War hero unleashes 'disrespectful' action from Australia Day 'dawn service' – and sends cheeky message to 'wake up' Woolies over its objectionable merchandise

An Australian war veteran has demanded Sydney council cancel the Australia Day sunrise service. He says this is disrespectful to soldiers who fought and died for their country.

The Anzac Day-style service, organized by Waverley Council, will recognize the resilience and survival of Aboriginal people, marking it as a 'day of mourning' for many First Nations people.

It includes a Welcome to Country by a traditional custodian and a smoking ceremony.

Michael von Berg, a military cross recipient who served as a combat soldier in the Vietnam War, has resigned from the council.

He says morning services should not be associated with Australia Day, given their significance to soldiers on Anzac Day.

'For God sake. “It's a disservice not only to the veteran community, but to the First Nations soldiers who fought and died for their country,” he said.

Waverley Council has faced backlash over its decision to hold a morning 'reflection' at Bondi Beach on Australia Day, similar to the one held every year on Anzac Day (pictured)

Waverley Council mayor Paula Masselos is pictured with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

Mr von Berg, who served alongside Aboriginal soldiers during his first tour of Vietnam in 1966-67, questioned the purpose of the event, describing it as “cheap symbolism”.

“Personally, a morning service of this nature goes against what they traditionally stand for, which is honoring soldiers,” he said.

“This stuff doesn't help anyone. I have nothing but respect for the First Nations people, but there has to be another way.”

Mr von Berg urged Waverley Council to 'seriously reconsider' the event.

“Keep it for another date,” he suggested.

However, Waverley Council Mayor Paula Masselos hit back at criticism of the morning service, as Australia Day was a day of mourning for many First Nations people.

“As a Council committed to social justice, we understand that January 26 can be a difficult day for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and that many in our community are still coming to terms with the outcome of the Voice to Parliament referendum. Mayor Masselos said.

Aussies are divided over Waverley Council's latest move on Australia Day to hold a 'dawn reflection'. Pictured is an Anzac Day morning service in Bondi

'Waverley voters overwhelmingly supported a Voice to Parliament which would have given Australians the opportunity to stand together to recognise, empower and listen to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, putting this voice in the constitution.'

Australia Day, celebrated every year on January 26, marks the landing of the First Fleet in 1788 when the first Governor of the British colony of New South Wales, Arthur Philip, hoisted the Union Jack at Sydney Cove.

But for many First Nations people it is considered 'Invasion Day' or the 'Day of Mourning' because it marks the beginning of the colonization of Australia.

Despite the recent debate over Australia's National Day, Mr von Berg and fellow war veterans will proudly raise the Australian flag on Friday,

“There will be no ambiguity in our veteran community as we celebrate Australia Day,” he posted on Facebook on Monday.

“The Australian flag will be flown high and proud because this flag means more to us than just a piece of cloth.

“When a soldier dies, that flag is draped over the coffin; these are the weapons of the nation embracing the soldier and thanking him/her for their service. The flag flying at half mast are the tears of the nation that mourns that soldier. It means even more.

“Leave our day and flag alone!”

He also had a scathing message for companies such as Woolworths, which have distanced themselves from January 26.

'Wake up, go bankrupt. I am tired of being lectured by corporate Australia on how to celebrate this day,” Mr von Berg told Daily Mail Australia.

Military Cross recipient Michael von Berg (pictured) urged Waverley Council to reconsider or reschedule the event to another day

This year, both Cricket Australia and the organizers of the Australian Open have announced that they will not regard the day as Australia Day.

NSW Premier Chris Minns questioned the sporting bodies' decision, saying Australia Day was an “opportunity” for Australians to “come together and embrace the fact that we live in the greatest country in the world”.

“There aren't many opportunities to spend a day away from work, come together as a community and recognize how wonderful it is to live here,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was a day for Australians to “reflect on who we are as a nation”.

“January 26 commemorates the founding of the colony in NSW, but also of recent times, of course also of multicultural Australia,” he said.