A garrison city RSL in Queensland is standing by its controversial decision to scrap both the Welcome to Country and acknowledgement at this year's dawn service, drawing sharp criticism from Indigenous leaders.
Thousands gathered for the Anzac Day ceremony in Townsville, including the Premier, but this year marked a significant break from tradition with the omission of a Welcome to Country or acknowledgement.
"I find it very disgraceful," said Elder and activist Professor Gracelyn Smallwood, who says there's a lack of understanding about the freedoms Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander diggers fought for but never received back home.
"My grandfather was one and many other grandfathers who are now deceased.
"They returned from the war with no benefits like their white counterparts. No pensions, no tract of land because of the lack of citizenship rights."
The President of the RSL sub-branch Colin Mosch has defended the branch's decision to strip back the service.
The mayor is calling it a "stripped-back service" and has thrown his support behind the organisers.
"The whole community seemed to get behind exactly what was delivered there. They appreciated the new man-making of speech," Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto said.
The decision comes as booing marred services in other parts of the country.
According to Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek in Queensland, the "government doesn't have a view specifically about welcome to countries or acknowledgement of country."
In Cairns, like many other places, the local RSL made an acknowledgement followed by a didgeridoo performance, maintaining the traditional protocols.
Townsville has a strong connection to Australia's military story, making the decision particularly significant for the community.
