'A lack of respect and cultural sensitivity': Storm sponsor walks away over Anzac Day saga
The fallout from the Melbourne Storm's cancellation of its Anzac Day Welcome to Country ceremony has continued, with a key sponsor and community partner pulling the pin on the club.
In a statement, the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service said the cancellation showed "a lack of respect and cultural sensitivity towards Aboriginal people".
The VAHS sponsorship was through the club's Deadly Choices campaign, an initiative with the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health. The program also organised local indigenous kids to play at half time, and was a community outlet for tickets to Storm home games.
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"The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service has made the difficult decision to withdraw our partnership on the Deadly Choices campaign with Melbourne Storm, effective immediately," the VAHS statement read.
"Our decision is directly related to the Melbourne Storm board's decision to cancel Aunty Joy's Welcome to Country at the Anzac Day match.
Storm players during the Anzac Day ceremony prior to their clash with the Rabbitohs. Getty
"This decision directly had a hurtful impact on Aunty Joy, the Djirri Djirri dancers, and the Wurundjeri People. We are mindful that the negative ripple effect was also felt by Aboriginal people across Naarm, the state, and the nation."
The Storm cancelled the ceremony following an ugly booing incident at Melbourne's main dawn service.
"The decision made by the Melbourne Storm board demonstrated a lack of respect and cultural sensitivity towards Aboriginal people and communities, specifically in relation to the treatment and recognition of Aunty Joy and the Wurundjeri people, particularly their cultural protocols and practices.
"Such an action is inconsistent with our values of respect, cultural integrity and cultural safety. The decision has initiated poor wellbeing, including feelings of sadness and anger among our community and stakeholders.
"Our organisation is dedicated to fostering respectful, inclusive and culturally safe environments for Aboriginal people, and unfortunately, the actions and decisions taken by the Melbourne Storm board have compromised these principles."
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Storm chairman Matt Tripp told The Age the club's handling of the situation had "upset him greatly" and he was "disappointed beyond words".
"Once we understood the programming from management, we gave the green light to progress. By then, it was understandably too late for those who had already been informed of our earlier decision," he said.
"I am acutely aware of the many different cultures and races we have involved in our football club and our supporter base.
"Like I do with anything within the club, I guard that with my life and I want to protect that at all costs.
"To have a miscommunication deem us as non-sensitive to Welcome to Country and beyond that, a part of Australian customs, that has upset me greatly."
The Storm will play the Tigers at AAMI Park on Sunday.
