Wednesday, 22 May 2013
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!
Monday, 29 April 2013
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.
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.
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!
Kids meal deal for $15: Meal, ice-cream & drink!
Reserve your table now by calling 4622 1286!
Friday, 19 April 2013
What's happening?
To keep up to date with what's happening at The Commonwealth Hotel Roma, follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Foursquare, Google + and Blogger!
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
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.
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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.
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Boxer
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Person who manages the game and the betting, and
doesn't participate in betting.
|
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Ringkeeper (Ringy)
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Person who looks after the coins after each toss
(to avoid loss or interference).
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Kip
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A small piece of wood on which the coins are
placed before being tossed. One coin is placed heads up, the other tails up.
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Heads
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Both coins land with the "head" side
facing up. (Probability 25%)
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Tails
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Both coins land with the "tails" side
facing up. (Probability 25%)
|
|
Odding Out
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To spin five "One Head - One Tail" in a
row.
|
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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.
|
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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.
|
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.
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.
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.
Monday, 25 March 2013
Make sure you follow us!
To keep up to date with What's on @ The Commonwealth Hotel Roma: Make sure you are following us!
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
We
have the Easter in the Country festival. The festival is in its 36th
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.
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!
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