https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/wally-lewis-6167.php. 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, Copyright 2023 - Arthur Beetson Foundation. Beetson, an old-fashioned ball-playing prop better known as Big Artie who also played a key role in the establishment of the State of Origin concept and had a stint with Hull KR, was in England earlier this month leading a supporters group during the Gillette Four Nations series. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people. Not only did he receive two Man of the Match awards in the State of Origin series, but was also felicitated with the Golden Boot Award for being the Worlds Best international Player. While his tour was marred by a shoulder injury he set up two tries in the third Test, helping to secure the match. After stepping down as Queensland coach following the 1990 State of Origin series loss to NSW, Beetson became part of the ABC's commentary team in 1991 for their Saturday Afternoon League telecasts alongside chief caller, former Western Suburbs winger Warren Boland, as well as his former Eastern Suburbs and Parramatta teammate John Peard and Canterbury-Bankstown media liaison Debbie Spillane, both of whom worked on the sidelines. "Those kids have got to have minimum 90 per cent school attendance and all must have a complete health check to help close the gap. Revealed: the other man in the famous Beetson Origin photo. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. Also in 1987 he received the Medal of the Order of Australia "in recognition of service to the sport of Rugby League". As a young kid growing up in country Roma, Beetson's father would get his .303 rifle from behind the kitchen door as he ran down to the local creek dodging and swerving all the way. was founded in 2010 in honour of Arthur Beetson by the Former Origin Greats through their Closing the Gap initiative. On November 7, 1992, this iconic rugby player played the final game of his career against a South Australian team, held at Adelaide. The same year, he also helped Australia defeat New Zealand in the mid-season test series in consecutive games, achieving a clean sweep. In camp, Brad spoke to the players about his famous father and his Indigenous history. Captain-coach of Redcliffe in 1981, Beetson was coach of the Queensland side from 1981 to 1984, and again in 1989 and 1990. "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. Thu 30 Nov, 2017 Immortals. We are actually from the Sunshine Coast but our Stolen Generation got taken out to Cherbourg.". Beetson's first job was as a postie cycling around Roma delivering mail which kept him fit to play football. The legacy of rugby league Immortal Arthur Beetson lives on through his grandson Jack Beetson, a towering prop who toured New Zealand last month with the WebArthur Beetson tribute. Part-way through the 1994 NSWRL season Beetson briefly replaced the sacked Mark Murray as coach of the Eastern Suburbs Roosters. [28] Beetson's son Mark said the naming of a stand after his father would be a proud moment for his family who described his father as being "up there" with the likes of Cathy Freeman and Lionel Rose as one of Australia's indigenous sporting icons. Beetson switched to Eastern Suburbs in 1971 where he developed his skills further under coaches Don Furner and later Jack Gibson and led the Roosters to consecutive premiership wins. Rugby league great Arthur Beetson died this morning at the age of 66 after suffering a heart attack. "It is important because it is our heritage, and it is where we come from.". 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 was recognised as rugby leagues seventh Immortal in September 2003. "Instead of going west like he said, he went south," laughed Raudonikis. All rights reserved. He was known and immortalised by his performance of eating 11 hot dogs before a gala dinner for the Australian team in 1973. "He was ahead of his time and an awesome grandfather. [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. Wed 01 Aug, 2018 State of Origin. You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content. Arthur Beetson He joined the Parramatta Eels in 1979 and in 1980 captained Queensland to victory in the inaugural State or Origin series. "Others may have made it possible but Arthur gave birth to the passion of Origin," Carr said. The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Beetson He then pushed, unsuccessfully, for an Australia Day match against the Australian national team.[9]. He was quickly signed to Balmain in the National Rugby League where he established himself as formidable on the field. Arthur Beetson started playing Rugby League in Roma, Queensland at age six. Beetson returned to Queensland for one final year of playing with his old Redcliffe team in 1981. After the 1970 NSWRFL season Beetson left Balmain to join the Eastern Suburbs club where he would stay from 1971 to 1978. (modern), The popular Arthur Beetson, here taking part in the 2000 Olympic torch relay, has died at the age of 66. 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. