RSL bans Welcome to Country, Aboriginal flag at Anzac Day, Remembrance Day ceremonies in WA

[The Reboot]

The WA branch of the RSL has banned the performance of Welcome to Country ceremonies and the flying of the Aboriginal flag at all of its Anzac and Remembrance Day services.
Key points:

The RSL says all content except the NZ anthem must be in English
Only the Australian, New Zealand and WA flags may be flown
Fremantle plans to continue with a Welcome to Country on Anzac Day

In a policy sparked by the performance of the Ode of Remembrance in an Aboriginal language last year, the veterans' organisation said it did not support the performance of these ceremonies at any sites which commemorated those who died during war.

"While having utmost respect for the traditional owners of land upon which such sites and memorials are located, RSLWA does not view it appropriate that a Welcome to Country is used at sites that were specifically established to pay homage to those who died and who came from a wide range of cultural backgrounds," the policy states.

The new policy was developed after the Anzac dawn service in Fremantle last year, where Aboriginal elder Professor Len Collard read the ode in Noongar language.

Professor Collard, who has spent much of his career preserving Noongar language, translated the ode from English.

RSLWA chief executive John McCourt said some of his members told the board that this was not appropriate.
English only, no Aboriginal flags

In response, the board developed a new policy around RSLWA-conducted commemorations of Anzac and Remembrance Days which includes the following points:

All content, bar the New Zealand national anthem, is to be presented or sung in English
Only the Australian, New Zealand and WA flags may be flown
No Welcome to Country and/or Acknowledgement of Country ceremonies
Respecting the right of regal, vice-regal and government representatives to use the Acknowledgement of Country but not at the dawn service or services at recognised war memorials

Mr McCourt said that the board could withdraw its support for an Anzac or Remembrance Day ceremony if it did not comply with the RSLWA policies.

But he said these strict conditions only related to these specific days.

"All the RSL is asking for is two days," he said.

The policy states the RSLWA "remains appalled" at the discrimination suffered by Aboriginal people after they returned from World War I.

But it notes there has been a trend in recent years to add cultural elements to commemoration ceremonies.

"While it is important to recognise cultural and ethnic contributions to the defence of Australia, it is also important to maintain Anzac Day and Remembrance Day as occasions to express unity, a time when all Australians — irrespective of race, culture or religion — come together to remember and reflect," it says.

The policy also states the organisation respects the rights of other groups to include Welcome to Country ceremonies in their Anzac and Remembrance Day ceremonies.

National RSL president Greg Melick said it was up to each state branch to represent the views of their own members.

But he said the national RSL was very happy that there was Indigenous representation at the National War Memorial event on Anzac Day, which included an annual opening of the service with a didgeridoo performance.
Ben Wyatt attacks decision

WA Treasurer and Yamatji man Ben Wyatt criticised the decision as "regrettable and divisive" in a tweet posted this morning, calling on the RSL to immediately rethink the move.

"It is worth noting that our New Zealand partners embrace the language of their Indigenous peoples at Anzac Day ceremonies," he said.

"We should do the same."

Tourism operator and musician Bart Pigram, a Yawuru man who performed in last year's Broome RSL Anzac ceremony and whose grandfather fought in World War II, said he found the policy change confusing.

"After being a part of ANZAC ceremonies last year and being invited to play the boomerangs at the dawn service with my cousin, I thought it was a great step towards RSL Broome and the Defence Force in Broome taking a step forward in reconciliation," he said.

"They [the RSLWA] say that they try to respect all cultures and so on, but then only saying everything can be done in English, that's conflicting itself.

"It's something I think our kids shouldn't be seeing and shouldn't be part of, because we're moving towards an inclusive and embracing society more and more, and then we have this sort of setback, it's ridiculous."
WA Government, Greens join criticism

WA Premier Mark McGowan said he strongly urged the RSLWA to reconsider its decision.

"This recognition has occurred for many years and has added something extra special to the occasion," he wrote in a tweet.

"It should be allowed to continue."

WA Veterans Affairs Minister Peter Tinley called it a "wrong decision" and said he was "deeply disappointed".

