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. 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.. 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. The legendary Arthur Beetson was the first Aboriginal man to coach in the NRL. 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. The 66-year-old died from a heart attack on the Gold Coast last week. 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. Born Arthur Henry Beetson on January 2, 1945, he was the fourth of seven children to Marie and Bill Beetson. This legendary rugby player fell prey to Epilepsy and even had to undergo a surgery in February 2007, to get rid of this ailment. In the post-1999 NRL season an Aboriginal side managed by Arthur Beetson defeated the Papua New Guinean national team. [20], The Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh announced that a bronze statue of Beetson was to be situated at Lang Park. "He was ahead of his time and an awesome grandfather. "Dad gave him a few tips, but it was more about how to carry himself in life more than football. "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. The same year Beetson received a Medal of the Order of Australia "in recognition of service to the sport of Rugby League". "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. Beetson's coaching career began while still playing for Easts in 1977. The side completed a clean sweep against NSW in 1989. Beetson became the first Indigenous Australian to captain Australia in any sport[6] and is frequently cited as the best post-war forward in Australian rugby league history. He was revered by a nation as the greatest rugby league forward of "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). 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. 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. The teams in the annual Indigenous All Stars rugby league match compete for the Arthur Beetson Trophy. However, in the NSWRL tournament of 1992, he was unsuccessful to recreate the old magic and the team ended up faring badly. Beetson started his career in the centres with Roma Cities before master coach Henry Holloway brought him to Redcliffe, where he won a premiership a year later. The couple have three children, namely Lincoln, Mitchell and Jamie-Lee. "He'd be the best junior footballer in Australia.". He is a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). Heres a range of information about planning your visit, our history and more! Announced on 17 April 2008, the team is the panel's majority choice for each of the thirteen starting positions and four interchange players. 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 After the 1970 NSWRFL season Beetson left Balmain to join the Eastern Suburbs club where he would stay from 1971 to 1978. Beetson has also spent many years as a recruitment officer for both Eastern Suburbs and Queensland. 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. Arthur Beetson was selected as the seventh 'Immortal of Rugby League in 2004. The Arthur Beetson Medal is not necessarily awarded annually but only when appropriate to a person and the time to do so. At club level, suspension denied him the chance to be part of Balmains premiership victory in 1969. In 1965, when Redcliffe won the Brisbane premiership, he was named the clubs player of the year and was soon afterwards signed to play for Balmain in the Sydney competition. Rugby league great Arthur Beetson died this morning at the age of 66 after suffering a heart attack. "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. We'd go to his place when he was at the Gold Coast for family meetings and he was always fun.". He told of how on a trip away to the bush Beetson set off on his bike only to end up 50 kilometres from where he intended to be. Lewis mother was a renowned netball player of her time and even represented the team of Queensland. Related / After a rough education he left school at 16 and worked at the local post-office, as a clerk and a mail man. Wally was honoured with the Australian Sports Medal in the year 2000 for his contribution towards the sport. 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'. mother: June Lewis. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons. The great League coach Jack Gibson once said Arthur Beetson could ''do it all'' on the football field and ''sell tickets'' too. 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. 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. In 1977, he travelled overseas along with the team to nations such as Japan and Europe. Arthur Beetson playing his last game for the Parramatta Eels in 1980. Beetson was recognised as rugby leagues seventh Immortal in September 2003. ARTIE Academy (Achieving Results Through Indigenous Education). 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. He was quickly signed to Balmain in the National Rugby League where he established himself as formidable on the field. 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. A standout forward, Beetson was named club player of the year in 1965 when Redcliffe took out the Brisbane premiership. Arthur Beetson started playing Rugby League in Roma, Queensland at age six. His off-loading and attacking workrate broke the mould for front rowers and changed the way they played the game. [24] Anthony Mundine and Megan Davis also condemned the decision not to put forward Beetson's name for the honour. 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. 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. [21] It was unveiled on 3 July 2012. Beetson joined the Parramatta Eels in 1979. 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. He was awarded the Order of Australia in 1987, and entered the National Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2003. His second son, Mitchell works at an FM radio station. 