Qantas quietly removes "acknowledgement to country" PA announcement on landing

[MEL_Traveller]

What's part of our culture?

You can't just throw things down our throats and say it's our culture all of a sudden. Total nonsense.

The aboriginal people need assistance in many ways, not a CSM welcoming us to our own home. It's just leftist wokeism as usual.

So we can’t say ‘welcome to sydney’ or - as we sometimes hear - ‘welcome to Sydney Australia’ anymore?

 

[MooTime]

Clearly I didn't mean that.

 

[Mr H]

The sooner this stuff is abolished the better. It must be terribly confusing for international tourists.

Not at all. Aboriginal culture is a big drawcard for overseas visitors and is the main thing that differentiates Australia from any other post-colonial English speaking country. This is why souvenir shops are full of boomerangs, didgeridoos and Aboriginal art.

I like Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country - it makes me feel proud to be Australian. It makes me feel connected to the land and to the history.

Where else in the world is this sort of thing done? I don't recall hearing that much elsewhere...

Exactly. That’s why we should cherish it.

 

[Aeryn]

Acknowledgement of Country "Welcome To Sydney home of the Gadigal people" was made on my flight last night too. It was followed up with "for those visiting enjoy your stay, for those returning home welcome home".

I honestly dont see why recognising indigenous place names is such an issue for some.

 

[kamchatsky]

For most people it is not such a big deal. It is just an announcement by the pilot/FAs. All the passengers are just sitting there on the plane anyway. For foreigners it is great for them to hear it as the First Nation is part of the attractions for them to visit Australia.

On the other hand, spending time in standard lower-level corporate meeting for acknowledgment of the country is wasting valuable time. But that is Off topic ....

 

[Mr H]

My apologies for using the incorrect wording...

It’s not just about correct wording, it’s a different concept. Aboriginal Country does not equate to a nation state.

 

[stm1sydney]

I like Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country - it makes me feel proud to be Australian. It makes me feel connected to the land and to the history.

1. It's not Aboriginal culture. 2. It is deliberately designed to make people feel like guests in their own country ("never ceded" etc) and/or second class citizens and is thus divisive. 3. Why should I pay my respects to all elders past, present and emerging? Many "elders" (as would happen in any community, not just Aboriginal communities) have abused their positions and been found guilty of heinous criminal acts. No respect.

 

[moa999]

How are they going to manage it when there are several competing clans or peoples at the location?

Gadigal for example isn't all of Sydney, but it is where the airport is situated (and the name of a new CBD Metro station).

WSI would be referred to as Dharug lands I suspect, which is a similar language group clan, but other parts of Sydney such as the north would be Guringai/Kuringgai, which is from a different language grouping.

Its a little bit of education that takes no time.

 

[MooTime]

Gadigal for example isn't all of Sydney, but it is where the airport is situated (and the name of a new CBD Metro station).

WSI would be referred to as Dharug lands I suspect, which is a similar language group clan, but other parts of Sydney such as the north would be Guringai/Kuringgai, which is from a different language grouping.

Its a little bit of education that takes no time.

Aboriginal people's of the past roamed the land, moved to furtile lands, they were not restricted localised. now all of a sudden they have a detailed map, with line borders, boundaries!
Such nonsense and all some say, 'oh educate yourself' please.

Good on Qantas for removing most of the useless speech.

 

[dajop]

Acknowledgement of Country "Welcome To Sydney home of the Gadigal people" was made on my flight last night too. It was followed up with "for those visiting enjoy your stay, for those returning home welcome home".

I honestly dont see why recognising indigenous place names is such an issue for some.

This seems to be a sensible announcement, and an improvement. The welcome home comment seems to negate any sentiment around being welcomed to somewhere where you already live.

 

[Warragul]

1. It's not Aboriginal culture. 2. It is deliberately designed to make people feel like guests in their own country ("never ceded" etc) and/or second class citizens and is thus divisive. 3. Why should I pay my respects to all elders past, present and emerging? Many "elders" (as would happen in any community, not just Aboriginal communities) have abused their positions and been found guilty of heinous criminal acts. No respect.

Really? Is there reference for points 1 and 2?
What does Welcome to Country mean?