Sydney dawn service marred by booing - 7NEWS
The rousing Acknowledgement of Country, delivered by Uncle Ray Minniecon at Sydney’s Martin Place this morning, has been marred by booing.
7news.com.auHere’s a concise update on the latest reporting about Anzac Day dawn service booing.
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What happened: Across several dawn services in 2026, including Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, there were incidents of booing or heckling during Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country segments. The behavior drew widespread condemnation from veterans groups, politicians, and the public, who stressed that Anzac Day dawn services are meant to be solemn, respectful commemorations rather than platforms for protest. These events were often met with police or crowd-control measures, including move-on notices in Perth and charges or investigations in Sydney.[1][3][4][5]
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Reactions and context: RSL organizations and state premiers publicly condemned the disruption, emphasizing that Welcome to Country is intended to be a respectful recognition of First Nations custodianship and not a target for disruption. In Melbourne, reports highlighted that a small group booed while most attendees showed support and respected the ceremony, with coverage noting the widespread disappointment at the behavior. Media coverage ranged from live segments to follow-up interviews with individuals implicated in the incidents, reflecting a national conversation about how Anzac Day acknowledgments are conducted and perceived.[4][5][7][1]
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Notable follow-ups: Several outlets reported on attempts to identify hecklers and the broader debate about the role and execution of Welcome to Country ceremonies, including comments from veterans’ affairs ministers and RSL leadership. Authorities indicated that disruptions were isolated and not representative of the overall mood at the services.[3][6]
If you’d like, I can pull the most up-to-date summaries from specific outlets (e.g., SBS, ABC, Guardian, 7News) and provide a short side-by-side timeline of incidents by city, including responses from officials and any legal actions. I can also add links to the primary reporting for quick reference.