"I think it is out of step with the general community approach and the long hard road to reconciliation across this country," he said.

"The fundamental thing that I want to address in this decision by the RSL is the notion that all cultures, and the Noongar or the Aboriginal culture, is somehow just part of the multicultural excerpt of this country — it just is fundamentally not true.

"I think as First Nation Australians, they deserve the respect and a special place in the commemoration. They are a very special connection for all of us to have to our land, to our culture, to our heritage."

Greens WA Senator Rachel Siewart said the move was offensive and hurtful and should be reversed.

"Many First Nations peoples have served this country in the armed services and this move by the RSL is deeply offensive to their memories and not in the Anzac spirit," she said.
Fremantle to continue with Anzac Welcome to Country

Fremantle mayor Brad Pettitt said the city would continue to hold a Welcome to Country before its Anzac Day ceremony, as it had for many years.

Dr Pettitt said he respected the ode should be read in English but did not rule out it being read in another language as well.

"Our ceremonies have always been very respectful and inclusive and we will continue to do so," he said.

Fremantle hosts several Anzac Day ceremonies each year, including the dawn service on Memorial Hill and a march through the main streets.

Perth's Anzac Day dawn service in Kings Park last year was followed by a combined haka and corroboree, performed by members of the local Maori and Indigenous communities.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-21/ ... e/11986324

[billy the kid]

The WA branch of the RSL has banned the performance of Welcome to Country ceremonies and the flying of the Aboriginal flag at all of its Anzac and Remembrance Day services.
Key points:

The RSL says all content except the NZ anthem must be in English
Only the Australian, New Zealand and WA flags may be flown
Fremantle plans to continue with a Welcome to Country on Anzac Day

In a policy sparked by the performance of the Ode of Remembrance in an Aboriginal language last year, the veterans' organisation said it did not support the performance of these ceremonies at any sites which commemorated those who died during war.

"While having utmost respect for the traditional owners of land upon which such sites and memorials are located, RSLWA does not view it appropriate that a Welcome to Country is used at sites that were specifically established to pay homage to those who died and who came from a wide range of cultural backgrounds," the policy states.

The new policy was developed after the Anzac dawn service in Fremantle last year, where Aboriginal elder Professor Len Collard read the ode in Noongar language.

Professor Collard, who has spent much of his career preserving Noongar language, translated the ode from English.

RSLWA chief executive John McCourt said some of his members told the board that this was not appropriate.
English only, no Aboriginal flags

In response, the board developed a new policy around RSLWA-conducted commemorations of Anzac and Remembrance Days which includes the following points:

All content, bar the New Zealand national anthem, is to be presented or sung in English
Only the Australian, New Zealand and WA flags may be flown
No Welcome to Country and/or Acknowledgement of Country ceremonies
Respecting the right of regal, vice-regal and government representatives to use the Acknowledgement of Country but not at the dawn service or services at recognised war memorials

Mr McCourt said that the board could withdraw its support for an Anzac or Remembrance Day ceremony if it did not comply with the RSLWA policies.

But he said these strict conditions only related to these specific days.

"All the RSL is asking for is two days," he said.

The policy states the RSLWA "remains appalled" at the discrimination suffered by Aboriginal people after they returned from World War I.

But it notes there has been a trend in recent years to add cultural elements to commemoration ceremonies.

"While it is important to recognise cultural and ethnic contributions to the defence of Australia, it is also important to maintain Anzac Day and Remembrance Day as occasions to express unity, a time when all Australians — irrespective of race, culture or religion — come together to remember and reflect," it says.

The policy also states the organisation respects the rights of other groups to include Welcome to Country ceremonies in their Anzac and Remembrance Day ceremonies.

National RSL president Greg Melick said it was up to each state branch to represent the views of their own members.

But he said the national RSL was very happy that there was Indigenous representation at the National War Memorial event on Anzac Day, which included an annual opening of the service with a didgeridoo performance.
Ben Wyatt attacks decision

WA Treasurer and Yamatji man Ben Wyatt criticised the decision as "regrettable and divisive" in a tweet posted this morning, calling on the RSL to immediately rethink the move.

