Waverley Council Holds Controversial Dawn Service for Australia Day

Australia Day, celebrated on January 26, has sparked renewed debate regarding its significance and the appropriateness of the date, particularly in relation to the Aboriginal community, with many advocating for a change. Waverley Council in Sydney held a 'Dawn Reflection' event to honor First Nations people, featuring cultural expressions from local knowledge holders; however, this initiative has faced backlash from some veterans who view it as disrespectful to their service. Military Cross recipient Michael von Berg criticized the dawn service as an 'ambush' against veterans, linking it to ANZAC Day commemorations. Despite this criticism, the council emphasized the event's aim to acknowledge the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The mayor stated that the decision to hold such events is part of a commitment to social justice, especially following the recent Voice to Parliament referendum results. The ongoing discussions highlight the divisive nature of Australia Day, which is referred to as 'Invasion Day' by many Indigenous Australians.