MY RESEARCH
NAME OF MY CHOSEN HERO:
(‘I’m a very proud Australian and a very proud Queenslander around state of origin time; but most of all. ’I’m a VERY proud blackfella)
Arthur Henry "Artie" Beetson was an important Aboriginal Australian and one of the greatest rugby league players of all time
Why I chose him: (my reason of choosing/admiring Arthur Beetson)
The reason I have I have chosen Arthur Beetson is simply because he is a greatr role model to young Aboriginal males and he has helped out not only his communities but community around Australia in both sport and educational facets.
BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS:
Artie was born on 21 January 1945 in Roma, Queensland. When he was 16 he was that skinny he acquired the nickname ‘bones’. Artie came from a background of a hard working family, his dad, Bill, used to supply trees for the power station before coal was introduced, his mum, Marie, was taken away at the age of 11-years-old and used as a domestic servant during the stolen generation. Their mum would hide the kids from fear of them being stolen too. His mum always thought that their way out of disadvantage was to get a good education. His mother always used to tell them it doesn’t matter what they call you, unless they call you late for breakfast. At the age of 6 he played his first game of rugby league. At the age of 16 he was spotted by Redcliffe at age 21 he played his first A grade game in 1966 for Balmain, then captained the Maroons in the very first Origin match in 1980.
His personality:
Arthur was an exceptionally gifted and talented sportsman who made a great contribution to rugby league both on and off the field throughout his extraordinary life. He had an engaging down to earth character, he was always demons...
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...oung indigenous boy because he has come from a little town in Roma, who representing his state and his country and gave back to the community at large he helped out in as many ways as he could selflessly at no profit to himself
Other interesting facts:
Since his passing there is now the The Arthur Beetson Foundation. A part of their commitment to our community they have now gotten involved with the Murri Rugby League Carnival, an all Indigenous carnivals that showcases Queensland’s finest indigenous rugby league players. They take place every year in the September holidays. In the carnival there is an under 15 men and women’s team and an under 15 Queensland’s side and a men’s Queensland side. Arthur Beetson has been honoured at Lang Park (Suncorp) stadium where a statue had been erected of him alongside other Queensland greats Wally Lewis and Darren Lockyer.
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