What is State of Origin?

State of Origin is the annual best-of-three series of rugby league football matches between the Blues and the Maroons, who represent the Australian states of New South Wales and Queensland, respectively. Touted as Australian sport's greatest rivalry, the State of Origin series is one of the country's and the region's premier sporting events, attracting a huge television audience and usually selling out the stadiums in which the games are played.^[7] Despite the existence of international tournaments and State of Origin being a domestic competition, it is frequently cited as being the highest-level of rugby league played anywhere in the world.

Players are selected to represent the Australian state in which they played their first senior rugby league, hence the name 'state of origin'. Prior to 1980 players were only selected for interstate matches on the basis of where they were playing their club football at the time. In both 1980 and 1981 there were two interstate matches under the old selection rules and one experimental "State of Origin" match. From 1982 onwards a best-of-three match series has been played around the middle of the rugby league season for the State of Origin shield. Since its inception, total victories for each side were once extraordinarily even; although since 2006, Queensland have won every series.

THE TEAMS
 

Since 1908 Australia's two major rugby league-playing states, New South Wales and Queensland, have played representative matches against each other and this has continued into the "state of origin" era which began in the 1980s.
 
The two states' teams are frequently referred to as the Blues and Maroons, reflecting the respective colours of their jerseys. The Blues team is administered by the New South Wales Rugby League and the Maroons by the Queensland Rugby League. Players of the New South Wales team are sometimes referred to as the cockroaches and the Queensland team as the cane toads, due to a marketing campaign used in the 1980s where the respective teams were depicted by caricatures in such a manner.

Whilst other Australian states have also had representative rugby league sides, they have not competed in State of Origin.
 
SELECTION FOR STATE OF ORIGIN
 
Under State of Origin rules players were previously selected for the state in which they first played senior (or registered) rugby league. In 2012, the NSWRL, CRL, QRL and ARLC agreed on new criteria in determining Origin eligibility, to encompass other factors, such as place of birth. Players must also be eligible to represent Australia at international level.
 
YEAR BY YEAR

Year	Winner	Wins	Losses	Drawn	Shield Holder
1980	Queensland	1	0	0	Queensland
1981	Queensland	1	0	0	Queensland
1982	Queensland	2	1	0	Queensland
1983	Queensland	2	1	0	Queensland
1984	Queensland	2	1	0	Queensland
1985	New South Wales	2	1	0	New South Wales
1986	New South Wales	3	0	0	New South Wales
1987	Queensland	2	2[25]	0	Queensland
1988	Queensland	3	0	0	Queensland
1989	Queensland	3	0	0	Queensland
1990	New South Wales	2	1	0	New South Wales
1991	Queensland	2	1	0	Queensland
1992	New South Wales	2	1	0	New South Wales
1993	New South Wales	2	1	0	New South Wales
1994	New South Wales	2	1	0	New South Wales
1995	Queensland	3	0	0	Queensland
1996	New South Wales	3	0	0	New South Wales
1997	New South Wales	2	1	0	New South Wales
1998	Queensland	2	1	0	Queensland
1999	Drawn - Queensland	1	1	1	Queensland
2000	New South Wales	3	0	0	New South Wales
2001	Queensland	2	1	0	Queensland
2002	Drawn - Queensland	1	1	1	Queensland
2003	New South Wales	2	1	0	New South Wales
2004	New South Wales	2	1	0	New South Wales
2005	New South Wales	2	1	0	New South Wales
2006	Queensland	2	1	0	Queensland
2007	Queensland	2	1	0	Queensland
2008	Queensland	2	1	0	Queensland
2009	Queensland	2	1	0	Queensland
2010	Queensland	3	0	0	Queensland
2011	Queensland	2	1	0	Queensland
2012	Queensland	2	1	0	Queensland
2013	In Progress	1	0	0	In Progress

 INDIVIDUAL RECORDS
  

Playing

Queensland

• Most Games – 36 Darren Lockyer (1998–2011)
• Most Games as Captain – 30 Wally Lewis (1981–1991)
• Most Tries – 14 Greg Inglis (2006–present)
• Most Points – 161 Mal Meninga (1980–1994)
• Most Consecutive Games – 25 Johnathan Thurston (2005–present)

New South Wales

• Most Games – 31 Brad Fittler (1990–2004)
• Most Games as Captain – 15 Danny Buderus (2004–2008)
• Most Tries – 11 Michael O'Connor (1985–1991)
• Most Points – 129 Michael O'Connor (1985–1991)
• Most Consecutive Games – 21 Danny Buderus (2002–2008)

