Get Pissed And Play Two-Up Day

By Rupert Truscott-Hughes on April 13, 2016 in Other

Last month my dear friend and fellow Beast writer Pearl Bullivant penned a fairly scathing piece titled ‘What is the ‘Australian Spirit’?’

In it she described Anzac Day as “just another day of congratulatory back patting and political posturing disguised under the banner of ‘remembrance and memorial building’”.

She went on to say that Anzac Day had become “a strange ‘Celebration of a Nation’, and a political and commercial opportunity to market the ‘glories of war’ to the young.”

While I don’t necessarily agree with all that Pearl had to say in her piece, it did make me think a bit about the Trans-Tasman day of remembrance and I do have my reservations about some the ‘traditions’ of the day that have emerged, particularly in more recent times.

You see I feel that Anzac Day is becoming little more than a chance for Aussies to get pissed and gamble, or that’s certainly how it feels around the Eastern Suburbs in the afternoon of the day in question. Lines for some establishments often snake down the road and the atmosphere is far more raucous than reflective. By the time the sun sets, I doubt that many of the patrons can remember their own name, let alone the fallen soldiers.

As an oldish Point Piper resident I know that many of you reading this probably think I’m just another member of the Mike Baird fun police. And maybe I am a little out of touch. One thing I am well aware of, though, is that across the ditch the vibe on Anzac Day is very different. It’s a sombre affair; a proper day of remembrance, not just another public holiday on which to get pissed, punt and do things that you wouldn’t be particularly proud of on any other day of the year.

On the contrary, though, I have noticed that attendance at the various Dawn Services has increased significantly, particularly over the last decade. This is certainly a step in the right direction. Whether these attendees are still going from the night before in the knowledge that they’ve got the day off work is not something I can answer, but a few of the bleary eyes down outside the Rats in North Bondi certainly look like they’re suffering from something more than the effects of an early start and the need for a caffeine fix.

While I’m not suggesting that Mike Baird or any other bozo in a position of power ban booze or make two-up taboo, I would suggest that everyone in the Eastern Suburbs have a good think about their behaviour on Anzac Day. It’s one thing to celebrate the larrikin culture of our great nation, but it’s another all together to dishonour our history. The Diggers fought and gave their lives for our freedom; the least we can give back is a bit of respect.