The Arthur Beetson trophy was created in 2012 and is awarded annually to the winner of the Indigenous All Stars rugby league match. Revealed: the other man in the famous Beetson Origin photo. 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. However, in the NSWRL tournament of 1992, he was unsuccessful to recreate the old magic and the team ended up faring badly. He is also remembered as man of great humility who cared deeply about his people and culture. He was inducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2003. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on. Arthur Beetson's future talents as a ball-playing front-rower were honed in his teenage years when he played at centre or five-eighth in his home-town of Roma in western Queensland. 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 captained Queensland in the inaugural State of Origin match in 1980, which ushered in a new era for the game. In the year 1986, Lewis was appointed as the captain and coach of the Wynnum-Manly team, which included iconic players like Gene Miles and Colin Scott. The amazing legacy that Arthur Beetson created in rugby league and Australian sport in general will be celebrated with the Dolphins historic first match in the NRL. His father was a sportsperson who represented clubs like Western Suburb Panthers, known as Wests, as well as Souths Logan Magpies. On 1 December 2011, Beetson died following a heart attack while riding his bicycle at Paradise Point on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Arthur Beetson was a great Australian; one of the greatest. Beetson: rare talent, role model and cultural icon Beetson had two brothers and a sister. His combined passion for club, state and his indigenous heritage was inspiring to all Australians and will never be forgotten.". "Arthur was a great mentor for all Indigenous people, not only in rugby league but in life away from football," said Yow Yeh, whose uncle Kevin followed Beetson from Roma in country Queensland to Redcliffe and then Balmain in the 60s to play rugby league. ", Russell Crowe, the actor and co-owner of South Sydney Rabbitohs, tweeted: "Arthur Beetson. Rugby He joined the Parramatta Eels in 1979 and in 1980 captained Queensland to victory in the inaugural State or Origin series. Beetson's mother was a member of the Stolen Generation. Beetson died from a heart attack on 1 December 2011 on the Gold Coast, Gathered at Redcliffe's Dolphin Oval where Beetson began his career in 1964, they heard stories about how he got his speed and footwork. National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. Beetson then went on to coach Queensland, Eastern Suburbs and, briefly, Australia before being appointed recruitment officer for the renamed Roosters. Across the three teams he played 223 games, scoring 24 tries and sealing the deal with 3 premierships, including two as captain of the Eastern Suburbs. [21] It was unveiled on 3 July 2012. In 2009, Lewis penned his autobiography titled Out of the Shadows: A Champions Return to The Spotlight. Despite his playing time being curtailed by injury, he was chosen from the reserves to captain Queensland in the first State of Origin match, played against New South Wales in 1980. His skill as a footballer was matched only by his skill as an eater, earning nicknames such as 'Meat Pie Artie'. Mr Johnson said that with David Fifita being the latest graduate from the Carnival and the Under 15 program into the NRL that the elite clubs should see the Carnival as a valid pathway event and hopefully not just young players but senior players who have been overlooked in the past might get their shot just like Michael Purcell from Mitchell who is now an Intrust Super Cup superstar. It is only fitting that the first Arthur Beetson Medallist is Johnathan Thurston. He was conducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2003 and was selected as the seventh Immortal of Rugby League in 2004. During his debut match, held at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Australia registered a win by a thumping 43-3 margin against France. Born in Roma, Queensland, in 1945, Arthur Artie Beetson started his career at local level as a centre. Also in 1987 he received the Medal of the Order of Australia "in recognition of service to the sport of Rugby League". Heres a range of information about planning your visit, our history and more! He was made a life member of the Sydney Cricket Ground and a plaque in the Walk of Honour there commemorates his career. Arthur Beetson (Artie) You were an inspirational indigenous Australian who will be missed bye all, especially your family and friends. He was a handy tennis player as a teenager, losing a regional final to a kid from Rockhampton named Rod Laver. While their son Lincoln created waves in the television circuit as an actor, daughter Jamie proved her prowess as a Water-polo player. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the, Let me know when this portraits on display. "He was ahead of his time and an awesome grandfather. After a rough education he left school at 16 and worked at the local post-office, as a clerk and a mail man. Announced on 17 April 2008, the team is the panel's majority choice for each of the thirteen starting positions and four interchange players. of December 2011, Beetson died following a heart attack at the age of 66. was set up by Arthurs sons to continue on his legacy and to continue on his two greatest passions: helping people and Rugby League. ARTIE Academy (Achieving Results Through Indigenous Education). At club level, suspension denied him the chance to be part of Balmains premiership victory in 1969. Steven Johnson Chair of the Arthur Beetson Foundation said that whilst the key focus is on life outcomes it was important that the Carnival expand the junior participation to create better player pathways into the NRL and Intrust Super Cup for young murri talent that may otherwise not be afforded that opportunity. