Boos mar Sydney, Melbourne dawn services

However, Sydney’s Anzac Day Dawn Service at Martin Place was interrupted by loud cheering.

There was also cheering in Melbourne at the Shrine of Remembrance during the Welcome to Country for the second year in a row.

The interruption in Sydney came when the Acknowledgment of Country was presented by Uncle Ray Minniecon, whose grandfather served in the Light Horse Brigade.

A small group of men were responsible for the booing and police quickly intervened.

Minniecon continued with Welcome To Country and received applause when he finished.

Minniecon later said those who booed should “show respect for us as traditional owners”.

Brigadier Vincent Williams, the acting president of RSL NSW, said he was shocked by the booing and called the behavior ‘lout’.

“Such behavior is disrespectful and completely inconsistent with the sanctity and solemnity that should characterize this occasion,” Williams said in a statement.

“ANZAC Day is the most sacred date on our national calendar. It is a time for quiet reflection, unity and respect – to honor the service and sacrifice of all who have served our nation. It is especially disappointing because Uncle Ray, who presented the Country Recognition, is himself a veteran who has served Australia with pride.

“It was heartening, however, to see how the many thousands who gathered in Martin Place responded to the unacceptable behavior of a few with a spontaneous and respectful show of support, which earned Uncle Ray a thunderous applause. That response reflected the true spirit of ANZAC Day – one of unity, respect and shared recognition of service.

“There is no place for such disruption or disrespect on ANZAC Day. Australians rightly expect to come together in the spirit of unity, to honor service with the respect it deserves.”

A man was later arrested by NSW Police for alleged public nuisance

Visitor numbers at Martin Place were up on last year, with 11,000 visitors, compared to last year’s 4,000.’

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the booing in Melbourne, saying: ‘Breaking the silence of Dawn Service is not only ugly behavior towards our Aboriginal servicemen and women who defended this country, it respects all who have fought and died for our freedoms.

“Politicizing this holy day is bastardism. I condemn it and so should every leader.”

Services also took place elsewhere in the country this morning, including on the Gold Coast, where accused war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith was present.

Roberts-Smith, who is currently on bail and has denied all charges, arrived in a suit at around 4.30am and took a seat in the back.

Yesterday he released a statement saying: “Anzac Day is sacred to me and every other veteran. I will be there to pay my respects and I encourage everyone else to do so as well.”

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