source : the age
One of Sydney’s most popular spots to mark Anzac Day has scrapped the traditional game of two-up as it prepares to honour Australian and New Zealand service men and women this week.
The North Bondi RSL sub-branch, whose founders included Australian members of the Rats of Tobruk, will host its annual April 25 dawn service at Bondi Beach on Friday.
A crowd plays two-up at North Bondi RSL Club on Anzac Day last year.Credit: Edwina Pickles
Unlike previous years, the day’s proceedings will not include two-up inside the club at the north end of the iconic strip of sand in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
North Bondi RSL Club chief executive Blake Johnson said the club had responded to veteran members’ requests to maintain a family environment throughout the full day and to avoid offering two-up on Anzac Day.
“On past Anzac Days, when the club commenced two-up mid-afternoon, the environment became significantly more rowdy and most younger families left the venue,” he said.
“Our veteran members have asked that the club be a family environment and a place for respectful remembrance and personal connection between veterans, families and the wider community.”
Two-up is often played with three coins.Credit: Edwina Pickles
The North Bondi club is known as Tobruk House and the Rathouse in recognition of early members who formed the RSL sub-branch in 1944.
Some of them were among the 14,000 Australians who led the legendary defence of the Libyan port town of Tobruk when it was besieged by German forces during World War II.
Two-up, a game in which coins are tossed in the air and bets are placed on which side of them is facing up when they land, has been a staple on Anzac Day. It is one of only three days of the year that it is legal to be played in NSW.
Photographs captured by this masthead showed a crowd participating in games at North Bondi RSL Club on Anzac Day last year.
“Many of our members enjoy the tradition of two-up and having a punt, and there is nothing wrong with that,” said Johnson, describing the absence of the game at North Bondi as a minor change from recent years.
“But on Anzac Day, our priority is remembering our veterans killed in service and supporting their families.
“We anticipate that not offering two-up may result in some small reduction in revenue on the day, but our families are more important.”
Two-up, which can also be played on Victory in the Pacific Day on August 15 and after midday on Remembrance Day on November 11 under NSW law, will still be a feature of Anzac Day events at other RSL clubs and venues in Sydney and around the state.
Sydney’s main dawn service on Friday will be held at Martin Place followed by the Anzac Day march in the city.
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