Aboriginal Elder ‘Broken-Hearted’ as Melbourne Storm Cancels Welcome to Country

An Indigenous dancer performs a Welcome to Country ceremony before round 12 NRL match between Dolphins and Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia on May 20, 2023. Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Melbourne Storm cancelled a Welcome to Country at its Anzac Day NRL match at the last minute, leaving an Aboriginal elder “broken-hearted.”

Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin said she was informed on Friday afternoon by the club that she was no longer required to address the crowd at AAMI Park before the match.