He played between the 1960s and 1981. 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. Lewis returned to Sydney after the spat with Brisbane Broncos and joined the team Gold Coast Seagulls in 1991. 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. 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. Beetson's coaching career began while still playing for Easts in 1977. "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. After retirement, Beetson went on to coach the Queensland team for Origin, securing four wins from six series. He started playing football in bare feet as a six-year-old and went on became a centre and WebAge: 63 Years, 63 Year Old Males. 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. 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. WebState Of Origin 2012, game 3, and Billy Slater (on the commentary panel) talks about Arthur Beetson on the unveiling of his statue. "David Fifita, the nephew of Andrew, was our captain a couple of years ago and he's going to be a superstar so watch out for him," Brad said. The Australian Rugby League chief executive, Geoff Carr, added his own tribute, recalling the 1980 Origin match. "Dad gave him a few tips, but it was more about how to carry himself in life more than football. Beetson then went on to coach Queensland, Eastern Suburbs and, briefly, Australia before being appointed recruitment officer for the renamed Roosters. 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. "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. 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. 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. 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. A standout forward, Beetson was named club player of the year in 1965 when Redcliffe took out the Brisbane premiership. 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. At club level, suspension denied him the chance to be part of Balmains premiership victory in 1969. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people. 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. In 1984, this rugby player moved out of Wakefield Trinity and started playing for the team Wynnum-Manly Seagulls. In the post-1999 NRL season an Aboriginal side managed by Arthur Beetson defeated the Papua New Guinean national team. The 66-year-old died from a heart attack on the Gold Coast last week. 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 2009, Lewis penned his autobiography titled Out of the Shadows: A Champions Return to The Spotlight. 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. 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. 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. At the end of 1970, looking to rejuvenate his career, Beetson left Balmain to join Easts (Roosters). Purchased 2019 Beetson then played with Balmain, with a spell in England with Hull Kingston Rovers in 1968.[8]. ", Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Arthur was a proud Aboriginal boy from the bush, the son of a stolen generation woman. "Dad taught me about culture and I have reiterated that with my continued involvement with the Foundation. children: Jamie-Lee Lewis, Lincoln Lewis, Mitchell Lewis. You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content. You were a proud man, a 16 in Rugby League Weeks Top 100 players: 1992. Beetson played for Balmain, Eastern Suburbs the team now known as Sydney Roosters and Parramatta, as well as in England with the Robins. 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. His statue stands with those of fellow Maroons greats Wally Lewis and Darren Lockyer at the northern end of the stadium precinct. Beetson's mother was a member of the Stolen Generation. Brandon Beetson when he was three, with his dad, Nigel Beetson. Arthur Beetson started playing Rugby League in Roma, Queensland at age six. We grew up in a little place called Brewarrina which is out near Bourke, and my old man wasnt that keen on the big smoke. But four decades on it was Arthurs son, Mark Beetson, who helped get Brandon on board at the Roosters. Beetson continued to play for the Tigers until 1970 and then joined the Eastern Suburbs before migrating to the Eels in 1979. 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. The under 15s team will form the base of the Murri under 16s side which will take on the NSW Koori team this year. Beetson's Queensland State of Origin number 11 jersey was "retired" in 2014. Artie Beetson dead. Arthur Beetson was a great Australian; one of the greatest. In May 2004 his book, Big Artie: The Autobiography was published. 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. 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. A funeral was held on Friday at the Redcliffe Leagues Club where Beetson began his career in 1964. 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 inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1989. The Queensland Murri Carnival will be back at the Redcliffe Dolphins Moreton Daily Stadium from Tuesday, 27 September to Sunday, 2 October! Under his captaincy, the team registered a win in its very first game. He was a man who had time for everyone and freely gave his time to everyone. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on. Wally tied the knot with a woman named Jacqueline, whom he had first met as a child. He continued to coach through the 1990s for the Cronulla Sharks as well as enjoying some stints in commentary and as a recruitment officer for the Eastern Suburbs and Queensland. Beetson also coached the Australian team in 1983, Easts from 1985 to 1988, and Cronulla in 1992 and 1993. He represented Australia, New South Wales and Queensland all between 1964 and 1981. Beetson started his career with Redcliffe Dolpins in the Brisbane competition before being lured to Sydney to play with the Balmain Tigers. By subscribing, you agree to SBSs terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS. An academy that will support them in times of need, but not accept excuses for a lack of commitment. His autobiography Big Artie was also released that year, using the name popularised by the crowds for the lovable forward. However, he was denied an opportunity to be a part of mainstream rugby by the Queensland Rugby Union due to his league background. He was inducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2003. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). His performance in this competition landed him a spot in the Australian national team in 1981. He was captain-coach of Redcliffe in 1981 and that season was appointed coach of the Queensland State of Origin side, taking them to repeated series victories over New South Wales from 1981 to 1984 . Part-way through the 1994 NSWRL season Beetson briefly replaced the sacked Mark Murray as coach of the Eastern Suburbs Roosters. The teams in the annual Indigenous All Stars rugby league match compete for the Arthur Beetson Trophy. 