Veteran’s chilling prediction about Australia just came true—here’s why he’s furious

National traditions often spark debate, especially when long-standing customs face new challenges.

A recent decision by a Sydney primary school has ignited controversy.

Criticism from a decorated war veteran has turned it into a broader debate about how Australia honours its history.


A Sydney primary school’s decision to allow students to opt out of its ANZAC Day service sparked backlash, with a decorated war veteran condemning the move as part of a broader ideological shift.

Sherwood Ridge Public School in Kellyville, northwest Sydney, sent an email to parents asking them to indicate if they preferred their child not to attend the school’s commemorative assembly on 10 April.

The school reportedly made the decision to accommodate a small group of Christian students whose beliefs prevent them from commemorating war.


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School’s ANZAC Day opt-out sparks outrage. Image source: Alliance of Defence Service Organisations


Students who opted out of the ANZAC service were expected to participate in alternative supervised activities.

Vietnam War veteran Michael von Berg MC OAM criticised the decision, warning that national traditions were being undermined for ideological reasons.

‘Australia Day was first—I said ANZAC Day will be next and here we are,’ he shared.

He described the move as ‘an insult, and disrespectful to all of the wonderful men and women who we’ve lost in all wars’.

‘It should be beyond any religion or any sort of woke agenda,’ he said.


Von Berg, who received a Military Cross for bravery in 1966, was a platoon commander in Vietnam and led his troops to safety after an ambush.

His citation stated that he ‘showed a complete disregard for his own safety’ to push back the enemy attack and protect his soldiers.

He rejected the school’s justification, pointing out that many faiths were represented in the Australian Defence Force.

‘We had some wonderful padres with us on active service from all denominations,’ he said.


He also blamed broader cultural shifts for the controversy.

‘The kids didn’t come up with it and I don’t think it’s the parents either—I suspect it’s the teachers,’ he said.

‘You’ve just got some people that for whatever reason hate our country and hate our flag. And that’s very unhealthy for a country.’

‘It’s the woke agendas that haven’t been helped by the government, because we haven’t been hard enough or strict enough in coming down on it.’


Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked whether schools should allow students to opt out of ANZAC Day events.

‘I support ANZAC Day. It’s as simple as that. I’ll be at ANZAC Day: I’ll be at the Australian War Memorial, that’s the appropriate place to be,’ he said.

‘My job is to support Australians and I support ANZAC Day very strongly.’

The school’s decision followed similar debates about the ANZAC legacy in recent years.

In 2024, Victorian activist Pippa Tandy from Teachers for Palestine expressed frustration over how Australia’s history was being taught.

She said she was ‘sick of having to do ideological work for arms companies and the government’.


After intense backlash from parents and veterans, Sherwood Ridge Public School’s principal, Jody Sullivan, reversed the school’s decision and announced that all students would now be expected to attend its ANZAC Day service.

‘The message sent out last month was seen as disrespectful by some members of the broader community and has detracted from our longstanding tradition of acknowledging and respecting ANZAC Day in our school,’ her statement read.

‘I want to apologise for this.’


ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the Gallipoli landing on 25 April 1915, where over 8,000 Australian soldiers lost their lives.

This year marks the 110th anniversary of the event.

The NSW Department of Education has been contacted for comment.


In a previous story, we explored how veterans are seeking alternative treatments for PTSD.

One such approach has sparked a growing interest in psychedelics as a potential solution.

To find out if it’s really making a difference, be sure to read more.

Key Takeaways

  • A Sydney primary school allowed students to opt out of its ANZAC Day service, sparking backlash.
  • Vietnam War veteran Michael von Berg criticised the decision, calling it disrespectful and ideologically driven.
  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reaffirmed his strong support for ANZAC Day.
  • The controversy followed broader debates about how Australia’s history is taught in schools.

With schools increasingly reevaluating traditions, do you think allowing students to opt out of ANZAC Day services is respectful or divisive? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
 
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Instead of pandering to these individuals the schools should be teaching them that they enjoy their freedom and way of life because of the sacrifices made by the Anzacs and every soldier who has ever served this country. The school should be ashamed of their disrespectful actions to the memory of all who have served in our armed forces.
As the word ANZACS is an acronym it should always be in capitals, and also for respect. Thank you for your comments, Bernice S
 
What is wrong with people?????
THIS IS AUSTRALIA !!!!!
These people want to live in Australia because their own country is not as free as we are.
If they come here….they should accept OUR way of life & traditions.

I bet if we moved to their country, they would change their tradition to what we want?????

YEAH…… sure they would!

I think they’d take you out the back and …….. (you can think of the consequences).

Our forefathers fought & died to have the lifestyle we have today. It is an absolute insult of the greatest to not respect them for their courage…. & for the ones who lost their lives during the war.😠

If they are not prepared to accept the respect we have for the ANZAC’s, then they should bugger off back to their own country.

I am just so fed up with losing our traditions🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
Very well said.
 
If you dont know the back ground of this school here it is this is predominately muslim, they apparently don't believe in war just laughable that part for what they do, most of the school is from Muslim back grounds this is how they grow, Australia should have learnt from what has happened in the UK, Sweden, Norway and France. They do not integrate but force their beliefs on others as has been seen in Europe, now they are teaching at this school all the muslim scholars apparently and not Australian history..
These people need to be shut down NOW before we end up like Europe! This is is Australia OUR RULES OUR LIVES OUR TRADITIONS NOT THEIRS
What a crock of shit! Muslim my arse!