"It is worth noting that our New Zealand partners embrace the language of their Indigenous peoples at Anzac Day ceremonies," he said.

"We should do the same."

Tourism operator and musician Bart Pigram, a Yawuru man who performed in last year's Broome RSL Anzac ceremony and whose grandfather fought in World War II, said he found the policy change confusing.

"After being a part of ANZAC ceremonies last year and being invited to play the boomerangs at the dawn service with my cousin, I thought it was a great step towards RSL Broome and the Defence Force in Broome taking a step forward in reconciliation," he said.

"They [the RSLWA] say that they try to respect all cultures and so on, but then only saying everything can be done in English, that's conflicting itself.

"It's something I think our kids shouldn't be seeing and shouldn't be part of, because we're moving towards an inclusive and embracing society more and more, and then we have this sort of setback, it's ridiculous."
WA Government, Greens join criticism

WA Premier Mark McGowan said he strongly urged the RSLWA to reconsider its decision.

"This recognition has occurred for many years and has added something extra special to the occasion," he wrote in a tweet.

"It should be allowed to continue."

WA Veterans Affairs Minister Peter Tinley called it a "wrong decision" and said he was "deeply disappointed".

"I think it is out of step with the general community approach and the long hard road to reconciliation across this country," he said.

"The fundamental thing that I want to address in this decision by the RSL is the notion that all cultures, and the Noongar or the Aboriginal culture, is somehow just part of the multicultural excerpt of this country — it just is fundamentally not true.

"I think as First Nation Australians, they deserve the respect and a special place in the commemoration. They are a very special connection for all of us to have to our land, to our culture, to our heritage."

Greens WA Senator Rachel Siewart said the move was offensive and hurtful and should be reversed.

"Many First Nations peoples have served this country in the armed services and this move by the RSL is deeply offensive to their memories and not in the Anzac spirit," she said.
Fremantle to continue with Anzac Welcome to Country

Fremantle mayor Brad Pettitt said the city would continue to hold a Welcome to Country before its Anzac Day ceremony, as it had for many years.

Dr Pettitt said he respected the ode should be read in English but did not rule out it being read in another language as well.

"Our ceremonies have always been very respectful and inclusive and we will continue to do so," he said.

Fremantle hosts several Anzac Day ceremonies each year, including the dawn service on Memorial Hill and a march through the main streets.

Perth's Anzac Day dawn service in Kings Park last year was followed by a combined haka and corroboree, performed by members of the local Maori and Indigenous communities.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-21/ ... e/11986324

Strange that no other flag is flown at the ceremonies to acknowledge diversity.....
I thought that maybe we should fly every other flag representing the "culture" of those who died
from Australia.....you know Greeks, Italians...and so on and so on.....
Wait a minute....we dont have to pander to those "cultures" do we....
Sorry...my mistake....

[Valkie]

The RSL has gone up in my opinion of them.

Why SHOUKD they fly a fake flag of a parasitic culture

One who only insult, criticize, and abuse everything white.

Everything that is except the free money they are constantly begging for.

Imagine being part of a nation who's only claim to fame is that they are beggars?

The beg morning noon and night.

They call it demands, but the truth is it's all about BEGGING

They have the fright name aBEGorignials.

[Black Orchid]

The WA branch of the RSL has banned the performance of Welcome to Country ceremonies and the flying of the Aboriginal flag at all of its Anzac and Remembrance Day services.
Key points:

The RSL says all content except the NZ anthem must be in English
Only the Australian, New Zealand and WA flags may be flown
Fremantle plans to continue with a Welcome to Country on Anzac Day

In a policy sparked by the performance of the Ode of Remembrance in an Aboriginal language last year, the veterans' organisation said it did not support the performance of these ceremonies at any sites which commemorated those who died during war.

"While having utmost respect for the traditional owners of land upon which such sites and memorials are located, RSLWA does not view it appropriate that a Welcome to Country is used at sites that were specifically established to pay homage to those who died and who came from a wide range of cultural backgrounds," the policy states.

The new policy was developed after the Anzac dawn service in Fremantle last year, where Aboriginal elder Professor Len Collard read the ode in Noongar language.

