Part-way through the 1994 NSWRL season Beetson briefly replaced the sacked Mark Murray as coach of the Eastern Suburbs Roosters. This made him the second man in the history of the game, back then, to earn such an honour. By subscribing, you agree to SBSs terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS. (age23in1968). The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). ", 2023 NRL Signings Tracker: Montoya, Russell re-sign; Titans flyer extends, Judiciary Report: Reynolds among five hit with fines; Naden, Sipley facing bans, Mounties v Bulldogs | Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership | Grand Final Highlights, Colts v Knights | Women's Country Championships | Grand Final Highlights. He headed to Sydney a year after claiming a premiership with Redcliffe and made his name at Balmain, where he was coached by Harry Bath. Arthur Beetson, one of the genuine greats of the Australian game who was also a hugely popular and significant Aboriginal sporting figure, has died at the age of 66. In his lifetime Arthur was a leader and a larrikin. (age42in1968), Arthur Beetson OAM Arthur Beetson from tree beetson. The next year, 1970, was one of mixed fortunes, and harsh decision making. A pat on the back from his giant hand or a kind word with his big smile was magical, lives were changed and hard times werent so hard. The Carnival will be a smoke drug alcohol and sugar free event and all players have to complete a Health Check as a requirement to participate and in addition junior players must have attended school 90% of time. His statue stands with those of fellow Maroons greats Wally Lewis and Darren Lockyer at the northern end of the stadium precinct. The Roma-born Beetson, who steered the Maroons to victory in the first State of Origin match in 1980, died of a heart attack on the Gold Coast last December, aged 66. He represented Australia again at the 1968 Rugby League World Cup, playing at prop forward in the win against France in the tournament final. For further information please contact NPG Copyright. This great rugby player bagged his first man of the match award during the 1982 State of Origin Series. "He leaves a mighty footprint on rugby league that will guarantee he is remembered not just now, but forever.". The couple have three children, namely Lincoln, Mitchell and Jamie-Lee. He was a handy tennis player as a teenager, losing a regional final to a kid from Rockhampton named Rod Laver. WebState Of Origin 2012, game 3, and Billy Slater (on the commentary panel) talks about Arthur Beetson on the unveiling of his statue. The gathering rose to its feet and applauded as pallbearers strained every muscle to carry Beetson's white coffin, draped with an Aboriginal flag, a football and his No.11 Queensland jumper from the tunnel beside the field to the front of the marquee as a single didgeridoo played in the background. [26][27], In March 2022, it was announced that the decision not to name a stand at the new Sydney Football Stadium had been overturned by New South Wales sports minister Stuart Ayres. Beetson would later captain the Kangaroos against France on the 1973 tour and continue as captain for Australias 1975 victory at the World Series, making him the first Indigenous Australian to captain a national team. was founded in 2010 in honour of Arthur Beetson by the Former Origin Greats through their Closing the Gap initiative. Wally tied the knot with a woman named Jacqueline, whom he had first met as a child. David Gallop, the head of the NRL, added: "Arthur was such an imposing figure in so many ways that I think everyone is having trouble accepting that this has happened. Tom Raudonikis, Beetson's close friend and NSW foe in the first Origin battle, broke up the gathering when he said Beetson's Aboriginal heritage had not helped his sense of direction. Monday Buzz: Arthur Beetsons family call for review over Sydney stadium naming farce | The Australian All sections Show all sections Home "He'd be the best junior footballer in Australia.". Rugby league legends Arthur Beetson (left) and Wally Lewis at the official opening of Suncorp Stadium in 2003. In camp, Brad spoke to the players about his famous father and his Indigenous history. The Dolphins have been handed a mouthwatering clash against the Roosters to open their inaugural NRL campaign in round one of 2023. He was revered by a nation as the greatest rugby league forward of Arthur Henry ''Artie'' Beetson was born in Roma, Queensland, on January 22, 1945 to Bill Beetson from Brewarrina and Marie, a member of the Stolen WebBorn Arthur Henry Beetson on January 2, 1945, he was the fourth of seven children to Marie and Bill Beetson. He was inducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2003. Beetson continued to play for the Tigers until 1970 and then joined the Eastern Suburbs before migrating to the Eels in 1979. "I tell them that I think I am a successful Indigenous man because I am a good father and a role model back home.". While his fitness had also been queried, it only took a first half burst from Beetson, including two tries, to completely rout the opposition. Also that year he became the seventh selected