‘This isn’t respect’: Veterans question club’s Armistice Day gesture
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A local bowling club’s controversial decision to ban commemorative shirts has sparked outrage among veterans and community members just days before Victory in the Pacific Day.
The shirts, worn proudly by players to honour fallen soldiers, have been abruptly prohibited without public explanation. While the club points to copyright concerns, the RSL denies any involvement, leaving bowlers questioning who made the call, and why.
The shirt in question isn’t just any bit of club kit. Designed in orange, white, and blue, and featuring military iconography, it was created as a heartfelt tribute to the diggers—our servicemen and women who have given so much for Australia.
Over 100 of these shirts were made and proudly worn by club members during Anzac Day commemorations, and many have continued to wear them since as a mark of respect.
But now, in a move that’s left many feeling blindsided, the club’s management has told players they’ll be refused entry if they turn up in the shirt.
Not only that, but the club won’t even accept their green fees—the small payment that allows social bowlers to play—effectively locking them out of the game and the community they love.
The club’s management claims the ban is due to trademark issues, stating that RSL Australia owns the rights to the phrase ‘lest we forget’ and can therefore restrict its use. This has left many members, including long-time bowler David Ashford, feeling both confused and angry.
‘We wore the shirt last Anzac Day and nobody said anything. Last week we were told we couldn’t wear them anymore or we might have to leave,’ Mr Ashford told 2GB’s Ben Fordham. ‘I think it’s just a cop out… a way of preventing us from bowling.’
But here’s where things get even stranger: RSL Australia has flatly denied ever requesting such a ban.
In a statement, a spokesperson said, ‘This is the first time RSL Australia has been made aware of this matter and the RSL has not placed any restrictions on its use by the Wagga Bowls Club.’
‘Lest we forget’ is more than just a slogan—it’s a solemn promise, first penned by Rudyard Kipling in his 1897 poem ‘Recessional’ and later adopted as a tribute to the ANZACs and all who have served.
For generations, it’s been a phrase that unites Australians in remembrance, especially on days like Anzac Day and Armistice Day.
Source: 7NEWS Australia / Youtube.
The idea that such a phrase could be ‘owned’ or restricted has left many, including Mr Ashford, calling for the federal government to step in and ensure it remains in the public domain. ‘It has no right to be privatised,’ he said.
The ban has had a real impact on the club’s community spirit. Mr Ashford and his fellow bowlers aren’t just there for a roll-up—they also raise over $6,000 each year for the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, supporting vital local services.
To be told they can’t honour veterans in their own way, after months of wearing the shirts without issue, has been described as ‘disgusting’ and ‘sick’ by those affected.
The move has also sparked wider debate about how we remember and honour our veterans, and who gets to decide what’s appropriate. Many see the ban as an unnecessary and hurtful overreach, especially given the RSL’s own denial of involvement.
Read more: 'It's just disappointing': Outrage erupts after thieves steal treasured memorial statue
What do you think about this ban? Should phrases like ‘lest we forget’ be protected, or should they belong to all Australians? Have you ever experienced something similar in your own community? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The shirts, worn proudly by players to honour fallen soldiers, have been abruptly prohibited without public explanation. While the club points to copyright concerns, the RSL denies any involvement, leaving bowlers questioning who made the call, and why.
The shirt in question isn’t just any bit of club kit. Designed in orange, white, and blue, and featuring military iconography, it was created as a heartfelt tribute to the diggers—our servicemen and women who have given so much for Australia.
Over 100 of these shirts were made and proudly worn by club members during Anzac Day commemorations, and many have continued to wear them since as a mark of respect.
But now, in a move that’s left many feeling blindsided, the club’s management has told players they’ll be refused entry if they turn up in the shirt.
Not only that, but the club won’t even accept their green fees—the small payment that allows social bowlers to play—effectively locking them out of the game and the community they love.
Wagga RSL Bowling Club in NSW has banned players from wearing shirts featuring the phrase ‘lest we forget’, claiming trademark rights over the phrase. Image source: 7NEWS Australia / Youtube.
The club’s management claims the ban is due to trademark issues, stating that RSL Australia owns the rights to the phrase ‘lest we forget’ and can therefore restrict its use. This has left many members, including long-time bowler David Ashford, feeling both confused and angry.
‘We wore the shirt last Anzac Day and nobody said anything. Last week we were told we couldn’t wear them anymore or we might have to leave,’ Mr Ashford told 2GB’s Ben Fordham. ‘I think it’s just a cop out… a way of preventing us from bowling.’
But here’s where things get even stranger: RSL Australia has flatly denied ever requesting such a ban.
In a statement, a spokesperson said, ‘This is the first time RSL Australia has been made aware of this matter and the RSL has not placed any restrictions on its use by the Wagga Bowls Club.’
‘Lest we forget’ is more than just a slogan—it’s a solemn promise, first penned by Rudyard Kipling in his 1897 poem ‘Recessional’ and later adopted as a tribute to the ANZACs and all who have served.
For generations, it’s been a phrase that unites Australians in remembrance, especially on days like Anzac Day and Armistice Day.
Source: 7NEWS Australia / Youtube.
The idea that such a phrase could be ‘owned’ or restricted has left many, including Mr Ashford, calling for the federal government to step in and ensure it remains in the public domain. ‘It has no right to be privatised,’ he said.
The ban has had a real impact on the club’s community spirit. Mr Ashford and his fellow bowlers aren’t just there for a roll-up—they also raise over $6,000 each year for the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, supporting vital local services.
To be told they can’t honour veterans in their own way, after months of wearing the shirts without issue, has been described as ‘disgusting’ and ‘sick’ by those affected.
The move has also sparked wider debate about how we remember and honour our veterans, and who gets to decide what’s appropriate. Many see the ban as an unnecessary and hurtful overreach, especially given the RSL’s own denial of involvement.
Read more: 'It's just disappointing': Outrage erupts after thieves steal treasured memorial statue
What do you think about this ban? Should phrases like ‘lest we forget’ be protected, or should they belong to all Australians? Have you ever experienced something similar in your own community? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
