An Indigenous elder says he is relieved after the West Australian branch of the RSL backed down on its decision to discourage the use of Aboriginal flags and Welcome to Country ceremonies at Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services.
On Friday, RSLWA confirmed it had unanimously passed a new policy to restrict their use after some members had taken issue with Fremantle's 2019 Anzac dawn service - where an Ode of Remembrance which was translated and performed in Noongar.
"While having utmost respect for the traditional owners of land upon which such sites and memorials are located, RSLWA does not view it appropriate that a Welcome to Country is used at sites that were specifically established to pay homage to those who died and who came from a wide range of cultural backgrounds," the RSLWA said when confirming the ban.
Despite RSLWA assuring that the move was designed to unite the community, its decision prompted criticism from senior politicians, including the minister for Indigenous Australians and the prime minister.
Just days later, the organisation flipped its position following what it called a strong "community reaction."
"RSLWA is concerned that its position on the matter had unfortunately drawn misunderstandings of its intent," said the statement.
“RSLWA accepts the policy may have been open to misinterpretation. Its advisory policy will be reviewed and relaunched in the near future following further dialogue with interested parties."
Professor Len Collard, who delivered the Ode of Remembrance in Noongar language at last year's Fremantle service told SBS News it was clear the WA branch of the RSL had acted outside its scope.
Professor Len Collard with former Senator Nova Peris. Source: Facebook
"In hindsight now, they've realised they were out of step with the national RSL guidelines, it's good they've realised that they jumped the gun so to speak," he said.
"There's plenty of work to now do internally, I had many ex-servicemen and active RSL Aboriginal folk who obviously were bewildered."
Professor Collard believes the decision to move away from Indigenous elements of commemoration was also made without proper consultation.
"What I can tell of it there's been so little engagement to get the decision up, it sounds like there was a group of people within the RSL leadership who decided to do what they wanted to do without understanding the implications of what their intentions were meant to be."
Indigenous dancers perform during an Anzac Day service at Kings Park in Perth. Source: AAP
On whether he would return to delivering the Ode of Remembrance in Noongar, Professor Collard said it was a simple decision.
"Of course I would do it again tomorrow, or the next day or beyond," he said.
"For those who want to portray the Welcome to Country as some racist thing that only includes Aboriginal people, I'm sorry you're completely misinformed.
"I don't stand up in front of the crowd and say this is only for Aboriginal people and if you're not you can block your ears and go and sit in the corner. I mean, how ridiculous.
"It was never intended to be like that and never will."