post-war "Immortal" of the Australian game with Churchill, Raper, Gasnier, Fulton, Langlands and Wally Lewis. We'd go to his place when he was at the Gold Coast for family meetings and he was always fun.". He was also an integral part of consecutive premierships for Easts in 1974 and 1975, and cemented his international status when he led Australia to World Cup victory in 1975 and 1977. He is a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). [15] In June 2008, he was chosen in the Queensland Rugby League's Team of the Century at second-row. "Keiron runs the Deadly Choices program, and along with us is trying to create young leaders," Brad said. The accolades continued with an Australian Sports Medal and then a Centenary Medal and as time wore on, Beetson came to be recognised as Australias best ever forward. After retirement, Beetson went on to coach the Queensland team for Origin, securing four wins from six series. Wed 01 Aug, 2018 State of Origin. Announced on 17 April 2008, the team is the panel's majority choice for each of the thirteen starting positions and four interchange players. Brandon Beetson when he was three, with his dad, Nigel Beetson. Arthur Beetson playing his last game for the Parramatta Eels in 1980. Beetson was also selected to make his representative dbut for Australia against England and set up the first two tries. He started playing rugby league at age six, left school at sixteen and at nineteen moved to Brisbane to play first grade for Redcliffe. He played between the 1960s and 1981. Visit us, learn with us, support us or work with us! Beetson's Queensland State of Origin number 11 jersey was "retired" in 2014. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on. On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves. He also captained Queensland for the final 'traditional' interstate match in 1981 and at the end of the season the Dolphins were beaten in the final minute of the grand final by Southern Suburbs. Beetsons mother was a member of the Stolen Generations and had grown up on the Cherbourg Mission before moving to Buderim and then Roma, where Beetson was born. Dad through his life had a passion of improving the lives of young Indigenous people, its great that the foundation can continue this by using his other great passion of Rugby League as the vehicle to do so.. I have takenJack out to Cherbourg to meet the mob because we have family out there. "He was ahead of his time and an awesome grandfather. The year the junior events that will take place prior to the start of the Mens & Womens competitions have been expanded. Returning to Brisbane, he became captain-coach at Redcliffe and was also appointed coach of the Queensland state team, who won the State of Origin three years straight from 1982 and again in 1989. mother: June Lewis. Making the move to play for Sydney powerhouse, Balmain, in 1966, his commitment to training was questioned in some quarters, but his talent was undeniable and earned him a place in Australias third and deciding Test against Great Britain in 1966. Beetson played for Balmain, Eastern Suburbs the team now known as Sydney Roosters and Parramatta, as well as in England with the Robins. A bronze statue of this rugby player has been installed at the Lang Park stadium in Brisbane, in honour of his talent. He captained Queensland in the inaugural State of Origin match in 1980, which ushered in a new era for the game. ", Russell Crowe, the actor and co-owner of South Sydney Rabbitohs, tweeted: "Arthur Beetson. The accolades continued with an Australian Sports Medal and then a Centenary Medal and as time wore on, Beetson came to be recognised as Australias best ever forward. In 1977, he travelled overseas along with the team to nations such as Japan and Europe. Australia's prime minister, Julia Gillard, joined the tributes. You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content. Beetson then went on to coach Queensland, Eastern Suburbs and, briefly, Australia before being appointed recruitment officer for the renamed Roosters. He played first grade for Roma until he was 19 as a centre and a wing and then signed by Redcliffe to join the Brisbane competition. "He was an immortal, named in the team of the century, a member of the hall of fame he was a true champion. The first Indigenous sports player to captain Australia in a major sport, Arthur Beetson emerged out of a sometimes rocky rugby league career as one of the eight Immortals of the game. We are actually from the Sunshine Coast but our Stolen Generation got taken out to Cherbourg.". The players were taught an Indigenous dance to do in response to the Haka. Brad Beetson, the son of Arthur Beetson and Board Member of the Arthur Beetson Foundation said of his fathers legacy: The Foundation has secured scholarships for Indigenous students to study at some of Brisbanes best schools and has continued the familys long association with the game. "Others may have made it possible but Arthur gave birth to the passion of Origin," Carr said. Web331 subscribers In praise of Arthur Beetson, Godfather of Queensland State of Origin, whose famous #11 jersey will be rested for the hundredth game