Professor Collard, who has spent much of his career preserving Noongar language, translated the ode from English.

RSLWA chief executive John McCourt said some of his members told the board that this was not appropriate.
English only, no Aboriginal flags

In response, the board developed a new policy around RSLWA-conducted commemorations of Anzac and Remembrance Days which includes the following points:

All content, bar the New Zealand national anthem, is to be presented or sung in English
Only the Australian, New Zealand and WA flags may be flown
No Welcome to Country and/or Acknowledgement of Country ceremonies
Respecting the right of regal, vice-regal and government representatives to use the Acknowledgement of Country but not at the dawn service or services at recognised war memorials

Mr McCourt said that the board could withdraw its support for an Anzac or Remembrance Day ceremony if it did not comply with the RSLWA policies.

But he said these strict conditions only related to these specific days.

"All the RSL is asking for is two days," he said.

The policy states the RSLWA "remains appalled" at the discrimination suffered by Aboriginal people after they returned from World War I.

But it notes there has been a trend in recent years to add cultural elements to commemoration ceremonies.

"While it is important to recognise cultural and ethnic contributions to the defence of Australia, it is also important to maintain Anzac Day and Remembrance Day as occasions to express unity, a time when all Australians — irrespective of race, culture or religion — come together to remember and reflect," it says.

The policy also states the organisation respects the rights of other groups to include Welcome to Country ceremonies in their Anzac and Remembrance Day ceremonies.

National RSL president Greg Melick said it was up to each state branch to represent the views of their own members.

But he said the national RSL was very happy that there was Indigenous representation at the National War Memorial event on Anzac Day, which included an annual opening of the service with a didgeridoo performance.
Ben Wyatt attacks decision

WA Treasurer and Yamatji man Ben Wyatt criticised the decision as "regrettable and divisive" in a tweet posted this morning, calling on the RSL to immediately rethink the move.

"It is worth noting that our New Zealand partners embrace the language of their Indigenous peoples at Anzac Day ceremonies," he said.

"We should do the same."

Tourism operator and musician Bart Pigram, a Yawuru man who performed in last year's Broome RSL Anzac ceremony and whose grandfather fought in World War II, said he found the policy change confusing.

"After being a part of ANZAC ceremonies last year and being invited to play the boomerangs at the dawn service with my cousin, I thought it was a great step towards RSL Broome and the Defence Force in Broome taking a step forward in reconciliation," he said.

"They [the RSLWA] say that they try to respect all cultures and so on, but then only saying everything can be done in English, that's conflicting itself.

"It's something I think our kids shouldn't be seeing and shouldn't be part of, because we're moving towards an inclusive and embracing society more and more, and then we have this sort of setback, it's ridiculous."
WA Government, Greens join criticism

WA Premier Mark McGowan said he strongly urged the RSLWA to reconsider its decision.

"This recognition has occurred for many years and has added something extra special to the occasion," he wrote in a tweet.

"It should be allowed to continue."

WA Veterans Affairs Minister Peter Tinley called it a "wrong decision" and said he was "deeply disappointed".

"I think it is out of step with the general community approach and the long hard road to reconciliation across this country," he said.

"The fundamental thing that I want to address in this decision by the RSL is the notion that all cultures, and the Noongar or the Aboriginal culture, is somehow just part of the multicultural excerpt of this country — it just is fundamentally not true.

"I think as First Nation Australians, they deserve the respect and a special place in the commemoration. They are a very special connection for all of us to have to our land, to our culture, to our heritage."

Greens WA Senator Rachel Siewart said the move was offensive and hurtful and should be reversed.

"Many First Nations peoples have served this country in the armed services and this move by the RSL is deeply offensive to their memories and not in the Anzac spirit," she said.
Fremantle to continue with Anzac Welcome to Country

Fremantle mayor Brad Pettitt said the city would continue to hold a Welcome to Country before its Anzac Day ceremony, as it had for many years.

Dr Pettitt said he respected the ode should be read in English but did not rule out it being read in another language as well.

"Our ceremonies have always been very respectful and inclusive and we will continue to do so," he said.

Fremantle hosts several Anzac Day ceremonies each year, including the dawn service on Memorial Hill and a march through the main streets.

