“We were in shock and disbelief.”

“We strongly regard this as being totally tokenistic and goes completely against their journey of reconciliation and we feel very disrespected,” the statement read.

Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO (pictured in 2021) has performed the Welcome to Country at Melbourne events for years. Source: AAP / James Ross

“What we do isn’t a performance, it’s a cultural ceremony and protocol. We strongly feel this action taken by Melbourne Storm was unnecessary and has caused us hurt and disbelief in what we thought was a good relationship.

Aunty Joy added that she had wanted to honour her father Sapper James Henry Wandin who fought for Australia in World War One.

‘Miscommunication regarding the use of Welcome to Country’

“We had agreed at the start of the year that a Welcome to Country would be delivered at multicultural round and Indigenous Round and would always have an Acknowledgement of Country when appropriate,” Tripp said.

An Indigenous woman performs during a welcome to country ceremony before a FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 soccer match. Source: AAP / Matt Turner

But he said that, once the board received details of programming from management, they “gave the green light to progress”.

“I know there were some disappointed groups and individuals involved and we apologise for the misunderstanding and will be meeting with them to clear this up.”

Links between Melbourne Storm boss and Advance

“Its purpose is to make you feel unwelcome in your own country.”

“This day should be about what unites us, not what divides us,” an Advance spokesman told SBS News.