Why Does Aintree Group Have An Acknowledgement Of Country?

From time to time, clients and members of our community ask why they see an Acknowledgement of Country on our website, email signatures and office signage. Rather than assume everyone understands its purpose, we wanted to explain why it matters to us.

As Aintree Group has offices in both Melbourne and Sydney, our acknowledgement recognises the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our Melbourne office stands, and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our Sydney office stands.

For some people, this practice is a familiar part of Australian life. For others, there may be some misconceptions about what an Acknowledgement of Country or Welcome to Country actually means.

So why do we include one, and what does it represent?

For the benefit of our clients, friends and community, we want to explain the difference between an Acknowledgement of Country and a Welcome to Country, explore the history behind these longstanding cultural practices, address some common misconceptions, and outline why recognising the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work is important to Aintree Group.

Acknowledgement of Country vs Welcome to Country

Although the two are often mentioned together, they are not the same thing.

What is a Welcome to Country?

A common misconception is that a Welcome to Country is about ‘welcoming people to their own country’.

It isn’t.

A Welcome to Country is not about granting permission to be Australian or suggesting someone does not belong. It is a traditional cultural protocol that recognises the specific Country on which people are gathering.

A long-standing tradition.

A Welcome to Country is a traditional cultural protocol that can only be performed by the Traditional Owners or Custodians of the land on which an event is taking place.

For thousands of years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples lived in distinct nations and language groups, each with their own customs, laws and territories.

Travelling between Countries often involved seeking permission from, or being received by, the Traditional Custodians of that Country.

These ceremonies helped establish safe passage, demonstrated respect and built relationships between different groups. They were an important part of cultural life long before European settlement.

Well before colonisation, First Nations peoples travelling from one Country to another would be welcomed by the Traditional Owners of that land. For example, someone travelling from Wurundjeri Country to Bunurong Country, or from Gadigal Country to Dharug Country, would be welcomed by its custodians.

Today, Welcome to Country ceremonies continue this tradition. Depending on the occasion and local customs, they may include speeches, dance, music, smoking ceremonies or other cultural practices.

That is why there are different Welcome to Country ceremonies and Acknowledgements of Country across Australia. You are not being welcomed to Australia as a nation; you are being welcomed onto the traditional Country of a particular Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community.

How it Appears Today

A helpful way to think about it is the way local government boundaries work today. As you drive around Melbourne, you might see signs saying ‘Welcome to the City of Boroondara’ or ‘Farewell from the City of Darebin’. Those signs acknowledge that you have entered a different local area.

Similarly, First Nations peoples have maintained distinct Countries for tens of thousands of years. Each, with their own Traditional Custodians, languages, customs and histories. While the comparison is not exact, the cultural significance of Country is far deeper than a modern council boundary, it helps illustrate why the Traditional Custodians acknowledged in Melbourne are different from those acknowledged in Sydney, Adelaide or Darwin.

Today’s Welcome to Country continues that long-standing cultural practice.

What is an Acknowledgement of Country?

An Acknowledgement of Country is different.

Unlike a Welcome to Country, anyone can deliver it, Indigenous or non-Indigenous, as a sign of respect.

It simply acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land and recognises their continuing connection to Country, culture and community. Also, it is an opportunity to pay respect to Elders past and present and, where appropriate, emerging leaders.

It is a way of recognising that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have maintained a continuing connection to Country, culture and community despite significant historical change.

An Acknowledgement does not replace a Welcome to Country. Rather, it is used in situations where a Welcome is not being performed or where individuals or organisations wish to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians as part of their everyday activities.

Why Does Aintree Group Use an Acknowledgement of Country?

At Aintree Group, we include an Acknowledgement of Country because it aligns with who we are and the values we strive to uphold. This includes our commitment to being courageous custodians of our community.

As an integrated professional services firm, we work with businesses, families and communities across Australia. We believe that recognising the history and Traditional Custodians of the places where we live and work is a simple but meaningful act of respect.

For us, stewardship extends beyond looking after our clients. It includes recognising the people, histories and communities that have shaped the places in which we operate.

Addressing Some Common Misconceptions

‘I’m Australian. Why do I need to be welcomed to my own country?‘

This is perhaps the most common misunderstanding.

A Welcome to Country is not about granting permission to be Australian or suggesting someone doesn’t belong.

It is a traditional cultural protocol acknowledging that every part of Australia sits on the traditional lands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The welcome relates to that specific Country and continues a custom that existed for thousands of years between different First Nations communities themselves.

‘Does an Acknowledgement of Country exclude everyone else?‘

No.

An Acknowledgement of Country is an act of inclusion, not exclusion.

It doesn’t diminish the contributions or identities of anyone else. Instead, it recognises a unique part of Australia’s history and acknowledges the continuing connection First Nations peoples have with Country.

Recognition of one group does not require the exclusion of another.

‘Is it a political statement?‘

While people may hold different personal views about the practice, the purpose of an Acknowledgement of Country is to recognise the Traditional Custodians of the land and show respect for their continuing connection to Country, it is not to make a political statement.

Its purpose is to show respect, acknowledge history and recognise the enduring cultural connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have with the land.

Many organisations, including businesses, universities, schools, sporting organisations, charities and government bodies, choose to include an Acknowledgement of Country as part of demonstrating respect and inclusion.

A Small Act of Respect

An Acknowledgement of Country takes only a few moments to read, but it represents something much broader. It seeks to recognise the Traditional Custodians of the land, respect long-standing cultures, and foster a more inclusive workplace and community.

At Aintree Group, that is why you’ll continue to see our Acknowledgement of Country on our website, in our email signatures and within our offices. It reflects our values, our respect for the communities in which we work, and our commitment to creating an inclusive environment for everyone.

Learn More

If you’d like to learn more about Acknowledgements of Country, Welcome to Country ceremonies and the history behind these practices, the following resources provide balanced and authoritative information:

Reconciliation Australia – Acknowledgement of Country & Welcome to Country
https://www.reconciliation.org.au/reconciliation/acknowledgement-of-country-and-welcome-to-country/

AIATSIS (Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies) – Welcome to Country
https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/welcome-country

Reconciliation Australia – Share Our Pride
An educational resource exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and reconciliation.
https://shareourpride.org.au/

National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA)
Information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and government initiatives.
https://www.niaa.gov.au/

First Peoples – State Relations (Victorian Government)
Information about Victoria’s Traditional Owners, Treaty process and First Peoples’ history.
https://www.firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au/