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, However, during his tenure as the coach, Gold Coast Seagulls lost 37 of the 44 games they played. In 1973 he became the first Aboriginal to captain Australia in any sport. WebState Of Origin 2012, game 3, and Billy Slater (on the commentary panel) talks about Arthur Beetson on the unveiling of his statue. 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. WebBrad Beetson, the Arthur Beetson Foundation and the Queensland Rugby League are shocked that NSW officials would formally include Beetson in their new initiative True This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. He was also an integral part of consecutive premierships for Easts in 1974 and 1975, and cemented his international status when he led Australia to World Cup victory in 1975 and 1977. 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. 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". In May 2004 his book, Big Artie: The Autobiography was published. 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. 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. 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. 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 is focused on that because it is more important than footy to start with.". By subscribing, you agree to SBSs terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS. (age42in1968), Arthur Beetson OAM While his tour was marred by a shoulder injury he set up two tries in the third Test, helping to secure the match. Wally next joined the team Brisbane Broncos in 1988, the same year as its formation. He represented Australia again at the 1968 Rugby League World Cup, playing at prop forward in the win against France in the tournament final. WebArthur Beetson tribute. RIP Artie, what a legend. [15] In June 2008, he was chosen in the Queensland Rugby League's Team of the Century at second-row. Beetson was also selected to make his representative dbut for Australia against England and set up the first two tries. He captained Australia in France in 1973, and against Great Britain in the second Test of 1974. Beetson played in all three Tests against Great Britain in Australia, but was overlooked for the World Cup, held in England. [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 Dolphins have been handed a mouthwatering clash against the Roosters to open their inaugural NRL campaign in round one of 2023. Visit us, learn with us, support us or work with us! There would be no State of Origin but for Arthur. The ARTIE Academy operates with an innovative, high expectation, consistent and positive mindset. Revealed: the other man in the famous Beetson Origin photo. 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. His skill as a footballer was matched only by his skill as an eater, earning nicknames such as 'Meat Pie Artie'. 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. Former NPG Deputy Director, Simon Elliott talks with Ern McQuillan about his life and career as a sports photographer. He was known and immortalised by his performance of eating 11 hot dogs before a gala dinner for the Australian team in 1973. 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. ARTIE inspires its participants, encourages and informs them of their progress and celebrates their successes. He joined the Parramatta Eels in 1979 and in 1980 captained Queensland to victory in the inaugural State or Origin series. 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. A recruitment officer for the Roosters, he is a state selector for the Queensland team, and Australian Test selector. His main position was at prop. Beetson started his career with Redcliffe Dolpins in the Brisbane competition before being lured to Sydney to play with the Balmain Tigers. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. 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. was founded in 2010 in honour of Arthur Beetson by the Former Origin Greats through their Closing the Gap initiative. 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. "He leaves a mighty footprint on rugby league that will guarantee he is remembered not just now, but forever.". 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 captain-coached Easts in 1977 and 1978, then joined Parramatta for 1979 and 1980. 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. The Australian Rugby League chief executive, Geoff Carr, added his own tribute, recalling the 1980 Origin match. 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. 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. 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. Rugby league legends Arthur Beetson (left) and Wally Lewis at the official opening of Suncorp Stadium in 2003. "Dad taught me about culture and I have reiterated that with my continued involvement with the Foundation. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present. WebArthur Henry "Artie" Beetson OAM (22 January 1945 1 December 2011) was an Australian rugby league player and coach. In 1984, this rugby player moved out of Wakefield Trinity and started playing for the team Wynnum-Manly Seagulls. The under 15s team will form the base of the Murri under 16s side which will take on the NSW Koori team this year. Struggling with a shoulder injury, Beetson laid on tries for wingers Johnny King and Ken Irvine that helped to secure the Ashes for Australia. Rugby league legends Arthur Beetson (left) and Wally Lewis at the official opening of Suncorp Stadium in 2003. 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. 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. His statue stands with those of fellow Maroons greats Wally Lewis and Darren Lockyer at the northern end of the stadium precinct.