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. Arthur Beetson dies after heart attack- Rugby league great Arthur Beetson has died aged 66 after suffering a heart attack on the Gold Coast. He represented Australia, New South Wales and Queensland all between 1964 and 1981. However, during his tenure as the coach, Gold Coast Seagulls lost 37 of the 44 games they played. Copyright 2023 - Arthur Beetson Foundation. The Murri Carnival was started in 2011 by former Maroons star Tony Currie, who handed the running of it over to the Arthur Beetson Foundation after Beetson's death in December of that year. Photograph: Greg Garay/AP. So his death on Thursday, after collapsing while cycling on the Gold Coast, was a major shock. father: Jim Lewis. 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. He then stopped playing for this team, but continued mentoring the players for many more games. Also in 1987 he received the Medal of the Order of Australia "in recognition of service to the sport of Rugby League". The under 15s team will form the base of the Murri under 16s side which will take on the NSW Koori team this year. In his lifetime Arthur was a leader and a larrikin. The players were taught an Indigenous dance to do in response to the Haka. Rugby league great Arthur Beetson died this morning at the age of 66 after suffering a heart attack. He was known and immortalised by his performance of eating 11 hot dogs before a gala dinner for the Australian team in 1973. As part of the Centenary of League celebrations in 2008, Beetson was retrospectively awarded the Clive Churchill Medal as Man of the Match in the 1974 Grand final. 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. Arthur Beetson Foundation My WordPress Blog Also Known As: Walter James Lewis, The Emperor of Lang Park, children: Jamie-Lee Lewis, Lincoln Lewis, Mitchell Lewis, See the events in life of Wally Lewis in Chronological Order, (Australian Former Professional Rugby League Footballer), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ufc7CCvT7X0. The Dolphins have been handed a mouthwatering clash against the Roosters to open their inaugural NRL campaign in round one of 2023. I have takenJack out to Cherbourg to meet the mob because we have family out there. Arthur Beetson. 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 pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present. On the 1973 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France he was selected as Australia's vice captain, playing at prop forward in all three Ashes test matches. 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. Michael McQuillan's Classic Photographs, Ern McQuillan OAM His performance in this competition landed him a spot in the Australian national team in 1981. 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. WebAge: 63 Years, 63 Year Old Males. Grandson of Arthur Beetson following in famous foot "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. Arthur Henry "Artie" Beetson OAM (21 January 1945[5] 1 December 2011[6]) was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach. 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. In his lifetime Arthur was a leader and a larrikin. It wasn't until he arrived in the big smoke of Brisbane in 1965 that coach Henry Holloway suggested a move into the forwards. 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. He even scored a hat-trick in a match against the St Helens Rugby Football Club, making him a favourite amongst Football fans. "Dad gave him a few tips, but it was more about how to carry himself in life more than football. While his tour was marred by a shoulder injury he set up two tries in the third Test, helping to secure the match. He earned Kangaroos selection for the first time in 1966, and went on to captain Australia against France in 1973, against Great Britain in 1974, and for the Kangaroos successful World Series campaign of 1975. Arthur Henry Artie Beetson "He was ahead of his time and an awesome grandfather. This legendary rugby player fell prey to Epilepsy and even had to undergo a surgery in February 2007, to get rid of this ailment. Beetson also coached the Australian team in 1983, Easts from 1985 to 1988, and Cronulla in 1992 and 1993. 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. 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. "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. "I tell them that I think I am a successful Indigenous man because I am a good father and a role model back home.". "He was a leader for Indigenous people both on and off the field. An academy that expects them to achieve to the best of their ability. WebBorn in Roma, Queensland, in 1945, Arthur Artie' Beetson started his career at local level as a centre. 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. 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. His second son, Mitchell works at an FM radio station. This Australian team went on to taste success during this overseas tour. There would be no State of Origin but for Arthur. It is only fitting that the first Arthur Beetson Medallist is Johnathan Thurston. Arthur Beetson was selected as the seventh 'Immortal of Rugby League in 2004. Former Roosters great and Australia teammate Ron Coote spoke of Beetson's unmatched feats as a player. 