Brendan Nelson (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

I join with the Prime Minister in supporting this condolence motion. Dick Turner was, as we have heard, the godfather of Queensland’s state of origin rugby league team. His name was synonymous with origin, and he became the maroons’ manager in the origin’s first year in 1980. Ever since, he was an integral part of the Queensland side and he worked with the team during its early heyday right through until the latest origin match last Wednesday. After the maroons had smashed New South Wales, battling cancer and wheelchair-bound he visited the maroons’ shed to personally congratulate them. His contribution on and off the field cannot be underestimated and he was regarded as a father figure by every origin player whom he ever had contact with. Over more than two decades he worked with all the greats—Marty Bella, the King, Vautin and Meninga. He founded the Former Origin Greats organisation, and it is also fitting that the Turner Medal, which recognises Queensland origin players who have donned the maroon jersey 20 times or more, is named in honour of him. He did not like the spotlight too much; he never did. He did his best work behind the scenes, most times without people even noticing what he was doing or what he had done. To this day he enjoys the utmost respect from past and present players for his contribution to Queensland’s origin success. He is an origin legend and one of the reasons why origin footy is as big as it is today.

I also take this opportunity to recognise the passing, last month, of the great Jack Gibson. He was coach of the team of the century and is described by Peter Sterling as a man who not only made wonderful players but also made wonderful people. These men were two great Australians and two great contributors to the league, and they will be greatly missed.

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