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Fittingly, he led the Queenslanders to a 20-10 victory at Lang Park. WebBorn in Roma, Queensland, in 1945, Arthur Artie' Beetson started his career at local level as a centre. The Australian Rugby League chief executive, Geoff Carr, added his own tribute, recalling the 1980 Origin match. The Dolphins have been handed a mouthwatering clash against the Roosters to open their inaugural NRL campaign in round one of 2023. A change of rules in 1980 allowed a proud Beetson to lead the Maroons to a 20-10 victory over NSW in the very first State of Origin match at Brisbanes Lang Park. His best football is certainly in front of him. ARTIE Academy (Achieving Results Through Indigenous Education). A passionate player, Beetson was sent off 12 times during his career, battled on and off with weight issues and racked up an impressive list of injuries, however both on and off the field he was adored by the fans and made news wherever he went. Under his captaincy, the team registered a win in its very first game. Also that year he became the seventh selected post-war "Immortal" of the Australian game with Churchill, Raper, Gasnier, Fulton, Langlands and Wally Lewis. The Arthur Beetson trophy was created in 2012 and is awarded annually to the winner of the Indigenous All Stars rugby league match. "He'd be the best junior footballer in Australia.". A recruitment officer for the Roosters, he is a state selector for the Queensland team, and Australian Test selector. Arthur had 4 brothers: Benard Charles Beetson and 3 other siblings. Arthur married first name Beetson (born glynn). Arthur married Noelene Beetson (born Holloway). Beetson's Queensland State of Origin number 11 jersey was "retired" in 2014. "Dad gave him a few tips, but it was more about how to carry himself in life more than football. Dolphins to play Roosters in inaugural game celebrating (age42in1968), Arthur Beetson OAM Monday Buzz: Arthur Beetsons family call for review over Sydney stadium naming farce | The Australian All sections Show all sections Home Arthur Henry Artie Beetson "One of rugby league's most well respected and liked characters, Artie will always hold a special place in the hearts of everyone associated with the Roosters. He captain-coached Easts in 1977 and 1978, then joined Parramatta for 1979 and 1980. In 1977, he travelled overseas along with the team to nations such as Japan and Europe. In 2008, rugby league in Australia's centenary year, Beetson was named at second-row forward in the Toowoomba and South West Team of the Century. Beetson continued to play for the Tigers until 1970 and then joined the Eastern Suburbs before migrating to the Eels in 1979. I have takenJack out to Cherbourg to meet the mob because we have family out there. Beetson's coaching career began while still playing for Easts in 1977. 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. 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. Arthur Beetson Rugby league immortal Arthur Beetson was farewelled with tributes, poems, tears, cheers and laughter as family and former players described him as a man mountain with a heart from Phar Lap's ghost. The very next year, Wally was promoted to the designation of the vice-captain for the 1982 tour of Great Britain and France. The legendary Arthur Beetson was the first Aboriginal man to coach in the NRL. Wally was honoured with the Australian Sports Medal in the year 2000 for his contribution towards the sport. "Jack has been privileged in his life with what dad has achieved and what we get to do as a family," Brad said. The Queensland Murri Carnival will be back at the Redcliffe Dolphins Moreton Daily Stadium from Tuesday, 27 September to Sunday, 2 October! However, in the NSWRL tournament of 1992, he was unsuccessful to recreate the old magic and the team ended up faring badly. We grew up in a little place called Brewarrina which is out near Bourke, and my old man wasnt that keen on the big smoke. But four decades on it was Arthurs son, Mark Beetson, who helped get Brandon on board at the Roosters. ARTIE is an academy that students are proud to be a part of. [28] Mark Beetson also thanked The Daily Telegraph and its readers for lobbying for the change.[28]. Beetson also coached the Australian team in 1983, Easts from 1985 to 1988, and Cronulla in 1992 and 1993. You were a proud man, a At club level, suspension denied him the chance to be part of Balmains premiership victory in 1969. "He leaves a mighty footprint on rugby league that will guarantee he is remembered not just now, but forever.". 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. There would be no State of Origin but for Arthur. He even scored a hat-trick in a match against the St Helens Rugby Football Club, making him a favourite amongst Football fans. Throughout his career he championed both the bush and indigenous Australia and inspired young players.". Michael McQuillan's Classic Photographs, Ern McQuillan OAM 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. 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 Artie statue officially unveiled His autobiography Big Artie was also released that year, using the name popularised by the crowds for the lovable forward. Biography - Arthur Henry (Artie) Beetson - Indigenous Beetson joined the Parramatta Eels in 1979. The artwork on the Roosters Legends Round jersey pays tribute to the late and great legend of rugby league Arthur Beetson, who was in his own words "a very proud Australian, a very proud Queenslander, but also a very proud Aboriginal."