Welcome to Country?!

81 replies

therealdave

Member since 09 Dec 2016

Total posts 5

I really hope Stephanie Tully from Qantas was misquoted in the news.com.au article about 'new features' on Qantas including a Welcome to Country. I fear not given this was also referenced in the AFR.

Of course it will be an Acknowledgement of Country not a Welcome to Country - unless of course Ms Tully is from the Gadigal people and they are planning to have First Nations peoples on every flight for their 'Welcome to Country'

Please Qantas you can do much better!

I was also interested what they would do for their Acknowledgement of Country for flights originating from the USA and other countries?

Original article below:

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/flights/new-qantas-features-to-change-the-way-you-fly-as-airline-restarts-international-travel/news-story/1dfd1a1f18cbe3a805d72ae491c5562c

Speaking to reporters today from Qantas’ first class lounge at Sydney International Airport, chief customer officer Stephanie Tully said passengers would start to notice a few little changes from next week.

Kicking off her speech with a Welcome to Country, Ms Tully said that would be a feature from all Qantas flights from Monday.

“I’d like to start by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation and pay my respect to leaders past, present and emerging,” she said.

“Actually, Welcome to Country is one of the things you’ll hear our crew doing once we restart as well, which is a new addition and something we’re really excited about.”

russell

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 04 Nov 2011

Total posts 232

Qantas has jumped the shark.

ja90ck

Member since 30 Aug 2019

Total posts 21

In all honesty, how does this really affect peoples flight experience?

If people have an issue with Qantas paying respects to our Indigenous people, I'd suggest they have bigger personal problems to address. The reality is, Welcome to / Acknowledgment of Country is here to stay, and becoming more and more common across a variety of events and industries.

(Comments not directed at anyone, just an observation).

Last editedby ja90ck at Oct 29, 2021, 01:05 PM.

XWu

Member since 09 May 2020

Total posts 197

It might be just sloppy corporate jingo, a result of poor phrasing from plenty of pandemic zoom meetings where the hosts are often themselves not very good in understanding what they do.

Furthermore I suspect some corporate executives don’t even know that there is at least 500 nations/clans and hence unlike NZ, one have to be careful attributing the local owners/custodians in a region/city

David

Member since 24 Oct 2010

Total posts 1,016

She wasn't misquoted - Qantas will begin 'welcome to country' announcements on international flights from November 1.

Frank

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 09 Sep 2013

Total posts 107

As many say in other forums are sating, just virtue signalling...

Rufus1

Member since 04 Dec 2013

Total posts 70

It would be nice if they focussed on getting us from A to B safely and comfortably, rather than indulging in fashionable tokenism.

The maps in the QF lounges showing various language groups are fascinating. If they really feel the need, simply tell us whose country we're flying to or over. Make it informative, rather than a political statement.

GBRGB

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 21 Jan 2014

Total posts 292

And they wonder why people just put on headphones and tune off from everything and everyone, just tired of it all.

damien

Virgin Blue - Velocity Rewards

Member since 12 May 2011

Total posts 3

Originally Posted by XWu

It might be just sloppy corporate jingo, a result of poor phrasing from plenty of pandemic zoom meetings where the hosts are often themselves not very good in understanding what they do.

Furthermore I suspect some corporate executives don’t even know that there is at least 500 nations/clans and hence unlike NZ, one have to be careful attributing the local owners/custodians in a region/city

When giving acknowledgement of country and you're unaware of the people and lands you are on, you do not need to make mention of it. You simply acknowledge it like this


'I begin today by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we <gather/meet> today, and pay my respects to their Elders past and present. I extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here today.'

damien

Virgin Blue - Velocity Rewards

Member since 12 May 2011

Total posts 3

Originally Posted by Frank

As many say in other forums are sating, just virtue signalling...

For Many travellers, they begin their travel experience on the flight and flag carriers are leaning in on that. To give tourists a welcome from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders fits that bill.


Maybe for you fancy frequent travellers, this is all a bore to you. But flying isn't actually only about you, I'm so sorry to tell you.

damien

Virgin Blue - Velocity Rewards

Member since 12 May 2011

Total posts 3

Originally Posted by Rufus1

It would be nice if they focussed on getting us from A to B safely and comfortably, rather than indulging in fashionable tokenism.

The maps in the QF lounges showing various language groups are fascinating. If they really feel the need, simply tell us whose country we're flying to or over. Make it informative, rather than a political statement.

I find it fascinating that you see recognition of First Nations People a political statement.

Rxm

Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 14 Jan 2017

Total posts 18

Announcements are already too long and tedious. These types of announcements are just fluff. Support some indigenous programs instead.

Gold4Life

Member since 20 Oct 2015

Total posts 3

"Oh no, first plant-based meals and now Welcome to Country, Qantas is going woke!"

Or, maybe it's just that Qantas is moving with the times, like any business should. Updating its menu to reflect changing habits of customers, just like it's done over the decades as we moved away from the traditional 'meat and veg' and began embracing Asian foods along with other international flavours, and then generally more healthier eating.

The same with 'Welcome to country', it's not some 'white apologist sorry' statement, it's just a simple acknowledgment and a sign of respect, which has been a long time coming and is now increasingly common. It'll be great for overseas travellers visiting Australia for the first time, it takes an extra ten seconds to read out over the PA, it might even be incorporated into the start of the safety video instead of being a PA announcement. Maybe include an interesting half-hour documentary on indigenous Australian history and culture on the IFE system and direct people to that if they're interested.

russell

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 04 Nov 2011

Total posts 232

Qantas and their goal to achieve peak woke knows no end….

xtfer

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 14 Mar 2017

Total posts 159

An Acknowledgement of Country isn’t going to hurt anyone.

The real virtue signalling is signalling your lack of virtues by publicly objecting to such an inoffensive and positive move.

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