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 Rugby league legends Arthur Beetson (left) and Wally Lewis at the official opening of Suncorp Stadium in 2003. Rugby All rights reserved. The teams in the annual Indigenous All Stars rugby league match compete for the Arthur Beetson Trophy. The Queensland Murri Carnival will be back at the Redcliffe Dolphins Moreton Daily Stadium from Tuesday, 27 September to Sunday, 2 October! (age42in1968), Arthur Beetson OAM 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. Born in Roma, Queensland, in 1945, Arthur Artie Beetson started his career at local level as a centre. Arthur Beetson WebMother: xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx (Born 1900)Spouse: Maria/Marie Ann (Palaia) Beatson (1932-xxxx ) 1207 People 9 Records 10 Sources: Arthur Beetson found in 17 trees View all. 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. 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. Dolphins to play Roosters in inaugural game celebrating 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. Fittingly, he led the Queenslanders to a 20-10 victory at Lang Park. 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. Interviews and feature reports from NITV. SBS acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and their connections and continuous care for the skies, lands and waterways throughout Australia. His father was a bushworker, lent his hand to such labour as building cattle yards. His combined passion for club, state and his indigenous heritage was inspiring to all Australians and will never be forgotten.". We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on. Mal Meninga and league Immortal Arthur Beetson during the 1989 Origin series. 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. Arthur Beetson playing his last game for the Parramatta Eels in 1980. He represented Australia again at the 1968 Rugby League World Cup, playing at prop forward in the win against France in the tournament final. Arthur With injury ruling him out of the 1967 Kangaroos tour, Beetson bounced back to play a major role in Australias 1968 World Cup victory. Beetson served a short stint as coach of the Kangaroos in 1983, and in the 1980s and 1990s he coached Eastern Suburbs and the Cronulla Sharks while also serving as a selector and recruitment officer. "Jack has been privileged in his life with what dad has achieved and what we get to do as a family," Brad said. He capped off that year with a man of the match performance in the Eels' 8-5 Tooth Cup Final win over Balmain. He was inducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2003. "It is important because it is our heritage, and it is where we come from.". 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 played his first game of football at age eight and had his first fight in a boxing ring a year later. 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. By subscribing, you agree to SBSs terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS. The ARTIE Academy operates with an innovative, high expectation, consistent and positive mindset. [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. An academy that will support them in times of need, but not accept excuses for a lack of commitment. The junior boys will be Under 13, 15 & 17 aged groups and the junior girls Under 15 & 17 aged groups with the junior girls games being be played under a 9 a side format. Arthur Artie Beetson OAM (19452011), rugby league legend, was the first Indigenous Australian to captain a major national sporting team and is counted among the games best ever forwards. Arthur Beetson was a great Australian; one of the greatest. "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. Meanwhile, having left Balmain, he led Eastern Suburbs to the premierships of 1974 and 1975. "Dad taught me about culture and I have reiterated that with my continued involvement with the Foundation. Wally made waves in the Australian Rugby circuit when he played for the team Queensland Maroons in the 1980 State of Origin tournament. He is also remembered as man of great humility who cared deeply about his people and culture. 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. "He was an immortal, named in the team of the century, a member of the hall of fame he was a true champion. 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. 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. Lewis then, represented the team Valleys Diehards in the Brisbane Rugby League Premiership tournament which was held in 1978. Arthur Beetson The Carnival is much more than Rugby League as it also has a major focus on Health Vocation and Education. 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. 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. On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves. His skill as a footballer was matched only by his skill as an eater, earning nicknames such as 'Meat Pie Artie'. He was quickly signed to Balmain in the National Rugby League where he established himself as formidable on the field. [20], The Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh announced that a bronze statue of Beetson was to be situated at Lang Park. 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. 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. On 1 December 2011, Beetson died following a heart attack while riding his bicycle at Paradise Point on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Beetson was recognised as rugby leagues seventh Immortal in September 2003. He was 66. Beetson represented Australia in his first season in Sydney, earning the nickname ''Half-a-game Artie'' after a marvellous cameo in the Ashes-deciding third Test against Great Britain. A standout forward, Beetson was named club player of the year in 1965 when Redcliffe took out the Brisbane premiership. Arthur Beetson was selected as the seventh 'Immortal of Rugby League in 2004. 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. "Talk about a black tracker, fair dinkum.". 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. 