Labourer Fined $880 for Booing During Anzac Day Welcome to Country

Eli Toby, a 24-year-old labourer, was charged with committing a nuisance on a war memorial after he booed during the Welcome to Country at the Martin Place dawn service on Anzac Day 2025. Representing himself in Downing Centre Local Court, he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, receiving a 25% sentencing discount. The result was an $880 fine and a recorded conviction.

Court Proceedings

Toby asked Judge Greg Grogin to consider his lack of prior criminal record. When questioned about his thought process, he read from prepared material, stating his intention was not to offend Aboriginal people and that his feelings were shared by 65% of the population.

The judge responded: "Don't worry about the Australian population, worry about yourself."

Toby described the Welcome to Country as "over politicised" and said his actions were to "stand for what I believed was the right thing at the time."

Refusal to Apologise

The judge asked Toby if he was sorry for his actions. Toby replied:

"I'm sorry it has caused such an uproar, and I'm sorry to my family that it has caused such drama."

When pressed for a direct apology to those he had offended, he remained silent, eventually saying, "I don't have an answer" and "I have mixed feelings."

Sentencing Remarks

Judge Grogin stated that while people can hold their own beliefs, the community must "live with each other and respect each other."

He told Toby that "you broke a silence" during "a deeply sensitive moment to express your thoughts, when nobody asked for them."

The judge noted that Toby's inability to apologise showed "an ignorance as to what Anzac Day really means" and expressed hope that Toby would reflect on his actions.

Toby left the courthouse without commenting.