'Appalling': Boos mar Sydney, Melbourne Anzac Day dawn services
Moderated by Tomas Kauer 
Australians have gathered in their thousands around the country this morning to mark Anzac Day and pay tribute to Australia's veteran community at ceremonies and events.
However, Sydney's Anzac Day Dawn Service at Martin Place was interrupted by loud booing.
There was also booing in Melbourne at the Shrine of Remembrance for the second successive year during the Welcome to Country.
READ MORE: Ben Roberts-Smith attends Gold Coast service
The interruption in Sydney came when the Acknowledgement of Country was being delivered by Uncle Ray Minniecon, whose grandfather served with the Light Horse Brigade.
A small group of men were responsible for the booing and police quickly moved in.
Minniecon continued with the Welcome To Country and was met with applause when he finished.
Minniecon later said those who booed "should show respect to us as Traditional Owners".
The RSL described the behaviour in Sydney and Melbourne as "loutish".
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the actions of the small group had left him "disappointed".
"Anzac Day should always be treated with the respect, solemnity and reverence it deserves," said Minns.
"Whilst I've never before heard booing like that at a dawn service, I've also never heard a crowd spontaneously applaud as they did for Uncle Ray Minniecon. That act made it clear what the views of the vast majority attending were. This is a day to honour sacrifice."
Brigadier Vincent Williams, who is the acting president of RSL NSW, said he was appalled by the boos.
"Such behaviour is disrespectful and entirely at odds with the sanctity and solemnity that should define this occasion," said Williams 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 honour the service and sacrifice of all who have served our nation. It is particularly disappointing because Uncle Ray, who delivered the Acknowledgement of Country, is himself a veteran who has served Australia with pride.
"However, it was heartening to see the many thousands gathered in Martin Place respond to the unacceptable behaviour of a few with a spontaneous and respectful show of support, affording Uncle Ray a rousing round of 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 honour service with the respect it deserves."
A man was later arrested by NSW Police for an alleged act of nuisance.
The attendance at Martin Place was up on last year, with 11,000 attending, compared to last year's figure of 4000.'
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the booing in Melbourne, saying: "To break the stillness of Dawn Service is not just ugly behaviour towards our Aboriginal servicemen and women who defended this country, it disrespects everyone who fought and died for our freedoms.
"Politicising this sacred day is bastardry. I condemn it and so should every leader."
Services elsewhere around the country have also been taking place this morning, including on the Gold Coast, where accused war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith attended.
Roberts-Smith, who is currently on bail and has denied all charges, arrived at about 4.30am wearing a suit, and sat near the back.
Yesterday he released a statement and said: "Anzac Day is sacred to me and every other veteran. I will be attending to pay my respects and I encourage everyone else to."
RSL STATEMENT
The Returned &Services League of Australia (RSL) has condemned loutish behaviour that has disrupted Anzac Day commemorations in several States.
RSL Australia National President, Peter Tinley AM said the booing during the Welcome to Country at services was grossly disrespectful to our First Nations' people, particularly to those who served, to all veterans and the Australian community.
"Anzac Day is for Australians to commemorate all those who have served and sacrificed in defence of our nation, and many First Nations' peoples also served and continue to serve," Peter Tinley said.
"It is the most sacred day on our national calendar, a time for quiet reflection, unity and respect in honour the service and sacrifice of all who have served in our Defence Forces.
"While the overwhelming majority of those who attend Anzac Day services do so with great dignity and respect, a very small number of ill-informed people choose to exhibit loutish and disruptive behaviour."
"The Acknowledgement or Welcome to Country is a key part of Anzac Day commemorations and recognises Australia's history as well as the First Nations' people who have served.
"While disruptions are drowned out by the positive response of the vast majority of attendees, this loutish behaviour is strongly condemned.
"While the RSL has encouraged all Australians to commemorate Anzac Day, those who show disrespect do not belong at our nation's solemn ceremonies."
READ MORE: The Australian soldiers who fought epic battle in the 'forgotten war'
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