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. Born Arthur Henry Beetson on January 2, 1945, he was the fourth of seven children to Marie and Bill Beetson. 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. The Arthur Beetson Foundation was so named to honour Beetson, and the Arthur Beetson Medal is awarded to rugby league players who show both outstanding skills and similar personal qualities to Beetson. 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. You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content, Rugby League Week Player of the Year: 1974, Australian Rugby League Team of the Century: 2008, Rated No. [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. 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. Former NPG Deputy Director, Simon Elliott talks with Ern McQuillan about his life and career as a sports photographer. He captained Queensland in the inaugural State of Origin match in 1980, which ushered in a new era for the game. 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. For further information please contact NPG Copyright. State of Origin 2015: Arthur Beetsons son say NSW "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. 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. [25] That reasoning was criticised by NRL historian David Middleton, and former players Peter Wynn and Mick Cronin. Arthur Beetson The Australian Rugby League chief executive, Geoff Carr, added his own tribute, recalling the 1980 Origin match. His mother was a member of the Stolen Generation. This made him the second man in the history of the game, back then, to earn such an honour. 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. The Arthur Beetson Foundation is pleased to announce that the Queensland Murri Carnival 2022 will be the biggest Carnival held since its inception. 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. Met him when I was a 10 year old, inspiring. Arthur's Mother Marie was Kabi Kabi and his Father Bill was Waradjuri from NSW. [24] Anthony Mundine and Megan Davis also condemned the decision not to put forward Beetson's name for the honour. Source: Arthur Beetson Foundation. Under his captaincy, the team registered a win in its very first game. WebArthur Beetson was a great Australian; one of the greatest. 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 He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1989. 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. mother: June Lewis. 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. 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". 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. He started playing rugby league at age six, left school at sixteen and at nineteen moved to Brisbane to play first grade for Redcliffe. Record information. Awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1987 for his services to rugby league, Beetson retains an active involvement to this day. 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 for off-loading seemingly impossible passes became infamous, and his maturity and dedication was unquestionable. Even one of the greatest Australian could not escape the fate of too many of his Indigenous Australian brothers and sisters. He was a man who had time for everyone and freely gave his time to everyone. His best football is certainly in front of him. The Arthur Beetson trophy was created in 2012 and is awarded annually to the winner of the Indigenous All Stars rugby league match. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the, Let me know when this portraits on display. In 1984, this rugby player moved out of Wakefield Trinity and started playing for the team Wynnum-Manly Seagulls. Family, friends and former team-mates have farewelled rugby league great Arthur Beetson at a service north of Brisbane. Beetson continued to play for the Tigers until 1970 and then joined the Eastern Suburbs before migrating to the Eels in 1979. 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. "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. A standout forward, Beetson was named club player of the year in 1965 when Redcliffe took out the Brisbane premiership. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people. During this period Beetson also continued playing with distinction for Australia and in 1974 he was named as Rugby League Week's player of the year. However, in the NSWRL tournament of 1992, he was unsuccessful to recreate the old magic and the team ended up faring badly. The 1966 NSWRFL season was his first and he gained selection for the New South Wales team and played in that season's grand final against St. George at second-row forward. The laughter flowed for much of the 90-minute service like Beetson's silky passes which set up tries for teammates. His off-loading and attacking workrate broke the mould for front rowers and changed the way they played the game. Purchased 2019 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. 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. Arthur loved Queensland and in turn Queensland loved him. During the 1976 NSWRFL season, Beetson captained Eastern Suburbs to victory in their unofficial 1976 World Club Challenge match against British champions St Helens in Sydney. After retirement, Beetson went on to coach the Queensland team for Origin, securing four wins from six series. Beetson: rare talent, role model and cultural icon Beetson had two brothers and a sister. There, Beetson established himself as arguably the finest ball-playing front-rower of a generation. Brandon Beetson when he was three, with his dad, Nigel Beetson. was founded in 2010 in honour of Arthur Beetson by the Former Origin Greats through their Closing the Gap initiative.