WOMEN will play two-up at Wauchope RSL Club on Anzac Day after a year-long Anti-Discrimination Board investigation.
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The club will run its traditional Anzac Day game on Wednesday but this year women are eligible to play too, after the decision by club directors.
The ruling came as a “pleasant surprise” to Wauchope businesswoman Gail Miller who lodged a complaint with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Board after she was refused entry to the game last year.
Mrs Miller claimed she was denied entry into the game at the RSL club when she went to celebrate Anzac Day with her husband Darren and her father 12 months ago.
Her complaint was based on the Registered Clubs Act which stipulates a club has a responsibility to provide similar entertainment to both sexes.
She received notice from the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW last week informing her the issue had been resolved.
“The RSL club has decided to hold one game for all, both men and women, so I am very happy ... quietly happy,” Mrs Miller said.
The decision to abolish the “men only” rule came after discussions between the RSL sub-branch and the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board.
Since lodging the complaint in May last year, Mrs Miller has attended numerous meetings of the sub-branch in an effort to resolve the contentious issue.
A number of proposals were made by the sub-branch to put on a separate woman’s two-up game, but these were rejected.
Wauchope RSL Club assistant secretary manager Wayne Saley confirmed the club’s decision to adopt an open house policy for Anzac Day two-up.
“If the law says that we have to have a game of two-up for both men and women then we do it; that’s the club’s standing on it,” Mr Saley said.
However, Mrs Miller’s latest concern is that women will be blamed if the game fails to raise enough money for Legacy.
“Just because women are now allowed to play two-up there is absolutely no reason for Legacy to suffer through lack of donations on the night,” she said.
“The general talk from some men is that because women are allowed to play two-up, Legacy will miss out on donations or women will cause arguments with their husbands over the amount gambled.
“I appeal to all women to remember why two-up is played, respect the traditions of Anzac Day, don’t forget to contribute to the donations collected on the night and, above all, have a great night.
Sub-branch president Ray Knapp said he was concerned that the decision to allow women to join the game would prevent a lot of regular players from attending.
“Already I have lost all of my volunteers and I am frightened we will lose a lot of the big punters. I just hate the vibes that are coming my way.
“But I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”