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 is a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). After a rough education he left school at 16 and worked at the local post-office, as a clerk and a mail man. His best football is certainly in front of him. The players were taught an Indigenous dance to do in response to the Haka. Birth: x xxx xxxx xxxxxxxxx Lancashire, England: Marriage: He was appointed as both the captain as well as the coach of this team. ARTIE inspires its participants, encourages and informs them of their progress and celebrates their successes. Throughout his career he championed both the bush and indigenous Australia and inspired young players.". 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 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. 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. Arthur Beetson (Artie) You were an inspirational indigenous Australian who will be missed bye all, especially your family and friends. 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. Met him when I was a 10 year old, inspiring. Rugby league great Arthur Beetson died this morning at the age of 66 after suffering a heart attack. Arthur Beetson playing his last game for the Parramatta Eels in 1980. His off-loading and attacking workrate broke the mould for front rowers and changed the way they played the game. He headed to Sydney a year after claiming a premiership with Redcliffe and made his name at Balmain, where he was coached by Harry Bath. He joined the Parramatta Eels in 1979 and in 1980 captained Queensland to victory in the inaugural State or Origin series. Arthur Beetson. 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. The very next year, Wally was promoted to the designation of the vice-captain for the 1982 tour of Great Britain and France. While his tour was marred by a shoulder injury he set up two tries in the third Test, helping to secure the match. He passed away in 2011. The Arthur Beetson trophy was created in 2012 and is awarded annually to the winner of the Indigenous All Stars rugby league match. "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. 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 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. 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. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. He captained Australia in France in 1973, and against Great Britain in the second Test of 1974. His skill for off-loading seemingly impossible passes became infamous, and his maturity and dedication was unquestionable. The side completed a clean sweep against NSW in 1989. Beetson was recognised as rugby leagues seventh Immortal in September 2003. WebARTHUR Beetsons son has slammed the New South Wales Rugby League as pathetic for claiming his father as a True Blue. 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. [11][12] Beetson went on to be named in the front-row in Australian rugby league's Team of the Century. On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves. Beetson played in all three Tests against Great Britain in Australia, but was overlooked for the World Cup, held in England. While his tour was marred by a shoulder injury he set up two tries in the third Test, helping to secure the match. "Instead of going west like he said, he went south," laughed Raudonikis. It is only fitting that the first Arthur Beetson Medallist is Johnathan Thurston. 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. 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. WebArthur Henry "Artie" Beetson OAM (22 January 1945 1 December 2011) was an Australian rugby league player and coach. [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. 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. 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. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present. Beetson's big frame, pure speed and brilliant ball skills won countless games for all his teams. His father was a sportsperson who represented clubs like Western Suburb Panthers, known as Wests, as well as Souths Logan Magpies. Like his father, Wally excelled in Rugby at a young age and even got an opportunity to be a part of the Australian Schoolboys Team. "Jack has been privileged in his life with what dad has achieved and what we get to do as a family," Brad said. father: Jim Lewis. Born in Roma, Queensland, in 1945, Arthur Artie Beetson started his career at local level as a centre. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. Rugby league legends Arthur Beetson (left) and Wally Lewis at the official opening of Suncorp Stadium in 2003. (modern), The popular Arthur Beetson, here taking part in the 2000 Olympic torch relay, has died at the age of 66. The great League coach Jack Gibson once said Arthur Beetson could ''do it all'' on the football field and ''sell tickets'' too. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons. Ash Taylor, Brenko Lee and Gideon Gela-Mosby have all played for the Murri side in the past. A recruitment officer for the Roosters, he is a state selector for the Queensland team, and Australian Test selector. There, Beetson established himself as arguably the finest ball-playing front-rower of a generation. (age42in1968), Arthur Beetson OAM All rights reserved. With injury ruling him out of the 1967 Kangaroos tour, Beetson bounced back to play a major role in Australias 1968 World Cup victory. [7] He was born in Roma, Queensland on 21 January 1945. 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. 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. 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. Beetson continued to play for the Tigers until 1970 and then joined the Eastern Suburbs before migrating to the Eels in 1979. 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. The ARTIE Academy operates with an innovative, high expectation, consistent and positive mindset. 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. 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. The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. John Peard produced his 1975 premiership ring and thanked Beetson, promising he would be remembered forever. 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. 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. On November 7, 1992, this iconic rugby player played the final game of his career against a South Australian team, held at Adelaide. It was few years before Arthur and his brothers discovered their father was shooting blanks. WebArthur Beetson tribute. "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).
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