Hi James. Thanks for the article. I have been fortunate to witness some unifying welcome to country moments over time, Wednesdays politicising of welcome to country was not one, I was at the Origin game Wednesday night and the silence of the crowd said everything for anyone who wanted to listen. The silence became the loudest message in a stadium when the NRL chose to speak in a way nobody had asked for. I felt for all Australians as we felt the divide the moment created, the divide of yes and no. Up until then all we felt was the Queensland/NSW divide and that’s a good one (problematic for me as a QLD born, NSW raised boy) Whatever a persons view on the upcoming referendum it was evident yet again on Wednesday night that Australians do not want our sporting codes and corporations playing politics and telling us what the mature and right thing to do is. I think the biggest impact the NRL achieved in this politicised moment was to add numbers to the no vote they clearly oppose. I have listened to politicians, question time, read the comments from all of our indigenous members of parliament and asked many Australians from across generations their thoughts. Every Australian I have asked wants to live in and contribute to a “one and free” Australia and wants to do the “right thing” for all Australians impacted by this moment. I think what I witnessed Wednesday night is yet again a “too far” moment that most Australians are not asking for from sporting codes and corporations. Whatever the motive the greatest impact of what we saw Wednesday was in my view, unnecessary resistance and a division of yes and no voters that need not exist. My observation is that good hearted Australians want to do the right thing here and that Wednesday nights “too far” moment coupled with strategies that have done the same are going to deliver a no vote at the upcoming referendum that will above all else negatively impact Indigenous Australians. I do believe this period could have been very different, a force for good.
Why should any of us be welcomed to our own country.
If the ‘Yes’ vote wins our beautiful AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺 will be awash with all things Indigenous mystical spirituality. Every woke council, corporation, institution, govt body will embrace it, and govt. probably legislate it.
From one racially divided country to a possible other for gods sake vote no. You can't have one hair on the tail wagging the dog or democracy is done for.
Not being a fan of football (or cricket), I didn't see the "welcome" ceremony. However, what I am seeing is a rise in ancestor worship in this country . It seems like every action is preceded by a "welcome" ceremony where they smoke eucalyptus trees and summon demons.
Outrageous. But then why was anyone at the football or watching the nonsense. Hit them in the hip pocket. My life is so much better without sport. Just think of the great books you could have been reading, the good music you could have been listening to, the meaningful conversation you could have had if the TV had been turned off or the restaurant you could have attended with friends. Or even a great time of prayer and worship to intercede for our country. These aboriginal elders are not our aunties and uncles. We are no relation and they are dividing every time they lecture us and reveal their agenda.
I immediately turned off the station the moment welcome began . I’ve noticed as I went through the Woolworth checkout today the advert for ‘ Voice ‘ came on . Had I not had my groceries already going through I would’ve walked out leaving them there . This campaign has gone overboard & ridiculous.
I'm wondering how the government, who is supposed to be offering a fair and free opportunity for Australian's to vote, is even allowed to be funding all the propaganda we are seeing. Surely to be a legitimate referendum, they would need to voice both sides? Or completely shut up?
Also, which sports are getting a kickback to further influence a 'yes' vote?
I can't vote as I'm a Kiwi, but I know what my vote would be.
Well said James, being a 5th generation indigenous Australian, way back to the First baker in Parramatta, I don't need welcoming to my country.
I simply ignore this boring piffle and waffle, turn off the volume, leave the room and do something more enlightening like cleaning my teeth, blowing more nose and anything more entertaining than this drivel and return to watch the event, whatever it may be.
When I attend a live event, I simply ignore the waste of time and drift off to something more pleasant, like as toothache!!
Racism has now become racism against whites by blacks. Whites are not racist against blacks.
Labor has removed our rights under the crown, Magna Carta and the Bill of rights 1688 and now they want us to approve a racist change to our constitution that will enable Labor to stop anything the LNP want to do if they ever win government again.
That won't be easy as they have been using massive voter fraud like the Dems in the US and the left in France, Canada, Argentina, NZ, most of Europe and even here in Australia to win every election even when all the people know they lost. Konnech is the key to voter fraud and we need to get them out of our vote counting.
No one really wants Communism and that is why they call it all sorts of other names and use Plandemics and ACC to push their totalitarian control over the people. The Voice is just one more hurdle they want to put in the way of those that want to stop them. It has nothing to do with helping Aboriginals, it is a political move.
Once they gain total control they will take everything we own, we will have nothing, but I am pretty sure we won't be happy about it.
On That 'Welcome to Country'
Welcome to country is a load of bull. Made up by Ernie Dingo. I switch off when I hear it, I was born here this is my country too.