Total State of Origin

• Most Games – 36 Darren Lockyer (1998–2011) (Queensland)
• Most Games as Captain – 30 Wally Lewis (1981–1991) (Queensland)
• Most Tries – 14 Greg Inglis (2006–present) (Queensland)
• Most Points – 161 Mal Meninga (1980–1994) (Queensland)
• Most Consecutive Games – 25 Johnathan Thurston (2005–present) (Queensland)

Coaching

Queensland

• Most Games – 21 Mal Meninga (2006–present)
• Most Wins – 15 Mal Meninga (2006–present)
• Most Series Wins – 7 Mal Meninga (2006–present)

New South Wales

• Most Games – 24 Phil Gould (1992–1996, 2002–2004)
• Most Wins – 14 Phil Gould (1992–1996, 2002–2004)
• Most Series Wins – 6 Phil Gould (1992–1994, 1996, 2003–2004)

Total State of Origin

• Most Games – 24 Phil Gould (1992–1996, 2002–2004) (New South Wales)
• Most Wins – 15 Mal Meninga (2006–present) (Queensland)
• Most Series Wins – 7 Mal Meninga (2006–present) (Queensland)

STATE OF ORIGIN 2 @ THE COMM - WED 26th JUNE 2013

CALLING ALL QUEENSLAND SUPPORTERS

WE NEED YOU!

Do you own a maroons jersey?

Wear it to The Comm next Wednesday 26th June for SOO 2 and take advantage of the Great XXXX Giveaways, Drinks Specials, Fantastic Meals & a Great Bar Snacks Menu

WITH 12 SCREENS there is nowhere else to be!

Purchase any XXXX product between now and the 3rd State of Origin game.

Fill out an entry form and go into the draw to win a 50L Origin cooler (RRP $300).

We have 2 to be won: 1 in the Bar & 1 in the Drive Thru.

Drawn: 3rd State Origin Game 17th July 2013

CATCH YOU @ THE COMM! Roma's Number 1 Footy Pub!



Claim your own XXXX State of Origin Jersey

Buy a carton of XXXX Gold or Bitter from our Drive Thru, go online and get your 2013 QLD SOO jersey for only $19.95!

Mother's Day in Australia

    

 

   

Many Australians celebrate Mother’s Day by showing their appreciation for the achievements and efforts of mothers and mother figures. It is annually observed in Australia on the second Sunday of May.

What do people do?

Many people appreciate their mothers or mother figures, which include stepmothers, relatives, guardians (eg. foster mothers), and close family friends. Some organizations have Mother’s Day patrons who work together with the media and general community to raise awareness on Mother’s Day events that aim to raise funds for charitable or non-profit causes.

Mother’s Day events and activities may include:

• Organized walks or runs to raise money for causes such as breast cancer research.

• Visits to the zoo, movies, or botanical gardens, or other places of interest
• Breakfasts, brunches, lunches, afternoon teas or dinners at restaurants, cafes, or at home.

• Handmade gifts or cards being presented to mothers or mother figures.

• Flowers, chocolates, clothing, gift vouchers and other gifts that are given to mothers or mother figures
• Mother’s Day poems being printed, broadcast, or presented to mothers and mother figures
• Mother’s Day stories being publicized in magazines, newspapers, radio, television or the internet

Many families may also spend the day having a picnic in the park or the beach on Mother’s Day, if the weather allows it Father’s Day is also celebrated in Australia on the first Sunday of September to honour fathers and father figures.

Background

Many Australians follow the Mother’s Day traditions that stem from observances in countries such as US & UK. The Mother’s Day date in Australia is the same as the date observed in the United States, which is the second Sunday of May each year. However, it is an Australian who is credited with having started the tradition of giving gifts on Mother's Day: Janet Heyden, a resident of Leichhardt Sydney, started a campaign in 1924 to collect gifts for lonely aged mothers.

Symbols

Flowers, chocolates, and cards are popular gifts to symbolize one’s love and appreciation for their mother or mother figure. The carnation is a type of flower that is particularly symbolic of Mother’s Day for some people. Its importance as a Mother’s Day symbol is linked to Anna Jarvis, who is believed to have sent white carnations for a Mother’s Day service in West Virginia, in the United States, on May 10, 1908.