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present. Wally was honoured with the Australian Sports Medal in the year 2000 for his contribution towards the sport. The turnout of around 600 included former England half Tommy Bishop, retired Australia captains Darren Lockyer, Mal Meninga, Wally Lewis and Gorden Tallis and international players Brad Fittler, Gary Belcher and Petero Civoniceva. Wally Lewis was born to Jimmy and June on the 1st of December, 1959 at the Hawthorne region, located in the state of Queensland, Australia. "Not everyone can be an NRL star, but we tell the players that they can still be leaders in their community, which is more important. Part-way through the 1994 NSWRL season Beetson briefly replaced the sacked Mark Murray as coach of the Eastern Suburbs Roosters. He was quickly signed to Balmain in the National Rugby League where he established himself as formidable on the field. However, by the time he was playing with Brisbane side Redcliffe, he was in Mal Meninga and league Immortal Arthur Beetson during the 1989 Origin series. Beetson played for Balmain, Eastern Suburbs the team now known as Sydney Roosters and Parramatta, as well as in England with the Robins. 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. The ARTIE Academy operates with an innovative, high expectation, consistent and positive mindset. Monday Buzz: Arthur Beetsons family call for review over Sydney stadium naming farce | The Australian All sections Show all sections Home Lewis, who spoke of catching Beetson in his hotel room the night before an Origin game playing cards with rival NSW coach Jack Gibson, read out tributes from every player in the 1980 Origin side. Meanwhile, having left Balmain, he led Eastern Suburbs to the premierships of 1974 and 1975. Thu 1 Dec 2011 08.22 EST Arthur Beetson, one of the genuine greats of the Australian game who was also a hugely popular and significant Aboriginal sporting figure, Artie Beetson dead. of December 2011, Beetson died following a heart attack at the age of 66. was set up by Arthurs sons to continue on his legacy and to continue on his two greatest passions: helping people and Rugby League. He played in 29 Tests for the Kangaroos, and was their captain at the 1975 and 1977 World Cups becoming the first indigenous Australian to captain his country in any sport. He started playing rugby league at age six, left school at sixteen and at nineteen moved to Brisbane to play first grade for Redcliffe. 16 in Rugby League Weeks Top 100 players: 1992. 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. He played his first game of football at age eight and had his first "He got to run out on the field before State of Origin the night Queensland returned dad's jersey and he is in tune with what dad achieved. With a new beginning, and thanks to the influence of coach Don Furner, it was a fitter and more committed Beetson who returned to the Australian team for the 1972 World Cup, and toured with the Kangaroos in 1973. He was a man who had time for everyone and freely gave his time to everyone. He was conducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2003 and was selected as the seventh Immortal of Rugby League in 2004. The under 15s team will form the base of the Murri under 16s side which will take on the NSW Koori team this year. He is a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). He was awarded the Order of Australia in 1987, and entered the National Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2003. 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. [25] That reasoning was criticised by NRL historian David Middleton, and former players Peter Wynn and Mick Cronin. While he was forced to play with the NSW Blues, due to the team selection criteria being based upon the location of the club where the player was contracted rather than their home state, his heart was always with Queensland. A funeral was held on Friday at the Redcliffe Leagues Club where Beetson began his career in 1964. He then pushed, unsuccessfully, for an Australia Day match against the Australian national team.[9]. He was married in 1974 and working as the purchasing officer for the Eastern Suburbs Club settled down in Denistone with his wife and four year old son, Scott. Under his captaincy, the team registered a win in its very first game. At the end of 1970, looking to rejuvenate his career, Beetson left Balmain to join Easts (Roosters). However, by the time he was playing with Brisbane side Redcliffe, he was in the forward line, and it was there that he became a member of that teams 1965 premiership win. He continued to coach through the 1990s for the Cronulla Sharks as well as enjoying some stints in commentary and as a recruitment officer for the Eastern Suburbs and Queensland. Source: Arthur Beetson Foundation. 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. WebARTHUR Beetsons son has slammed the New South Wales Rugby League as pathetic for claiming his father as a True Blue. 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 Arthur Beetson Medal is not necessarily awarded annually but only when appropriate to a person and the time to do so. The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. The laughter flowed for much of the 90-minute service like Beetson's silky passes which set up tries for teammates. The next year, 1970, was one of mixed fortunes, and harsh decision making. Visit us, learn with us, support us or work with us! Photograph: Greg Garay/AP. "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. What a great man. The Dolphins have been handed a mouthwatering clash against the Roosters to open their inaugural NRL campaign in round one of 2023. [25] Rugby league commentator Ray Hadley also criticised the decision after an attempted compromise with an offer put forward to have Beetson honoured with a statue instead of a grandstand. Arthur Henry ''Artie'' Beetson was born in Roma, Queensland, on January 22, 1945, son of a bush worker and a mother who was one of the stolen generations. Lewis then, represented the team Valleys Diehards in the Brisbane Rugby League Premiership tournament which was held in 1978. The Roosters said in a statement: "The Sydney Roosters are devastated to hear about the sudden death of club and rugby league legend Arthur Beetson. While his tour was marred by a shoulder injury he set up two tries in the third Test, helping to secure the match. ARTIE inspires its participants, encourages and informs them of their progress and celebrates their successes. However, during his tenure as the coach, Gold Coast Seagulls lost 37 of the 44 games they played. 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. Beetson's big frame, pure speed and brilliant ball skills won countless games for all his teams. The son of rugby league immortal Arthur Beetson has called for a review of the naming of four grandstands at the new $850 million Sydney Football Stadium following the snubbing of his father. "Others may have made it possible but Arthur gave birth to the passion of Origin," Carr said. 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.
