Welcome-to-country ceremonies overpriced: elder

30 Jul 2012, 6:33 am   -   Source: AAP
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Melbourne councils are paying up to $850 for a 20-minute welcome-to-country ceremony that should only cost a few hundred dollars, says an elder.

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Melbourne city councils are shelling out tens of thousands of dollars each year to stage Aboriginal welcome-to-country ceremonies that should cost a lot less, the Herald Sun says.

The paper says it can cost up to $850 for an elder to perform a 20-minute welcome and smoking ceremony.

Moreland, Port Phillip and Yarra councils have each spent about $22,000 of ratepayers' money on ceremonies over the past two years, the paper says.

Indigenous ceremonies have been performed at council events such as citizenship ceremonies, multicultural and Australia Day celebrations, with most done by the Wurundjeri Tribe Land and Compensation Cultural Heritage Council.

But Wurundjeri elder Ian Hunter, who split from the group years ago, says it is trying to monopolise the market by actively lobbying councils and other organisations.

Mr Hunter, who has a business performing the ceremonies, says the group is overcharging its clients.

He says he can perform the same ceremony for a few hundred dollars.

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Skip - from Cawarral, 11 months ago

Council rates are overpriced ,parking and every other services councils charge for country wide ever increasing. hurts to have to give something back. most of us are having trouble affording 2 kids and councils charge for every thing want others to give for nothing. Skip

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