Two of the region's most prominent First Nations leaders have hit back at suggestions raised in the dying days of the current federal election campaign that Welcomes to Country have been overdone.

The issue, which has dominated the final week of the campaign, surfaced when a prominent neo-Nazi led a handful of protestors who disrupted a Welcome to Country by an Indigenous leader at the ANZAC Day dawn service in Melbourne on 25 April.

In the immediate aftermath there was widespread condemnation of that disruption by political leaders who described it as "disrespectful". But in the days that followed, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said he felt the Welcome to Country protocol at the start of events – such as ANZAC Day – and meetings was being "overdone".

In the Illawarra, between them, Dr Aunty Barbara (Barb) Nicholson and Uncle Richard Davies have conducted hundreds of Welcomes to Country.

Aunty Barb believes in the wake of the failed 2023 Voice referendum, those who supported the No vote wanted to seize the Welcome to Country issue as a potential election vote winner.

'We don't just turn up'

"There's an undertone of blame for Aboriginal people for it. It needs to be made clear that it's whitefellas who actually invite us to perform these Welcomes. We don't just turn up at these things."

Aunty Barb – who has lost count of the number of Welcomes to Country she's conducted over many years – said in the immediate disappointment of the Voice referendum result, she'd seriously considered never doing another Welcome to Country again.

"But then I thought about it, and very quickly realised I shouldn't disappear. I shouldn't vanish; because that's what they'd want to see happen."

Aunty Barb said many Australians seemed confused about the true meaning and the history of a Welcome to Country, and she condemned some political parties playing on the misconception and spreading misinformation, that an Aboriginal Welcome to Country was actually welcoming people to today's Australia.

Since time immemorial

"These Welcomes have been happening since time immemorial," Aunty Barb said. "It's a cultural obligation handed down over millennia, to ensure the spiritual welfare of visitors passing through the Country we live in."

Aunty Barb admitted she'd been made to feel uncomfortable, but very rarely, when she'd conducted her Welcomes to Country in the Illawarra in the past.

She said, even in light of the controversy of the past week, she wouldn't be intimidated when performing her Welcomes in the future.

"I've been invited to do one next week. What are they going to do to me? If people want to throw slings and arrows to try to hurt me, then they've picked the wrong little black duck."

Respect and understanding

Another local First Nations elder, Uncle Richard Davis, said he was "very disappointed" by what happened on ANZAC Day and the debate that's followed. 

"It's really not on. It's all about respect and understanding," Uncle Richard said.

He blamed ignorance for those who felt there was no place for what he considers important historic protocols, which link this country's ancient past with the present day.

"People need to learn about the history of this nation and understand the history. We were the First People here and that's a fact. That's the history. All we're doing is welcoming people to our land as we've always done. Most people seem to appreciate that here in the Illawarra."

Uncle Richard said he'd never been heckled or booed when giving a Welcome to Country "but if I was, I'd call those people out; ask them to show some respect; just as we respect the protocols of those who've colonised this land, such as when the national anthem is sung at the start of an event and we all stand together, out of respect."

Uncle Richard said he was pleased to be invited by Wollongong Council and other organisations to regularly Welcome people to Country.

"I've done two Welcomes this week and I'm doing two next week, and I'm happy to keep doing them whenever I'm invited. It provides an opportunity for me to explain some of the history of this place and our connection to this part of the Country for more than 60,000 years."

Local candidates have been booed

Twice during the current election campaign, Greens candidates in the Illawarra have been booed while acknowledging the traditional owners in their introductory remarks at 'meet the candidates' events. Both events were held at the Warilla Bowling Club. 

Greens candidate for Cunningham Jess Whittaker blamed Opposition leader Peter Dutton for trying to use the issue and his success in the referendum for political purposes.

She declined the opportunity to explain the circumstances in which she and her Greens colleague in Whitlam, Jamie Dixon, had been heckled for acknowledging the First Australians.

"I prefer not to give it oxygen," she said, but went on to say: "It is gutter politics ... it is obvious Dutton is taking the Coalition further to the right to appeal to those thinking about One Nation or Clive Palmer's latest faux-political hobby."

Council will continue with Welcomes

Meanwhile, Wollongong City Council, which for many years has included Welcomes to Country at major events such as citizenship ceremonies and its citizen of the year awards, has confirmed to The Illawarra Flame that following the debate of the past week nothing will change.

"Wollongong City Council acknowledges and respects the traditional custodians of Dharawal Country and recognises their deep connection to the land, waters, and community within our local government area," a spokesperson said.

"Council recognises that spiritual connection to the land is an essential source of belonging and identity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and remains committed to building stronger relationships between Aboriginal people and the broader community.

"We will continue to conduct Welcome to Country ceremonies at Council meetings, official events, and ceremonies organised by or conducted on behalf of Council, as outlined in our Welcome to Country and Acknowledgment of Country protocols."