this year. Former Roosters great and Australia teammate Ron Coote spoke of Beetson's unmatched feats as a player. Jack, who plays his junior footy with the Nambour Crushers, said it was "definitely special" to be playing in the same position as his illustrious grandfather. A lover of rugby from the very start he would listen to league on the radio as a kid and watch the Sunday games before joining the local side at aged 6. That legacy is not just about playing with toughness and skill as a footballer, but also about embracing Indigenous cultureand becoming a leader off the field. His autobiography Big Artie was also released that year, using the name popularised by the crowds for the lovable forward. Arthur Beetson playing his last game for the Parramatta Eels in 1980. He was quickly signed to Balmain in the National Rugby League where he established himself as formidable on the field. The highlight of this tournament was that the youngster got a chance to play alongside the legendary player, Arthur Beetson, who was his role model. The program continues to operate in schools around Queensland. "He is focused on that because it is more important than footy to start with.". Arthur Henry ''Artie'' Beetson was born in Roma, Queensland, on January 22, 1945 to Bill Beetson from Brewarrina and Marie, a member of the Stolen Generations who had left Cherbourg Mission before moving to Buderim and then Roma. By subscribing, you agree to SBSs terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS. A standout forward, Beetson was named club player of the year in 1965 when Redcliffe took out the Brisbane premiership. [21] It was unveiled on 3 July 2012. Beetson is often regarded as Australia's best ever forward, and in 2000 he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal, then in 2001 the Centenary Medal "for service to Australian society through the sport of rugby league". On his passing so that Arthurs remarkable legacy lives on the Arthur Beeston Foundation was set up to help close that gap by engaging the community to empower Indigenous Australians to better outcomes in health, education, sport, employment and business development. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified. Beetson continued to represent Australia at the 1972 Rugby League World Cup, playing against Great Britain at prop forward in the tournament final which was drawn. children: Jamie-Lee Lewis, Lincoln Lewis, Mitchell Lewis. "His brilliance on the field remains seared into the memory of rugby league fans," she said in a statement on Thursday, praising his influence on indigenous Australians. The very next year, Wally was promoted to the designation of the vice-captain for the 1982 tour of Great Britain and France. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the, Let me know when this portraits on display. The Queensland Murri Carnival will be back at the Redcliffe Dolphins Moreton Daily Stadium from Tuesday, 27 September to Sunday, 2 October! Beetson's mother was a member of the Stolen Generation. The great League coach Jack Gibson once said Arthur Beetson could ''do it all'' on the football field and ''sell tickets'' too. He then stopped playing for this team, but continued mentoring the players for many more games. Arthur's Mother Marie was Kabi Kabi and his Father Bill was Waradjuri from NSW. "Jack is doing a level four in crime and justice at school, an adult level TAFE course that will qualify him to be a paralegal by the time he leaves. John Peard produced his 1975 premiership ring and thanked Beetson, promising he would be remembered forever. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. In 2010 a program was founded and named in honour of Arthur Beetson, the ARTIE Academy (Achieving Results Through Indigenous Education). Mal Meninga and league Immortal Arthur Beetson during the 1989 Origin series. An inspiration and role model for his people, Arthur was resolute in his beliefs about the absolute need for young Indigenous Australians to be educated, to finish school and to be employed. After retirement, Beetson went on to coach the Queensland team for Origin, securing four wins from six series. This Australian team went on to taste success during this overseas tour. Beetson, the first Indigenous Australian to captain a national team in any sport, was riding his bike at Paradise Point around 9:15am (AEST) on Thursday when witnesses said he suffered severe chest Beetson's first job was as a postie cycling around Roma delivering mail which kept him fit to play football. Jack's father Brad Beetson, a director of the Arthur Beetson Foundation which runs the annual Murri Carnival from which the touring team was selected, was proud of his son's achievement. An Arthur Beetson Medallist is a person who like the great man himself cares deeply about their people and honours their culture while displaying Arthurs terrific talents, skills, and humility on or off the playing field. was founded in 2010 in honour of Arthur Beetson by the Former Origin Greats through their Closing the Gap initiative. The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Arthur Beetson was a great Australian; one of the greatest.