The bosses at my government job always perform a Welcome to Country. But what they’re asking us to do during the ceremony is a step too far
Officials were reportedly asked to take off their shoes and wiggle their toes during a Welcome to Country.
Staff from the Department of Justice and the Queensland Attorney General’s office in Brisbane recently attended an awards ceremony that began with a recognition of the country.
They were asked to take off their shoes, wiggle their toes and close their eyes to feel more in tune with the Earth, the report said. Courier mail.
It reportedly raised eyebrows, with some employees wondering if it would become a regular thing.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General confirmed that an acknowledgment of the country took place during the event.
Staff from the Department of Justice and the Queensland Attorney General’s office in Brisbane (photo below) recently attended an awards ceremony that began with a recognition of the country (file image above)
Staff were told to become more attuned to the Earth, take off their shoes, wiggle their toes and close their eyes
The spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: ‘A welcome to country or recognition of country will be held at appropriate government-organised events including awards ceremonies and conferences.’
‘They can take many forms and often differ depending on the nature of the event and the presenter. For example, a Welcome to Country could include singing, dancing or smoking ceremonies.”
It comes at a time when increasing attention is being paid to Welcome to Country’s performance in the corporate environment.
Last week an Australian applied for one customer service role at an insurance company was shocked after the hiring manager opened the interview with a Welcome to Country.
The applicant shared the “weird” experience on Reddit, saying the Brisbane-based company’s hiring manager “took it upon himself” to conduct a Welcome to Country at the start of a “very small” group interview with less than five candidates.
“I wanted to hear others’ opinions on this as I thought this was the best Australian business culture,” the candidate wrote.
‘I didn’t think about it at the time, but in retrospect it’s quite strange and unnecessary.
“I understand companies do this for big/important meetings with senior managers, but during a job interview it just felt pointless.”
A Welcome to Country can only be delivered by Traditional Owners or Custodians of the land on which the event takes place.
It is usually conducted by a local Aboriginal elder to acknowledge and give permission for events taking place on traditional lands.
If a Traditional Owner is not available to make a Welcome to Country, an Acknowledgment of Land can be delivered instead.
A Welcome to Country can only be delivered by Traditional Owners or Custodians of the land on which the event takes place
It is usually conducted by a local Aboriginal elder to acknowledge and give permission for events taking place on traditional lands
If a Traditional Owner is not available to make a Welcome to Country, an Acknowledgment of Land can be delivered instead
