Arthur Beetson started playing Rugby League in Roma, Queensland at age six. 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. 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. Born Arthur Henry Beetson on January 2, 1945, he was the fourth of seven children to Marie and Bill Beetson. "It brought tears to my eyes when he got in the team," Brad said. [20], The Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh announced that a bronze statue of Beetson was to be situated at Lang Park. A recruitment officer for the Roosters, he is a state selector for the Queensland team, and Australian Test selector. "He's six-foot-five, and 90 kilos, so he is a big boy and pretty fast for a big guy. By subscribing, you agree to SBSs terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS. [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's first job was as a postie cycling around Roma delivering mail which kept him fit to play football. Arthur Beetson playing his last game for the Parramatta Eels in 1980. 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. He possessed great strength and toughness, a surprising turn of speed for a big man and was unequalled as a ball player. Arthur had 4 brothers: Benard Charles Beetson and 3 other siblings. Arthur married first name Beetson (born glynn). Arthur married Noelene Beetson (born Holloway). 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. ten greatest players in rugby league history At club level, suspension denied him the chance to be part of Balmains premiership victory in 1969. 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. He had a brief, but unsuccessful period, coaching Australia in 1983 before returning to coach his former club Eastern Suburbs, from 1985 to 1988, being named Coach of the Year in 1987. The players were taught an Indigenous dance to do in response to the Haka. They heard how at 35, a lion-hearted Beetson provided the fire and pride that gave birth to State of Origin at Lang Park in 1980. 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. "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. Purchased 2019 It was few years before Arthur and his brothers discovered their father was shooting blanks. "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. was founded in 2010 in honour of Arthur Beetson by the Former Origin Greats through their Closing the Gap initiative. He was made a life member of the Sydney Cricket Ground and a plaque in the Walk of Honour there commemorates his career. Beetson continued to play for the Tigers until 1970 and then joined the Eastern Suburbs before migrating to the Eels in 1979. 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. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. WebArthur Beetson tribute. 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. [13][14] Beetson chose to boycott the presentation ceremony, stating that he did not agree with the direction rugby league is taking. 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. Over 30 years I have never seen a more constructive or destructive player., Arthur Beetson: rare talent, role model and cultural icon, Messenger, Brown, Burge, Provan, Meninga announced as Immortals, Inglis to lead Maroons with actions like Beetson, Why Queensland saviour Wally Lewis was truly 'The King'. [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. He was 66. A standout forward, Beetson was named club player of the year in 1965 when Redcliffe took out the Brisbane premiership. "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. SBS acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and their connections and continuous care for the skies, lands and waterways throughout Australia. "Instead of going west like he said, he went south," laughed Raudonikis. He also had an extensive coaching career, spanning the 1970s to the 1990s, coaching Australia, Queensland, Eastern Suburbs, Redcliffe Dolphins and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. While his tour was marred by a shoulder injury he set up two tries in the third Test, helping to secure the match. 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. 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.