Hi James. Thanks for the article. I have been fortunate to witness some unifying welcome to country moments over time, Wednesdays politicising of welcome to country was not one, I was at the Origin game Wednesday night and the silence of the crowd said everything for anyone who wanted to listen. The silence became the loudest message in a stadium when the NRL chose to speak in a way nobody had asked for. I felt for all Australians as we felt the divide the moment created, the divide of yes and no. Up until then all we felt was the Queensland/NSW divide and that’s a good one (problematic for me as a QLD born, NSW raised boy) Whatever a persons view on the upcoming referendum it was evident yet again on Wednesday night that Australians do not want our sporting codes and corporations playing politics and telling us what the mature and right thing to do is. I think the biggest impact the NRL achieved in this politicised moment was to add numbers to the no vote they clearly oppose. I have listened to politicians, question time, read the comments from all of our indigenous members of parliament and asked many Australians from across generations their thoughts. Every Australian I have asked wants to live in and contribute to a “one and free” Australia and wants to do the “right thing” for all Australians impacted by this moment. I think what I witnessed Wednesday night is yet again a “too far” moment that most Australians are not asking for from sporting codes and corporations. Whatever the motive the greatest impact of what we saw Wednesday was in my view, unnecessary resistance and a division of yes and no voters that need not exist. My observation is that good hearted Australians want to do the right thing here and that Wednesday nights “too far” moment coupled with strategies that have done the same are going to deliver a no vote at the upcoming referendum that will above all else negatively impact Indigenous Australians. I do believe this period could have been very different, a force for good.
Why should any of us be welcomed to our own country.
If the ‘Yes’ vote wins our beautiful AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺 will be awash with all things Indigenous mystical spirituality. Every woke council, corporation, institution, govt body will embrace it, and govt. probably legislate it.
From one racially divided country to a possible other for gods sake vote no. You can't have one hair on the tail wagging the dog or democracy is done for.
Not being a fan of football (or cricket), I didn't see the "welcome" ceremony. However, what I am seeing is a rise in ancestor worship in this country . It seems like every action is preceded by a "welcome" ceremony where they smoke eucalyptus trees and summon demons.
Outrageous. But then why was anyone at the football or watching the nonsense. Hit them in the hip pocket. My life is so much better without sport. Just think of the great books you could have been reading, the good music you could have been listening to, the meaningful conversation you could have had if the TV had been turned off or the restaurant you could have attended with friends. Or even a great time of prayer and worship to intercede for our country. These aboriginal elders are not our aunties and uncles. We are no relation and they are dividing every time they lecture us and reveal their agenda.
Yeah. It was over the top.
So sick of political agendas moving into our sporting stadiums, schools, work places....the list goes on!
I immediately turned off the station the moment welcome began . I’ve noticed as I went through the Woolworth checkout today the advert for ‘ Voice ‘ came on . Had I not had my groceries already going through I would’ve walked out leaving them there . This campaign has gone overboard & ridiculous.
My TV mute button has never seen so much use. No prizes for guessing where my vote has always been going. Well said once again James.
Welcome to Country is Bogus.
https://quadrant.org.au/opinion/bennelong-papers/2021/02/welcome-to-country-bogus-but-preferable/
I'm wondering how the government, who is supposed to be offering a fair and free opportunity for Australian's to vote, is even allowed to be funding all the propaganda we are seeing. Surely to be a legitimate referendum, they would need to voice both sides? Or completely shut up?
Also, which sports are getting a kickback to further influence a 'yes' vote?
I can't vote as I'm a Kiwi, but I know what my vote would be.
Well said James, being a 5th generation indigenous Australian, way back to the First baker in Parramatta, I don't need welcoming to my country.
I simply ignore this boring piffle and waffle, turn off the volume, leave the room and do something more enlightening like cleaning my teeth, blowing more nose and anything more entertaining than this drivel and return to watch the event, whatever it may be.
When I attend a live event, I simply ignore the waste of time and drift off to something more pleasant, like as toothache!!
Yeah.. I thought the “First Day” comment was weird too.
Racism has now become racism against whites by blacks. Whites are not racist against blacks.
Labor has removed our rights under the crown, Magna Carta and the Bill of rights 1688 and now they want us to approve a racist change to our constitution that will enable Labor to stop anything the LNP want to do if they ever win government again.
That won't be easy as they have been using massive voter fraud like the Dems in the US and the left in France, Canada, Argentina, NZ, most of Europe and even here in Australia to win every election even when all the people know they lost. Konnech is the key to voter fraud and we need to get them out of our vote counting.
No one really wants Communism and that is why they call it all sorts of other names and use Plandemics and ACC to push their totalitarian control over the people. The Voice is just one more hurdle they want to put in the way of those that want to stop them. It has nothing to do with helping Aboriginals, it is a political move.
Once they gain total control they will take everything we own, we will have nothing, but I am pretty sure we won't be happy about it.
Well said James.