‘Disgraceful’: Welcome to Country booed at Dawn Service

In an act widely called ‘disgraceful’ the Welcome to Country at Melbourne’s Anzac Day Dawn Service was booed by a small group of protesters earlier today.

As thousands stood in silence to remember Australia and New Zealand’s fallen servicemen, many of whom were Indigenous, heckles and boots from a group of about 10 people interrupted Bunurong elder Mark Brown’s Welcome to Country.

“This morning, I’m here to welcome everybody to my father’s country, beautiful Bunurong country,” Mr Brown said as the boos and jeers echoed out.

The boos and disgusting racist shouts continued during the five minutes of the Welcome to Country ceremony, as Mr Brown bravely carried on with his address.

“By acknowledging and encompassing the deep ritual heritage of all of our people, we strive to foster mutual respect, cultural exchange and a celebration of diversities,” he said.

Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner delivered the official Anzac Day address, which acknowledged Aboriginal Australians, which prompted more boos before a woman then shouted ‘always was, always will be’ – a comment that saw the crowd erupt in applause.

Defence Minister Richard Marles described the booing as ‘outrageous and appalling’, and branded those responsible as “just idiots”.

“It should be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” Mr Marles told Sky News.

Jacob Hersant, a prominent neo-Nazi figure, was allegedly one of the ringleaders.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton called for the police to ‘come down heavily’ on the disruptors.

“Our diggers fought against the Nazis. That this movement, the neo-Nazis, has any presence in our country at all is just an outrage and a disgrace,” he told Channel Nine.

“You look at the Nazi ideology, the deaths that it led to, the destruction – not just in Europe but across the world … that it could be glorified by Australians here shows that these people are mentally unwell.”

Victoria Police said they had “identified a 26-year-old man in relation to the behaviour”.

“He has been interviewed for offensive behaviour and police will proceed via summons,” a police spokesperson said.