Perth's Anzac Day dawn service in Kings Park last year was followed by a combined haka and corroboree, performed by members of the local Maori and Indigenous communities.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-21/ ... e/11986324

Totally agree. It's not too much to ask for TWO days where we are all inclusive and all AUSTRALIAN!

Not to forget the New Zealanders but you know what I mean.

[brian ross]

WA? The RSL is retrograde. Always felt that when I lived there. Most noticeable on ANZAC day and Remembrance day. This just confirms it. Indigenous soldiers once fought for Australia as a nation when they weren't even citizens, weren't counted in the Census and were once consider Fauna. What payment did they expect? Not much but to be seen as human beings. What did they get? Bugger all. They fought as soldiers. as sailors and as airmen. What do they get now? Bugger all it seems. Tsk, tsk.

[brian ross]

WA RSL backs down over ban on Aboriginal flag after public backlash

[Juliar]

WA is patriotism at its highest. 4 Cheers to the WA patriots!!!! Now where is Patriotic Pauline ?

See how the Greeny BRossy seeks to undermine the integrity of the TRUE Australians.

[The Reboot]

WA? The RSL is retrograde. Always felt that when I lived there. Most noticeable on ANZAC day and Remembrance day. This just confirms it. Indigenous soldiers once fought for Australia as a nation when they weren't even citizens, weren't counted in the Census and were once consider Fauna. What payment did they expect? Not much but to be seen as human beings. What did they get? Bugger all. They fought as soldiers. as sailors and as airmen. What do they get now? Bugger all it seems. Tsk, tsk.

You sound like a spoilt child that didn't get a lollipop from mummy.

I thought the Australian flag represented ALL Australians, the epitome of multicultural utopianism. Why is it that any organization, RSL or otherwise, should host a cultural ceremony that has little to do with past wars that our brave soldiers fought for, when simply being Australian suffices as a means to represent all equally?
The coons already have a ridiculous amount of "cultural days", more so than "ordinary Australians". Makes sense that a racist like you would want to see more divisiveness between people. Tsk tsk.

Not to mention... retrograde? Absolutely disgusting and disrespectful towards the older fellows who fought to keep the "free" country we have now, you know, the country which you benefit from, all because they offended your pwecious oppression olympics. Tsk tsk!

[The Reboot]

WA is patriotism at its highest. 4 Cheers to the WA patriots!!!! Now where is Patriotic Pauline ?

See how the Greeny BRossy seeks to undermine the integrity of the TRUE Australians.

Not. They've backed down to pander to political correctness.. this country is going to the dogs.

[billy the kid]

WA? The RSL is retrograde. Always felt that when I lived there. Most noticeable on ANZAC day and Remembrance day. This just confirms it. Indigenous soldiers once fought for Australia as a nation when they weren't even citizens, weren't counted in the Census and were once consider Fauna. What payment did they expect? Not much but to be seen as human beings. What did they get? Bugger all. They fought as soldiers. as sailors and as airmen. What do they get now? Bugger all it seems. Tsk, tsk.

You sound like a spoilt child that didn't get a lollipop from mummy.

I thought the Australian flag represented ALL Australians, the epitome of multicultural utopianism. Why is it that any organization, RSL or otherwise, should host a cultural ceremony that has little to do with past wars that our brave soldiers fought for, when simply being Australian suffices as a means to represent all equally?
The coons already have a ridiculous amount of "cultural days", more so than "ordinary Australians". Makes sense that a racist like you would want to see more divisiveness between people. Tsk tsk.

Not to mention... retrograde? Absolutely disgusting and disrespectful towards the older fellows who fought to keep the "free" country we have now, you know, the country which you benefit from, all because they offended your pwecious oppression olympics. Tsk tsk!

I envisage the day when RSL Clubs throughout Australia, when they play the Ode Of Remembrance at 6pm daily...they
will unveil the indigenous flag........oh and maybe the Australian flag....if the indigenous allow it......
I suppose the Ode Of Remembrance will by then be accompanied by an indigenous corroboree and a boomerang throwing
demonstration......
We all must continue to pander and appease....