Monto Club Fights for Anzac Day Two-Up Rights

0:00It's April 19th. You're listening to Sydney News today, AI-powered local news. I'm Corey with the story. In the small Queensland town of Monto, five hours north of Brisbane. The local services club is fired up after the RSL sub branch shot down there. Request to play two up on Anzac Day. This ex-service group has handled dawn services, marches and gunfire breakfast for the past few years, drawing 400 folks to events, but without a liquor license they need RSL approval under state law to run the coin flip game. No explanation came with a denial, even though neighboring RSL branches turned them down too. The local RSL president says their five-member committee voted unanimously against it and invited the club's members to join their own two up instead. It's not the first hiccup last year in nearby Bargara, similar rules killed off Anzac Day two up entirely. Veterans like Club President Lacklin Brown, a vet with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, are gutted.

1:04He calls Anzac Day, a day to grieve and connect through traditions like two up, which he shared with mates in the battalion. Others, including via non-bets, argue no one should gate-keep the game since no money's made. It's just digger culture from the trenches. The pushback highlights outdated queens and laws under the charitable and non-profit gaming act, limiting two up-to-licensed spots, or RSL approved. Events on Anzac Day only. Experts from Flinders University say it's time to evolve, noting over 5,000 veteran groups nationwide deserve equal access to build. Comorottery without one org holding the keys. Montos Crew is rallying for legislation tweaks to let all ex-service clubs play freely, hoping the RSL reconsider so, everyone can flip coins and honor the day their way.