Park Beach Bowls Club in Coffs Harbour is preparing to mark ANZAC Day on Saturday, 25 April 2026, with traditional two-up games starting at 2pm in Green One.
ANZAC Day 2026 marks the 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, and with 25 April falling on a Saturday this year, NSW has confirmed a public holiday for the occasion, with an additional public holiday on Monday 27 April as part of a two-year trial. The Coffs Harbour RSL sub-Branch will coordinate formal commemorations including a dawn service, a march through the main streets, and a ceremony at the Cenotaph in Vernon Street. Community venues like Park Beach Bowls Club complement these formal events with social gatherings that allow residents to mark the day in a relaxed setting.
Two-up is a traditional Australian game where players toss two coins into the air and bet on whether both will land heads up, both tails up, or one of each. The game became closely associated with Australian soldiers during World War I, and gambling games became a regular part of ANZAC Day celebrations for returned soldiers. In NSW, playing two-up is legal specifically on ANZAC Day under the Gambling (Two-Up) Act 1998, making it a cherished tradition linking contemporary Australians to the ANZAC spirit of mateship and larrikinism.
Park Beach Bowls Club, located at 60 Ocean Parade in Coffs Harbour, has been a cornerstone of the local community since it was formed in 1959. The club originally operated from a marquee before building its first clubhouse, which opened on 12 November 1960. Today the venue features three bowling greens and facilities including dining, bars, and function rooms.
Locals are invited to gather at the club for the two-up games and join neighbours in honouring ANZAC Day traditions. For more information, residents can contact Park Beach Bowls Club on (02) 6652 3622 or visit the club’s website.
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