 

MOTHER'S DAY LUNCH $ BISTRO 75 @ THE COMMONWEALTH HOTEL ROMA

Spoil Mum this Mother's Day with Lunch @ Bistro 75!
Enjoy your choice of a 2 course meal for $30 per person!
Or indulge with 3 courses for $35.

Glasses of wine from $5.
Kids meal deal for $15: Meal, ice-cream & drink!
Reserve your table now by calling 4622 1286!



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TWO-UP - The ANZAC Tradition

Two-up is a traditional Australian Gambling game, involving a designated 'Spinner' throwing two or three coins into the air.

Players gamble on whether the coins will fall with both (obverse) heads up, both (reverse) tails up, or with one coin a head, and one a tail (known as 'Odds').

 It is traditionally played on Anzac Day in pubs and clubs throughout Australia, in part to mark a shared experience with Diggers through the ages.

The game is traditionally played with pennies -- their weight, size, and surface design make them ideal for the game. Weight and size make them stable on the 'kip' and easy to spin in the air.

The History

The exact origins of Two-up are obscure, but it seems to have evolved from pitch and toss a gambling game involving tossing a single coin into the air and wagering on the result. Two-up was popular amongst poorer English and Irish citizens in the 18th century.

The predilection of the convicts for this game was noted as early as 1798 by New South Wales’ first Judge Advocate, as well as the lack of skill involved and the large losses. By the 1850s, the two-coin form was being played on the goldfields of the eastern colonies and it was spread across the country following subsequent goldrushes.

Two-up was played extensively by Australia's soldiers during World War 1. Gambling games, to which a blind eye was cast, became a regular part of Anzac day celebrations for returned soldiers, although two-up was illegal at all other times.

As time passed, increasingly elaborate illegal "two-up schools" grew around Australia, to the consternation of authorities but with the backing of corrupt police. The legendary Thommo's Two-up School, which operated at various locations in Surry Hills, Sydney from the early years of the 20th century until at least 1979, was one of Australia's first major illegal gambling operations.

The popularity of two-up declined after the 1950s as more sophisticated forms of gambling like Baccarat gained popularity in illegal gaming houses and poker machines were legalised in clubs.

Legal Two-up arrived with its introduction as a "table" game at the new casino in Hobart in 1973, but is now only offered in Perth's Burswood Casino.

Two-up has also been legalised on Anzac Day, when it is played in RSL clubs and hotels. Several tourist "Two-up schools" in the Outback have also been legalised. Under the NSW Gambling (Two-Up) Act 1998, playing two-up in NSW is not unlawful on Anzac Day.

Terminology
Term	Meaning
Spinner	The person who throws the coins up in the air. Each person in the group takes turns at being the spinner.
Boxer	Person who manages the game and the betting, and doesn't participate in betting.
Ringkeeper (Ringy)	Person who looks after the coins after each toss (to avoid loss or interference).
Kip	A small piece of wood on which the coins are placed before being tossed. One coin is placed heads up, the other tails up.
Heads	Both coins land with the "head" side facing up. (Probability 25%)
Tails	Both coins land with the "tails" side facing up. (Probability 25%)
Odding Out	To spin five "One Head - One Tail" in a row.
Odds or "One Them"	One coin lands with the "head" side up, and the other lands with the "tails" side up. (Probability 50%)
Come in Spinner	The call given by the boxer when all bets are placed and the coins are now ready to be tossed.
Cockatoo	Only used in the 1800s to late 1930s, due to legalisation of Two-Up on ANZAC Day. It was the nickname of the look-out who warned players of incoming police raids.

How to Play

A person is selected as the Spinner (generally greeted to loud calls of "Come in Spinner!" by the rest of the players). The Spinner will be tossing the coins in the air using the kip until they win or lose.

The basic format of the game:

• Two heads means the Spinner wins.
• Two tails means the Spinner loses.
• Odds "One Them" means the Spinner throws again.

The Spinner is required to place a bet before their first throw that must be covered (equalled) by another player.

If the Spinner wins they keep the bet and cover, otherwise it goes to the player who covered the bet. The Boxer takes a commission out of this bet.

The other members of the group place side bets (bets against each other) on whether the Spinner will win or lose and the result of the next throw.

On Anzac Day 25th April, The Commonwealth Hotel will be recreating the Anzac spirit by putting on the biggest two-up game in town.

This is your chance to say “Come In Spinner!”

FOOD
Our Chefs will be serving up our tasty menu in Bistro 75 and our Main Bar from 1pm to 7pm.

