Wally tied the knot with a woman named Jacqueline, whom he had first met as a child. "He is focused on that because it is more important than footy to start with.". "I watched quite a bit of him [on video] and it was awesome the things he could do on a football field, just how he could play like a halfback and do a forward's job as well," Jack said. Interviews and feature reports from NITV. However, after being a part of the team for just two seasons, Wally was asked to leave the team by the teams coach Wayne Barnett. In 1973 he became the first Aboriginal to captain Australia in any sport. Michael McQuillan's Classic Photographs, Ern McQuillan OAM "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. "It brought tears to my eyes when he got in the team," Brad said. He then stopped playing for this team, but continued mentoring the players for many more games. Photograph: Greg Garay/AP. In February 2008, Beetson was named in a list of Australia's 100 Greatest Players (19082007) which was commissioned by the NRL and ARL to celebrate the code's centenary year in Australia. He passed away in 2011. Arthur RIP Artie, what a legend. (modern), The popular Arthur Beetson, here taking part in the 2000 Olympic torch relay, has died at the age of 66. Arthur Henry Artie Beetson WebArthur Beetson was a great Australian; one of the greatest. A bronze statue of this rugby player has been installed at the Lang Park stadium in Brisbane, in honour of his talent. In his death Arthur sadly became the face of closing the gap, dying 15 years before the Australian average life span and from heart disease and diabetes. ", Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. 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.. The Carnival is much more than Rugby League as it also has a major focus on Health Vocation and Education. 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. WebArthur 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 His main position was at prop. All rights reserved. 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. "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. 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. Beetson returned to Queensland for one final year of playing with his old Redcliffe team in 1981. "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. Thu 10 Nov 2022, 01:31 PM. His father was a bushworker, lent his hand to such labour as building cattle yards. [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. After the 1970 NSWRFL season Beetson left Balmain to join the Eastern Suburbs club where he would stay from 1971 to 1978. Dolphins to play Roosters in inaugural game celebrating He is also remembered as man of great humility who cared deeply about his people and culture. 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. 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. The next year, 1970, was one of mixed fortunes, and harsh decision making. 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. Captain-coach of Redcliffe in 1981, Beetson was coach of the Queensland side from 1981 to 1984, and again in 1989 and 1990. An academy that expects them to achieve to the best of their ability. Beetson has also spent many years as a recruitment officer for both Eastern Suburbs and Queensland. Born Arthur Henry Beetson on January 2, 1945, he was the fourth of seven children to Marie and Bill Beetson. "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. During the Rugby Football League Season of 1983-84, he represented the first division team Wakefield Trinity. 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. Beetson's Queensland State of Origin number 11 jersey was "retired" in 2014. Source: Arthur Beetson Foundation. [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. In his lifetime Arthur was a leader and a larrikin. A 1992 poll rated him at sixteen in the games top 100 players; the NRL named him an Immortal in 2003; and in 2008, he was named in the Australian and the Queensland Team of the Century. As a strong believer in need for young Indigenous Australians to be educated, to finish school and to be employed and an inspirational role model for many Indigenous people, Beetson was proud to be associated with the program. 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. However, in the NSWRL tournament of 1992, he was unsuccessful to recreate the old magic and the team ended up faring badly. Brad Beetson, the Arthur Beetson Foundation and the Queensland Rugby League are shocked that NSW officials would formally include Beetson in their new initiative True Blue an organisation recognising past NSW players. He joined the Parramatta Eels in 1979 and in 1980 captained Queensland to victory in the inaugural State or Origin series. Beetson continued to play for the Tigers until 1970 and then joined the Eastern Suburbs before migrating to the Eels in 1979. Rugby WebARTHUR Beetsons son has slammed the New South Wales Rugby League as pathetic for claiming his father as a True Blue. Arthur Beetson (Artie) You were an inspirational indigenous Australian who will be missed bye all, especially your family and friends. Arthur Beetson playing his last game for the Parramatta Eels in 1980. He was made a life member of the Sydney Cricket Ground and a plaque in the Walk of Honour there commemorates his career. [23], In February 2022, Beetson's family and supporters expressed their dismay at the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust's decision not to nominate Beetson for the honour of having one of four new grandstands at the new Sydney Football Stadium being named in his honour, despite overwhelming public support. Arthur Beetson - National Rugby League Hall Of Fame [24], Chairman of the SCG Trust heritage committee Maurice Newman said that Beetson "didn't make the cut" because he was a Queenslander, rejecting the assertion of it being a "snub" and questioned why there wasn't a grandstand named after Beetson in his home state at a venue such as Lang Park. 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. Arthur married Evelyn Charlotte Beetson (born McEnallay) on month day 1937, at age 21 at marriage place. Evelyn was born in 1914, in Nyngan, New South Wales. They had 2 children: Allan Arthur Beetson and one other child. Arthur lived in 1936, at address. His occupation was occupation. Arthur passed away on month day 1993, at age 78 at death place. 