Sombre dawn services commemorating the sacrifices of fallen soldiers have been sullied by vocal interjections and booing aimed at Aboriginal elders.
A small but loud group of participants at Sydney’s Martin Place disrupted solemn Anzac Day proceedings by shouting and jeering as Uncle Ray MInniecon was delivering his Welcome to Country on Saturday.
After those disturbing the peace were quieted and the acknowledgement concluded, a chorus of applause and cheering by thousands rang for an extended period to show support for Uncle Minniecon.
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“We do have laws to try and deter people from this but it seems like these people still want to be lawless,” the elder said after the ceremony.
RSL Australia National President Peter Tinley said the booing during the Aboriginal cultural practice was “grossly disrespectful” to First Nations people adding that it was “loutish behaviour.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns slammed the ugly display emphasising that Anzac Day should be treated with respect and reverence.
“I’m disappointed by what we saw from a small number of people,” he said in a statement.
“This is a day to honour sacrifice.”
Police confirmed a 24-year-old man was arrested and later charged with commit nuisance and will appear in court on June 3.
Several other people among the 11,000 strong crowd were moved on.
“Thousands of people attended the dawn service, with family, friends and supporters lining the route to honour those marching,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Dunstan said.
“Apart from a small handful of people, those who attended the dawn service and march were well behaved and respectful.”
In Melbourne, more than 50,000 people gathered in silence before first light broke at the Shrine of Remembrance.
But hecklers from the crowd could also be heard followed by taunting boos during the Welcome to Country delivered by Bunurong and Gunditjmara man Uncle Mark Brown.
As in Sydney, loud cheers from the crowd drowned out the disturbance in a show of solidarity as he concluded his address.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan lambasted the behaviour as “bastardry” that politicised a sacred day, adding that Anzac day was meant to unify rather than divide.
“A moment meant for silence and reflection was deliberately broken,” she said.
“To shatter it with boos is not protests and it is certainly not patriotism – it is pure disrespect.”
Other incidents also blemished the day with two women charged after officers caught the pair defacing the Heidelberg RSL in Melbourne early Saturday.
The duo allegedly spray painted a wall of the venue about 1.45am and ran from the scene as soon they spotted police.
After a short foot chase the two women, aged 22 and 20, were arrested.
Victoria Police is also on the lookout for offenders who vandalised two other RSL clubs by spray painting graffiti.
