On April 25, 2025, tens of thousands of Victorians gathered at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne for the Anzac Day dawn service, despite chilly morning conditions.

The heckling occurred as Brown attempted to share the cultural heritage of the Bunurong people, but was quickly overshadowed by applause from other attendees.

The service commemorated the sacrifices made by Australian and New Zealand soldiers during World War I, particularly at Gallipoli, marking 110 years since the historic campaign.

RSL Victoria and various political leaders expressed outrage over the booing, emphasizing that such behavior was disrespectful and did not reflect the majority of attendees who showed respect.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton condemned the actions as disgraceful, highlighting the importance of respecting Indigenous Australians' contributions to the Australian Defence Force.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan also expressed disappointment over the incident, calling it appalling and stressing the need to honor all who served, including Aboriginal servicemen and women.

However, the ceremony was marred by a booing incident directed at a Welcome to Country speech delivered by Bunurong elder Uncle Mark Brown.

In response to the incident, Victorian police have interviewed a 26-year-old man linked to neo-Nazi groups and are expected to charge him for offensive behavior.

The Melbourne service concluded with a march from Princes Bridge to the shrine, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony, reinforcing the spirit of remembrance.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh criticized the booing, stating that Anzac Day represents a commemoration against hateful ideologies.

Despite the negative incident in Melbourne, Sydney's Anzac Day service proceeded without incident, with over 50,000 attendees in Melbourne, up from 40,000 the previous year.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles labeled the booing as 'deplorable,' reflecting a broader condemnation from political leaders across the spectrum.