The calls were coming through thick and fast for heads or tails in the traditional games of two-up being played at Walsh’s in Queanbeyan on Anzac Day.
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Plenty of people gathered in the courtyard to try their luck in the gambling game, played by the Anzacs in the First World War.
The game is illegal year-round, except for Anzac Day.
Meanwhile, at the Royal Hotel across the street acoustic live music was setting the tone for an easy afternoon.
Families were enjoying the atmosphere and sunshine, and taking in the meaning of the day.
For Clint Brackin and Gary Hughes, the meaning of Anzac Day for them was not only to commemorate the fallen, but to recognise modern veterans too.
Mr Brackin and Mr Hughes marched in the dawn parade and again at the main parade in Queanbeyan. Both wore their sling of medals with pride.
Mr Brackin, who served in East Timor and Iraq, said one life is too many in the scheme of those who died at war.
“Anzac Day is respecting all the people before us, respecting all the people that served and all the people we lost, which is quite a lot in all the wars,” Mr Brackin said.
“It’s respecting and honouring those people in particular.”
Mr Hughes said the day was also about celebrating modern veterans of war, such as those who served in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq Afghanistan and people who are still in operations today.
“That’s what it means to me,” said Mr Hughes, who has served in the Middle East, south east Asia, the Solomon Islands, Iraq and Afghanistan.
