Welcome to Country explained at Aust Day ceremony

Local Wongaibon woman, Leonie McCosker, delivered a Welcome to Country speech at the Australia Day celebrations on Sunday.

Local resident Leonie McCosker delivered the traditional Welcome to Country speech as part of the 2025 Australia Day celebrations on Sunday.

Leonie welcomed the crowd on behalf of the traditional custodians of the land, the Wongaibon people of the Ngiyampaa Nation.

“Traditionally these are my ancestors’ lands,” Leonie said.

She said that a Welcome to Country speech or ceremony was a mark of respect to visitors.

Leonie explained being able to deliver a Welcome to Country was an honour that had been handed down to her from her elders.

“I think it’s important for people to understand the purpose and meaning of a Welcome to Country ceremony.

“A Welcome to Country is a tradition that’s practiced when one First Nations community seeks permission to enter another clan’s ancestral land, and to welcome visitors.

“It’s a ceremony that can only be performed by the Traditional Custodians of the land you’re on,” she said.

“There would be a set up of two fires, then a ceremony would take place.

“That ceremony can take many forms, including singing, dancing, smoking ceremonies or a speech.

“They would exchange gifts, then there would be a big celebration, coming together at the fires,” Leonie explained.

“Sometimes it was a very long process and also a very beautiful process.

“So these practices aren’t new – they’ve been part of First Nations cultures across this continent for many thousands of years and are of great significance to many First Nations people.

“It is not … because land was dispossessed; it has nothing to do with that,” Leonie said.

“It is all about respect for our culture and who we are.

“It is paying respect, especially to our ancestors.

“It’s paying respect, in a formal sense, and following traditional custom in a symbolic way.

“We are privileged to share this beautiful country with First Nations Australians, the custodians of the world’s oldest continuing culture.

“I think appreciating and understanding this is a vital part of what it means to be Australian.”

As part of her welcome, Leonie in particular  welcomed people from other nations who had chosen to become Australian citizens.

“They have chosen to take on the privilege and responsibility to become a part of our nation, and to call this beautiful land and our community home,” Leonie said.