Anzac Day in Murrumbateman

A LARGE crowd is expected at Jones Park this Saturday morning for the villages’ Anzac Day service, organised by the Murrumbateman Lions Club starting at 9:30am.

The ceremony in Murrumbateman has been running since the early 1990’s according to Dave Shannon, who organises the event on behalf of the Lions Club with Commander Jill Buckfield, who arranges guest speakers.

In the early years, Dave assisted Lord Tom Bevan and has since taken over the role.

This year’s service features guest of honour, Darron Kavanagh CSC from the Royal Australian Navy, who will provide the Anzac Day address, and the New Zealand High Commissioner, Major Aaron Wright.

Luka Barac at the Anzac Day service, Jones Park, Murrumbateman 2013 Photo: Briony Barac

The 1st Murrumbateman Scouts will provide the Ode, form a guard of honour around the shrine and raise the national flag.

Children from Murrumbateman Early Childhood Centre Association (MECCA) will lay a wreath, as will Major Aaron Wright who is representing the New Zealand High Commission.

Those paying their respects can expect to witness a Catafalque Party drawn from B Squadron 1/15 of the Royal NSW Lancers (RNSWL) and to hear the traditional last post played by Murrumbatemans own bugler, Edward Alley.

Pipest, John Griggs will also provide an age old tune and Richard Jonestone will sing at the event.

Trooper, John Benson and horse are also attending from the Australian Light Horse Association.

After the service, locals are invited to celebrate the day with a traditional morning tea in the dining room over the highway at the pub. Anzac biscuits, fruit cake, tea and coffee are provided for free by the Lions Club and pub bistro at the Murrumbateman Country Inn.

The Murrumbateman Village Market is on until 1pm and have 100 free Diggers-themed show bags for the kids.

Come in Spinner!

Having never participated in a round of two-up myself, I wanted to know all that’s behind it and was lucky enough to have the rules and runnings explained to me by Steve Benton, who has controlled ‘the ring’ for the event organised by the Murrumbateman Lions Club for the last 15 years.

Back in the day, soldiers would play this game placing only two coins between their knuckles, challenging their mates while taking a break from the battle field and Steve assures me its a game for beginners and professionals.

The session in Murrumbateman runs from noon to 6pm at the Murrumbateman Country Inn, with the busiest period between 3-6pm and even more so, 5-6pm when everyone is trying to win their money back!

The game of two-up consists of three coins being placed on a wooden kip and tossed above the head, giving the coins a chance to spin and land either side up to display a clear winner when the coins land.

It costs $2 to get inside the ring and be the one to flip the kip, the money collected is used in the community throughout the year by the Lions Club.

There’s a minimum $5 bet, maximum $20 with the ring master (or associates). As the spinner, you must throw heads three times to stay inside the ring to keep control of the kip.

The bet increases with each spin and if started at $5, climbs to $40 by the 3rd spin. After three successful spins of heads, the spinner may walk with the money or continue to spin another three times, risking their kitty.

For the high rollers, you may bet more than $20 if you can find someone willing to match your bet around the ring.

The money is held by the punter backing tails and the Ring Control has the final say in any wayward spins and may call a ‘no throw’ if needed and his decision is final (there’s no video referee!). Steve says the most important thing to remember is that the game is about fun and honouring the age-old tradition.

Light Horseman, John Benson at the Anzac Day service. Jones Park, Murrumbateman 2013 Photo: Liz Parr