ENTERTAINMENT
As well as hosting the only Two-Up game in Roma, there will be Travis preforming from 2pm to 6pm. Both the NRL & AFL Anzac Day clashes will be playing on all screens.

ANZAC DAY

ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day is the anniversary of the landing of troops from Australia and New Zealand on the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey, in World War I on April 25, 1915. The bravery of all military personnel who participated in this campaign and the lives of those who died in all military actions are remembered.

 

 

What do people do?

Many ceremonies, parades and other activities are held on ANZAC Day to remember the lives of those who participated or died in military action, particularly on the Gallipoli Peninsula in World War I. Dawn prayer or church services are a particularly important aspect of ANZAC Day. These represent the comradeship that the soldiers experienced as they rose each morning to prepare for another day of military action. After the services, gunfire breakfast (coffee with rum in it) is often served.

In major cities and many smaller towns, parades, marches and reunions of current and past military personnel and memorial services are held. The fourth stanza or verse of a well known poem, known as The Ode, is read aloud at many ceremonies. The poem is called "For The Fallen" and was written by Laurence Binyon in 1914. It commemorates those who died and can never grow old.

After the formal events, many people play games of "two-up". This is a gambling game played using two coins.

Background of ANZAC Day

In the early months of 1915, World War I was raging in most of Europe, including the Ottoman empire in the geographical area that is now Turkey. Russian troops were fighting on many fronts, particularly against troops from Germany and the Ottoman and Austro -Hungarian empires. At dawn on April 25, 1915, forces from France, Great Britain and the British Empire, including Australia and New Zealand, landed at a number of places on the Gallipoli peninsula. The campaign aimed to open up new fronts for the Allied forces and a trade route to Russia.

In the ensuing battle, many lives were lost on both sides and the Allied forces did not succeed in opening a trade route to Russia. The last ANZAC forces withdrew from the Gallipoli Peninsula by December 20, 1915, in a successful operation with very few casualties. In spite of their losses, the ANZAC servicemen and many Australians and New Zealanders saw this battle as the start of the ANZAC spirit. This is an Australasian ideal based on the "mateship" and cheerful suffering the forces showed during this campaign.

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Easter Saturday in Roma

Easter Saturday is between Good Friday and Easter Sunday in Australia. It falls in the middle of a four-day weekend for many Australians, which is a popular time for short vacations.

Background

In Australia, the day before Easter Sunday is a holiday known as Easter Saturday. However, in church terms, the day before Easter Sunday is properly known as Holy Saturday. It is also sometimes known as Easter Eve or Low Saturday. On this day, the period that Jesus spent in his tomb is remembered. The Easter date depends on the ecclesiastical approximation of the March equinox. In Catholic churches, no masses are said and Holy Communion is only given as Viaticum. This is administered to someone, who is about to die.

 In Roma

We have the Easter in the Country festival. The festival is in its 36^th year. Easter in the Country is a proud tradition. It is Roma’s signature family event of the year.

The festival includes events and activities to suit the whole community. With an array of sporting events, quality entertainment and cultural activities, it is an event not to be missed.

For program details, please go to www.easterinthecountry.com.au

The Commonwealth Hotel is presenting lots of sweet treats this Easter Long Weekend!

Friday 29th March – CLOSED – GOOD FRIDAY.

Saturday 30th March – Open to 2am

Visit from the Easter Bunny in Bistro 75 from 12 Noon.

Jamahl & Supercharge Slinky on stage with a Live Entertainment Double Header energizing the dance floor from 5pm to 1am.
 
Sunday 31st March – Open to Midnight

Visit from the Easter Bunny in Bistro 75 from 12 Noon.

Free Pool All Day.

Simone Smith sweetening your Sunday afternoon from 3pm to 8pm.
ampers drawn 2.30pm & 8.30pm.

If in Roma, Hop along and enjoy The Commonwealth Hotel this Easter long weekend:
- Full Pub TAB facilities
- Keno
- 34 Pokies
- Beergarden
- Drive Thru
- Meals from 12 noon to 8pm – Saturday, Sunday & Monday
- Bistro 75 Open – Saturday & Sunday for Lunch & Dinner

Monday 1st April – Open to Midnight

Win a 1 of 2 Easter Hampers. Drawn at 2:30pm and 8:30pm.

So if in Roma, Hop along and enjoy The Commonwealth Hotel this Easter Long weekend!