Latest news with #TownsvilleRSL
7NEWS
4 days ago
- Politics
- 7NEWS
Tributes for Australian veteran lost in Ukraine landmine blast
Family and friends will gather this week to honour a 28-year-old Australian veteran killed clearing landmines in Ukraine. Nick Parsons was working with UK-based humanitarian group Prevail Together when he suffered fatal injuries near the city of Izyum in eastern Ukraine last month. The blast also claimed the life of British co-founder Chris Garrett and left a third person critically injured. Known affectionately as 'Nic' among friends, Parsons was remembered by close mate Lachie Romer as someone who brought light and laughter wherever he went. 'Nic was ... always up for a laugh, always there when you needed him, and someone who made life better just by being in it,' Romer wrote in a fundraiser to support Parsons' family and help cover funeral expenses. The campaign has seen an outpouring of support nationwide, raising over $20,000 in its first 15 hours. 'Let's come together and do this for Nic — for the good times, the laughs, and the memories we'll never forget,' Romer said. 'Rest easy, legend. 'We'll miss you forever.' A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 5, at Morleys Funeral Home in Townsville, Queensland,followed by a memorial gathering at the Townsville RSL, where loved ones will share stories and celebrate Nicholas' life. Following the tragedy, Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, praised Parsons' courage and selflessness. 'Demining is one of those areas where your life is 50/50 — you can live or you can die. 'We are very thankful to him and for his courageous work in Ukraine.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also offered his condolences, confirming Parsons had been engaged in humanitarian work and not in combat. 'The situation is extremely dangerous and we continue to strongly advise all Australians not to travel to Ukraine under any circumstances,' Albanese said. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is currently providing consular support to Parsons' family, while Prevail Together works alongside Ukrainian authorities to investigate the incident. Meanwhile, in a significant military development, a on Sunday. The operation, personally overseen by President Volodymyr Zelensky, reportedly took more than 18 months to plan. The attack came just one day ahead of new direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, as Russian forces continued to bombard Ukrainian cities with missiles and drones.
News.com.au
25-04-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Australians flock to pubs to play two-up on Anzac Day
Aussies have flocked to pubs across the country to play the traditional gambling game, two-up, on Anzac Day. The game is strictly illegal in Australia with the exception of Anzac Day. While there's evidence the game was played by convicts in the 18th and 19th centuries, the coin tossing game is best-associated with Anzac Day. The game was played by officers during the First World War, and became an increasingly popular pastime for the men in the trenches. While it's remained a much-loved tradition across RSLs, the game is illegal to play across the country for most of the year, with the only exception being Anzac Day. However, these rules vary depending on the state you live in. The game involves a 'spinner' tossing pennies into the air. The crowd and the spinner then bets on whether they will land as two heads, two tails or one of each, the latter of which is referred to as 'odds'. Matches of the traditional game have officially kicked off this Anzac Day. Two-up players and punters alike were spotted at The Palace Hotel in South Melbourne on Friday afternoon. Pictures captured pennies being thrown up in the air as bystanders shook hands and placed bets. While onlookers are generally only able to bet on heads or tails, some venues may allow people to bet on odds. Dutton booed after playing two-up Peter Dutton was booed at a bustling Townsville RSL stacked to the brim with ineberontiated punters, but not for his politics. The Opposition Leader landed in the country's biggest garrison town after attending The Dawn Service on Anzac Day in Brisbane. Shortly after 1pm on Friday Mr Dutton played a few rounds of two-up before making his way back through the crowd, who chanted for him to do a shoey. The Coalition leader declined, of course, to jeers of the crowd, but was likely to have to won back their favour when he got behind the bar. Mr Dutton briefly poured Great Northern Super Crisp Lager for the rowdy crowd. RSL scraps traditional game North Bondi RSL decided to scrap the game this Anzac Day following requests from veteran members. The decision was slammed as 'un-Australian' by some, however Waverley Council Bondi Ward Councillor Margaret Merten said she believed the club 'made the right call'. 'There are plenty of other places in Bondi that are hosting two-up games, and anyone who wants to go along and play will have lots of choice,' Ms Merten told NewsWire. How do you play two-up? Two-up, like other coin tossing games, is relatively simple to play, however, the rules may vary depending on where you live. Generally speaking, the ringkeeper — known as a 'ringie' — selects a player or 'spinner' to enter the game, usually by calling out, 'Come in, spinner!' The spinner will stand in the ring — a designated circle in the venue where only the spinner is allowed to stand — and hold a wooden bat, known as a 'kip' with two pennies on it. Traditionally, the game is played with pennies, as they offer the perfect weight and size ratio for easier spinning and landing. The spinner will toss the coins in the air — at least three metres — and the crowd has to bet on the way the coins will land. There are three possible outcomes: two heads, two tails or one of each, known as 'odds', with the spinner placing a bet on a particular outcome, and the crowd betting on the other. The coins must be thrown at least 3m into the air and have to fall within the boundaries of the circle to be accepted in the game. Those watching can only bet on either heads or tails, though some venues allow bets on odds, and the outcome of the game is determined by the ringie. The ringie's decision is final and the winner takes their earnings.