Here is the school's executive team.

Executive Team

Ben Dixon
Prathibha Vasanth
Keryn Leverton
Greer Misela
Alicia Bryce
Greg Luther
Deborah Brodie

Where's all the Muslims?

 
What a digrace, these men and women gave their lives for the freedom we now enjoy.
How dare anyone think they should be able to 'OPT OUT' of this 1 special day to commemorate their sacrifice.
I noticed that our so called Prime Minister didn't really answer the question posed.
Lord help me, where are the manners and respect these days.
 
This day does NOT celebrate war. It is an opportunity to thank the people who went to war on our behalf so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have in Australia. Many of these people try very hard to shove their beliefs down our throats and tell us how bad our country is - but they are the first in line when our bad, decadent country is handing out money.
 
As an ex serviceman myself I had two grandfathers one in WW1 and the other in WW2 plus other relatives who fought in WW2 one who lost his life in a Airforce Sutherland crash in Europe in WW2 ANZAC DAY is a day to remember their efforts and sacrifices so we can have our freedom unfortunately there are those who are ungrateful for the veterans sacrifices I for one shall be gratefully remembering the fallen and those who were fortunately able to come home.
 
since when was ANZAC day a religious ceremony. It has nothing to do with religion. So why do they say their boycott is on religious grounds , soldiers who died on both sides where lots of different religions and even also some who didnt believe . Still fought and died though
I was just going to say ANAZC Day has nothing to do with religion. I am a Christian and have never considered this an affront but a respectful way to honour our servicemen. 🌈
 
I'mIf you dont know the back ground of this school here it is this is predominately muslim, they apparently don't believe in war just laughable that part for what they do, most of im back grounds this is how they grow, Australia should have learnt from what has happened in the UK, Sweden, Norway and France. They do not integrate but force their beliefs on others as has been seen in Europe, now they are teaching at this school all the muslim scholars apparently and not Australian history..
These people need to be shut down NOW before we end up like Europe! This is is Australia OUR RULES OUR LIVES OUR TRADITIONS NOT THEIRS
I agree with this post
I don't think these idiot teachers even listen much less read what is said here..
WE DO NOT CELEBRATE WAR
I repeat for these IDIOTS...
WE DO NOT CELEBRATE WAR
WE HONOUR ALL THE SOLDIER WHO DIED AND THOSE WHO CAME. BACK INJURED AND ALIVE ... I SALUTE THEM ALl..
Now, shut up and become Australians.
We love this country so LOVE IT OR SHOVE OFF
 
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Religion had very little to do with the actual fighting in the wars that Australia has been involved in. Sure, differing beliefs may have well instigated the Afghanistan conflict, but the actual loss of life in hand-to-hand combat belies this. I am also aware that 90% or more of conflicts worldwide are religious-based. However, the aggressors in most cases just kill because they are required to and taught to, not knowing the religion of the enemy in front of them.
I do not believe that any soldier called out to the enemy "are you Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or what?) before firing.
We have been moderately successful in teaching our schoolchildren to keep religion out of sport. Why can't all schools do the same with the status of wars and conflicts?
All religions are based on perceived history.
ANZAC is based on ACTUAL history.
 
This is incorect look at the schools student majority which is muslim NOT CHRISTIAN as reported.
This is Australia...NOT A MUSLIM COUNTRY! OUR RULES, OUR VALUES..FIT IN OR LEAVE.
don't bring your religious bullshit here...look at the UK classic example..
They have been taken over by the muslims 15% in the country !! Australia has so far 3.2% here...NO MORE ITS TIME TO LOOK AFTER AUSTRALIANS NOT REFUGEES!
 
its quite obvious ALBANEESE IS A HYPOCRITHE will celebrate ANZAC DAY as if he cares when in actual fact he does not give a crap about people who served this country
IF he cared ask him to explain why we are and have been shafted for the last 17 years with false CPI INCREASES
NOT ONE INCREASE IN THAT TIME OF 18 YEARS HAS ONE BEEN CORRECT
THATS 38 TIMES ALL GOVTS HAVE FRAUDULENTLY INCREASED PENSIONERS PAY RISES WITH MISLEADING PAY INCREASES TO ALL CENTRELINC CLIENTS
TAKE THE LAST PAY RISE THE GOVT STATES THAT IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS INFLATION HAS ONLY GONE UP %.04
what a load of crap
no one should honour albanese at any ANZAC MEETING AND IF THEY DO ASK HIM WHERE HE PULLED THE %.04from and it wii not be from his arse at that is too full off BULLSH----
NOBODY INTHERE RIGHT MIND SHOULD VOTE FOR ALBANEESE OR DUTTON
 
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since when was ANZAC day a religious ceremony. It has nothing to do with religion. So why do they say their boycott is on religious grounds , soldiers who died on both sides where lots of different religions and even also some who didnt believe . Still fought and died though
Hello, just been reading the previous comments, have not heard any thing like this, but do know of migrants who do not believe in this , and are very vocal about it, if challenged they usually go into their own languange, who knows what may happen in future years when thesefools get into politics, yea do aggree with t he the veteran , this is not the australia that i have grown up in.
 
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