Beyond the Welcome

In this episode of Beyond the Welcome, Jamie Upton sits down with respected Elder, Uncle Ray Minniecon, to discuss his perspective on ANZAC Day 2026, when he was heckled while giving the Acknowledgement of Country. Coming from a family with three generations of military service dating back to World War I, Uncle Ray offers a unique and deeply personal perspective on the incident and its broader significance.

ABOUT UNCLE RAY: 

Uncle Ray Minniecon is a proud man of the Kabi Kabi and Gurang Gurang nations of South-East Queensland. He is the Pastor of Scarred Tree Indigenous Ministries at St John’s Anglican Church, Glebe in New South Wales, Australia. Alongside his ministry, he is a veteran of the Australian Army and comes from a family with strong military service ties. He has spent decades campaigning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and is committed to justice and reconciliation. 

ABOUT JAMIE UPTON: 

Jamie is a proud palawa man from lutruwita/Tasmania, with more than 30 years’ experience across the community services sector, leadership and First Nations engagement, and current Reconciliation Action Manager at Anglicare Sydney. His work is grounded in culture, faith, relationships and a commitment to creating spaces where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are not only heard but have genuine influence in decision-making. Jamie is an advocate for reconciliation, committed to moving beyond acknowledgement and good intentions, toward meaningful relationships, courageous conversations and measurable action. At the heart of his leadership is a simple belief that reconciliation is not something we simply talk about, it is a journey we take together. 

 
FURTHER SUPPORT? 

This podcast will explore some heavy topics. If you need to talk to someone, reach out to Lifeline (13 11 14) or 13Yarn (13 92 76). 

EPISODE CREDITS 

Host: Jamie Upton | Director & Producer: Nelson Asare | Producer: Ashleigh Lee-Joe | Social Media Producer: Mel Cotton | Artwork: Emrhan Tjapanangka Sultan (Solid Lines) | Artwork Producer: Kirsten Chan (Solid Lines) | Graphics: Kem Pobjie & Scott Johnson | Aboriginal Artefacts: Dreamtime Native Arts & Crafts & Dalmarri | Recorded At: Mic’d Up Podcast Studios 

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