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. Wed 01 Aug, 2018 State of Origin. 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. [22], The Arthur Beetson Foundation was created to engage the community "to empower Indigenous Australians to better outcomes in health, education, sport, employment and business development", and the Arthur Beetson Medal honours rugby league players who have distinguished themselves who have shown not only skill on the field but some of the qualities embodied by Beetson and cares deeply about their people. Beetson was also selected to make his representative dbut for Australia against England and set up the first two tries. After winning the club's player of the year award in 1965 as well as the Brisbane Rugby League premiership with them, he moved to Sydney to play in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership with the Balmain club. 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. After a short stint as coach of the national team in 1983, he returned to the Eastern Suburbs where he was awarded Coach of the Year for his efforts in 1987. At club level, suspension denied him the chance to be part of Balmains premiership victory in 1969. He was known for playing for Easts and captaining Australia. SBS acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and their connections and continuous care for the skies, lands and waterways throughout Australia. Beetson's coaching career began while still playing for Easts in 1977. Mal Meninga and league Immortal Arthur Beetson during the 1989 Origin series. Arthur Beetson The legendary Arthur Beetson was the first Aboriginal man to coach in the NRL. [20], The Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh announced that a bronze statue of Beetson was to be situated at Lang Park. The same year Beetson received a Medal of the Order of Australia "in recognition of service to the sport of Rugby League". While still playing in Sydney for Parramatta, Beetson achieved further immortality as captain of Queensland in the inaugural 1980 State of Origin game, won 2010 by Queensland on 8 July. Record information. He started playing rugby league at age six, left school at sixteen and at nineteen moved to Brisbane to play first grade for Redcliffe. Birth: x xxx xxxx xxxxxxxxx Lancashire, England: Marriage: Born in Roma, Queensland, in 1945, Arthur Artie Beetson started his career at local level as a centre. WebBeetson was born in Roma, Queensland. He was quickly signed to Balmain in the National Rugby League where he established himself as formidable on the field. [17] 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. Arthur Beetson (Artie) You were an inspirational indigenous Australian who will be missed bye all, especially your family and friends. Beetson started his career with Redcliffe Dolpins in the Brisbane competition before being lured to Sydney to play with the Balmain Tigers. Under his captaincy, the team registered a win in its very first game. Beetson captained Eastern Suburbs to the 1974 and 1975 premierships. The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. [18], In 2009 Beetson was inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame.[19]. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons. Arthur Beetson, Australian great, dies at 66 - The Guardian Securing himself a position in the grand final team, Beetson was so impressive he was selected to play for the Australian team in his debut year in the NRL. Beetson was named Rugby League Week's seventh Immortal in 2003. It wasn't until he arrived in the big smoke of Brisbane in 1965 that coach Henry Holloway suggested a move into the forwards. [21] It was unveiled on 3 July 2012. His off-loading and attacking workrate broke the mould for front rowers and changed the way they played the game. Arthur married first name Beetson (born glynn). Arthur married Noelene Beetson (born Holloway). Noelene was born on August 26 1946, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. His occupation was occupation. Arthur passed away of cause of death on month day 2011, at age 66 at death place. Arthur Beetson was born on January 22 1945, in Roma. In camp, Brad spoke to the players about his famous father and his Indigenous history. The Arthur Beetson Foundation now honours Indigenous Australians who help Arthurs legacy live on by themselves making an outstanding contribution to Queensland Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people through Rugby League by presenting them with the Arthur Beetson Medal. was founded in 2010 in honour of Arthur Beetson by the Former Origin Greats through their Closing the Gap initiative. Wally next joined the team Brisbane Broncos in 1988, the same year as its formation. In the same year, he represented a rugby team from Oceania as its captain, leading the side to a 54-4 victory over a French team. Arthur Beetson jersey artwork This Easts team would go down as one of the greatest club sides in rugby league history. The Foundation was also appointed by Queensland Rugby League to conduct the annual Murri Carnival and uses the event to reach over 30,000 people with its goal of better outcomes in health, education and sport for Indigenous Australians. Arthur Beetson (Artie) You were an inspirational indigenous Australian who will be missed bye all, especially your family and friends. "It was a mixture of dances that we have learned because we are all from different parts of Queensland and different tribal groups," Jack said. 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. 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 Australia's prime minister, Julia Gillard, joined the tributes. You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content. The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency, gelatin silver photograph on paper (, The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. (age23in1968). He captained Australia in France in 1973, and against Great Britain in the second Test of 1974.