West Australian
25-04-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Australians flock to pubs to play two-up on Anzac Day
Aussies have flocked to pubs across the country to play the traditional gambling game, two-up, on Anzac Day. The game is strictly illegal in Australia with the exception of Anzac Day. While there's evidence the game was played by convicts in the 18th and 19th centuries, the coin tossing game is best-associated with Anzac Day. The game was played by officers during the First World War, and became an increasingly popular pastime for the men in the trenches. While it's remained a much-loved tradition across RSLs, the game is illegal to play across the country for most of the year, with the only exception being Anzac Day. However, these rules vary depending on the state you live in . The game involves a 'spinner' tossing pennies into the air. The crowd and the spinner then bets on whether they will land as two heads, two tails or one of each, the latter of which is referred to as 'odds'. Matches of the traditional game have officially kicked off this Anzac Day. Two-up players and punters alike were spotted at The Palace Hotel in South Melbourne on Friday afternoon. Pictures captured pennies being thrown up in the air as bystanders shook hands and placed bets. While onlookers are generally only able to bet on heads or tails, some venues may allow people to bet on odds. Dutton booed after playing two-up Peter Dutton was booed at a bustling Townsville RSL stacked to the brim with ineberontiated punters, but not for his politics. The Opposition Leader landed in the country's biggest garrison town after attending The Dawn Service on Anzac Day in Brisbane. Shortly after 1pm on Friday Mr Dutton played a few rounds of two-up before making his way back through the crowd, who chanted for him to do a shoey. The Coalition leader declined, of course, to jeers of the crowd, but was likely to have to won back their favour when he got behind the bar. Mr Dutton briefly poured Great Northern Super Crisp Lager for the rowdy crowd. RSL scraps traditional game North Bondi RSL decided to scrap the game this Anzac Day following requests from veteran members. The decision was slammed as 'un-Australian' by some, however Waverley Council Bondi Ward Councillor Margaret Merten said she believed the club 'made the right call'. 'There are plenty of other places in Bondi that are hosting two-up games, and anyone who wants to go along and play will have lots of choice,' Ms Merten told NewsWire. How do you play two-up? Two-up, like other coin tossing games, is relatively simple to play, however, the rules may vary depending on where you live. Generally speaking, the ringkeeper — known as a 'ringie' — selects a player or 'spinner' to enter the game, usually by calling out, 'Come in, spinner!' The spinner will stand in the ring — a designated circle in the venue where only the spinner is allowed to stand — and hold a wooden bat, known as a 'kip' with two pennies on it. Traditionally, the game is played with pennies, as they offer the perfect weight and size ratio for easier spinning and landing. The spinner will toss the coins in the air — at least three metres — and the crowd has to bet on the way the coins will land. There are three possible outcomes: two heads, two tails or one of each, known as 'odds', with the spinner placing a bet on a particular outcome, and the crowd betting on the other. The coins must be thrown at least 3m into the air and have to fall within the boundaries of the circle to be accepted in the game. Those watching can only bet on either heads or tails, though some venues allow bets on odds, and the outcome of the game is determined by the ringie. The ringie's decision is final and the winner takes their earnings. Remember to gamble responsibly. Gambling helplines
