Thousands Attend Anzac Day Dawn Service
About 50,000 people gathered at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne for the Anzac Day dawn service. The crowd gathered early Friday morning to honour those who served and sacrificed in Australia’s military history.
The event included a Welcome to Country delivered by Bunurong and Gunditjmara elder Uncle Mark Brown. During the address, a group of attendees began booing and heckling, breaking the solemnity of the ceremony.
Figure 1: The dawn service was disrupted by boos and jeers at points throughout the ceremony
Heckling Disrupts Welcome to Country
Some in the crowd demanded that the Welcome to Country stop. Applause from the rest of the audience quickly drowned them out. The crowd showed support for the ceremony and Uncle Mark Brown by clapping over the disruption.
Police later escorted Jacob Hersant from the event. Hersant is a known neo-Nazi and was previously convicted for performing an illegal Nazi salute. He received a one-month jail sentence in November.
The ABC confirmed that several far-right extremists were present at the Shrine. Victoria Police said a 26-year-old man from Kensington was under investigation for offensive behaviour.
Figure 2: Jacob Hersant escorted from the Anzac Day dawn service by police
Police Confirm Investigation
- Police interviewed the man for offensive behaviour
- Police will proceed with charges via summons
- A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed the disruption
“Police are aware of a small group of people disrupting the dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance this morning,” the spokesperson said.
Leaders Respond to Incident
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the disruption. “To pierce the sombre silence and to pierce the solemnity of the dawn service isn’t just disrespectful, it dishonours the very thing that the men and women who fought and lost their lives are about,” she said.
“For a neo-Nazi to come along and show that level of disrespect and dishonour to every man and woman who has served our nation with pride, honour and dignity — I absolutely condemn this behaviour.”
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also responded. “A neo-Nazi disrupting Anzac Day is abhorrent, un-Australian, and disgraceful. The people responsible must face the full force of the law,” he said.
Opposition and Defence Ministers Condemn Behaviour
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton described the presence of neo-Nazis as a disgrace. “They have no place at all and they’re a stain on our national fabric and they are not part of Australian culture,” he said.
“Nothing should overshadow what it is to be here to commemorate and to celebrate the contribution over successive generations of those that have served in uniform… I’m sure that every right-thinking Australian would be disgusted and appalled by the behaviour.”
Dutton affirmed the importance of the Welcome to Country. “It should be respected” and added, “I do not agree with the booing.”
Figure 3: Peter Dutton described the presence of neo-Nazis as a disgrace
Defence Minister Richard Marles said the incident involved only a small number of individuals. “The vast majority of the tens of thousands of people who were here at the Shrine of Remembrance this morning were here to commemorate,” he said.
“It’s really important that as we should rightfully condemn the actions of those few idiots, we don’t let it take over what is a really sacred and significant day.”
Other Leaders Echo Disapproval
Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner also faced booing during her speech after she acknowledged traditional owners of the land.
Veterans Minister Matt Keogh said, “The booing was completely disrespectful, and is not something that’s welcome at Anzac Day commemorations ever.”
Shadow Veterans Minister Barnaby Joyce described the event as sacred. “Any person who desecrates that in any way, shape or form is a complete and utter disgrace,” he said.
Figure 4: Police officers were seen escorting a man away from the Shrine of Remembrance following the ceremony
RSL and Indigenous Veterans React
RSL Victoria President Robert Webster condemned the actions of the hecklers. “The actions of that very small minority was completely disrespectful to veterans and the spirit of Anzac Day,” he said.
“In response to that, the applause of everybody else attending drowned it out and showed the respect befitting the occasion.”
Military veteran and Kamilaroi man Dean Duncan expressed disappointment. “It’s a day that we’re proud of, particularly as Aboriginal people, that we’ve served our country,” he said.
“When you’ve got people who disrespect the whole of the Anzac concept by doing that, it just erodes any positives on the day.”
Duncan emphasised the need to focus on remembrance. “The whole focus should be on that, not on one particular item on the agenda, which was the Welcome to Country.”
First Peoples’ Assembly Labels Incident Racist
Co-Chairs of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, Rueben Berg and Ngarra Murray, issued a joint statement. “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a long and proud history of serving and sacrifice for this Country,” they said.
“As First Peoples we love sharing our culture, we want to see it recognised and respected and for everyone to be able to celebrate it together.”
Police Continue Investigations
Victoria Police urged witnesses to come forward.
- Witnesses or anyone with footage can contact Crime Stoppers
- Crime Stoppers number: 1800 333 000
- Online: crimestoppersvic.com.au
Authorities continue to investigate the disruption. The response from officials and the community reflects a strong defence of Anzac Day’s significance.
