Interviews and feature reports from NITV. Jack wanted to "just see how far I can go and try my hardest" with regards to his footy while making the point that the cultural aspects of the Murri 15s camp meant a lot to him. He possessed great strength and toughness, a surprising turn of speed for a big man and was unequalled as a ball player. 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. He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1989. The players were taught an Indigenous dance to do in response to the Haka. Arthur was a proud Aboriginal boy from the bush, the son of a stolen generation woman. The same year Beetson received a Medal of the Order of Australia "in recognition of service to the sport of Rugby League". Beetsons mother was a member of the Stolen Generation. Meanwhile, having left Balmain, he led Eastern Suburbs to the premierships of 1974 and 1975. After a rough education he left school at 16 and worked at the local post-office, as a clerk and a mail man. WebBorn in Roma, Queensland, in 1945, Arthur Artie' Beetson started his career at local level as a centre. He represented Australia again at the 1968 Rugby League World Cup, playing at prop forward in the win against France in the tournament final. The program is run by the FOGS (Former Origin Greats) organisation and funded under the "Closing the Gap" initiative. 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. 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. His main position was at prop. The teams in the annual Indigenous All Stars rugby league match compete for the Arthur Beetson Trophy. However, during his tenure as the coach, Gold Coast Seagulls lost 37 of the 44 games they played. ARTIE is an academy that students are proud to be a part of. While his tour was marred by a shoulder injury he set up two tries in the third Test, helping to secure the match. Lighthearted yarn on all things NBA and NBL, Join Narelda Jacobs and John Paul Janke to get unique Indigenous perspectives and cutting-edge analysis of the biggest stories of the week. 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 Arthur Beetson - Simple English Wikipedia, the free 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. Beetson returned to Queensland for one final year of playing with his old Redcliffe team in 1981. [24] Anthony Mundine and Megan Davis also condemned the decision not to put forward Beetson's name for the honour. 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". Rugby league great Arthur Beetson died this morning at the age of 66 after suffering a heart attack. 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'. Left out of the Test team to play New Zealand in 1977, Beetson was reinstated after major controversy regarding interstate politics in the game, but ultimately decided to stand down. 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. 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. Beetson joined the Parramatta Eels in 1979. Beetson has also spent many years as a recruitment officer for both Eastern Suburbs and Queensland. The Arthur Beetson trophy was created in 2012 and is awarded annually to the winner of the Indigenous All Stars rugby league match. The Arthur Beetson trophy was created in 2012 and is awarded annually to the winner of the Indigenous All Stars rugby league match. ARTIE inspires its participants, encourages and informs them of their progress and celebrates their successes. An academy that expects them to achieve to the best of their ability. "Arthur Beetson's family call for review over Sydney stadium naming farce". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Retrieved 4 February 2022. ^ a b Benns, Matthew (1 February 2022). "Arthur Beetson stand at Sydney stadium rejected because he's a Queenslander". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 4 February 2022. ^ Webster, Andrew (14 March 2022). 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. 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. was founded in 2010 in honour of Arthur Beetson by the Former Origin Greats through their Closing the Gap initiative. ", Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Arthur Beetson - Wikipedia Beetson continued to play for the Tigers until 1970 and then joined the Eastern Suburbs before migrating to the Eels in 1979. The legendary Arthur Beetson was the first Aboriginal man to coach in the NRL. While his fitness had also been queried, it only took a first half burst from Beetson, including two tries, to completely rout the opposition. 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 Generations who had left Cherbourg Mission before moving to Buderim and then Roma. He represented Australia, New South Wales and Queensland all between 1964 and 1981. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. 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. ", 2023 NRL Signings Tracker: Montoya, Russell re-sign; Titans flyer extends, Judiciary Report: Reynolds among five hit with fines; Naden, Sipley facing bans, Mounties v Bulldogs | Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership | Grand Final Highlights, Colts v Knights | Women's Country Championships | Grand Final Highlights. 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. His performance in this competition landed him a spot in the Australian national team in 1981. Arthur Beetson and his legacy in league and in life | SBS 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. National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. 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. He steered his team to victory in the finals of the BRL tournament held at Lang Park. Arthur Beetson was selected as the seventh 'Immortal of Rugby League in 2004. While their son Lincoln created waves in the television circuit as an actor, daughter Jamie proved her prowess as a Water-polo player. Arthur's Mother Marie was Kabi Kabi and his Father Bill was Waradjuri from NSW. Family and friends farewell rugby league immortal Arthur Artie Beetson dead [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. WebBeetsons 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. (age23in1968). Inglis to lead State of Origin 2015: Arthur Beetsons son say NSW He was revered by a nation as the greatest rugby league forward of Arthur Beetson Obituary (1945 - 2011) - Legacy 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. Australia's prime minister, Julia Gillard, joined the tributes. His father was a bushworker, lent his hand to such labour as building cattle yards. "Keiron runs the Deadly Choices program, and along with us is trying to create young leaders," Brad said. "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. 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. Beetson then became the first aboriginal player to captain Australia in the second test against France. 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. Thu 30 Nov, 2017 Immortals. 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. Wally next joined the team Brisbane Broncos in 1988, the same year as its formation. Arthur Beetson In his lifetime Arthur was a leader and a larrikin. 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. Wed 01 Aug, 2018 State of Origin. This made him the second man in the history of the game, back then, to earn such an honour. He then pushed, unsuccessfully, for an Australia Day match against the Australian national team.[9]. 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. A bronze statue of this rugby player has been installed at the Lang Park stadium in Brisbane, in honour of his talent. It is only fitting that the first Arthur Beetson Medallist is Johnathan Thurston. Beetson then played with Balmain, with a spell in England with Hull Kingston Rovers in 1968.[8]. Beetson farewelled at Brisbane service 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. Also in 1987 he received the Medal of the Order of Australia "in recognition of service to the sport of Rugby League". 16 in Rugby League Weeks Top 100 players: 1992. 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, He was revered by a nation as the greatest rugby league forward of all time and its first Indigenous Australian captain of a national sporting team. In May 2004 his book, Big Artie: The Autobiography was published. Beetson continued to play for the Tigers until 1970 and then joined the Eastern Suburbs before migrating to the Eels in 1979. [25] That reasoning was criticised by NRL historian David Middleton, and former players Peter Wynn and Mick Cronin. The great League coach Jack Gibson once said Arthur Beetson could ''do it all'' on the football field and ''sell tickets'' too. Arthur Beetson jersey artwork Arthur Beetson Obituary (1945 - 2011) - Gold Coast 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. His off-loading and attacking workrate broke the mould for front rowers and changed the way they played the game. 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. He capped off that year with a man of the match performance in the Eels' 8-5 Tooth Cup Final win over Balmain. 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. Michael McQuillan's Classic Photographs, Ern McQuillan OAM 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. 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 Queensland under 15 Murri side. 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. "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. 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. "We had around 20 sides play from the Gold Coast to the Torres Strait, so 400 to 50 kids," Brad said. His skill as a footballer was matched only by his skill as an eater, earning nicknames such as 'Meat Pie Artie'.