LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Melbourne Storm's choice to forgo a Welcome to Country ceremony before its Anzac Day match has led to the dissolution of its partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS).
The VAHS, which oversees the Deadly Choices program, announced the termination of its campaign with the NRL club in light of the perceived disrespectful treatment towards Wurundjeri elder Joy Murphy Wandin before a recent game against South Sydney at AAMI Park.
In a statement shared on social media, VAHS expressed that the Storm's actions were "disrespectful to Aunty Joy and the Wurundjeri People … [and] had hurtful impact on Aboriginal people throughout Naarm and across the country." The organization emphasized that the board's decision "demonstrated a lack of respect and cultural sensitivity towards Aboriginal people and communities." VAHS articulated its disappointment in a letter to Storm chief executive Justin Rodski, highlighting that the action contradicted their values of respect, cultural integrity, and cultural safety.
They noted that this incident has fostered negative sentiments, including feelings of sadness and anger within their community and among stakeholders.