last night, they had the Aboriginal and Torres Strait flags alongside the Australian and New Zealand flags too and everyone in the comments section were very supportive of that.

Unfortunately there will always be negative people, but as someone else commented below the hecklers at the Shrine were pulled up by others attending and were removed from the service.

Please consider the positive and supportive people and don’t let the negative ones ruin your experience. If they do that means they win and we don’t want that!

[Bunji_54]

Hi, 

as a fellow indigenous veteran I hear you loud and clear. 

For the first time since 2005 I attended a Dawn Service this year followed by the local Anzac Day March, where I marched for the first time in a long time. Our local Welcome to Country was great and with a large number of indigenous veterans in the community where I live it was all inclusive and there were several indigenous families and on lookers clapping and waving during the March, several people calling out ‘thank you for your service’. 

I felt so disgusted when I got home to hear of Melbourne’s Dawn Service. 

But what has left me hurt is the online comments and posts that have been racist and derogatory. Even more so how this has been used by a few parties to support their agenda for this years election. 

The rubbish with the Melbourne Storm.. another disgrace. 

Both my sibling and I were subjected to racism whilst serving. I feel so very lucky to be living somewhere where the indigenous community as well as indigenous veterans are acknowledged and respected. 

im sorry it brought you down, just know you are seen and heard. Not everyone Australian is that narrow minded, just like the commenters on your post, there are a lot who value the Welcome to Country ceremonies.