Queensland Government pays tribute to Godfather of Qld Origin

Queensland is in mourning at the news that we have lost the Godfather of Queensland State of Origin Rugby League, Dick “Tosser” Turner, Sport Minister Judy Spence said today.

It was announced earlier today that Tosser Turner had passed away after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

“It is almost impossible to imagine Queensland and rugby league – especially State of Origin – without Tosser Turner”, Ms Spence said.

“Tosser Turner made an outstanding contribution to Queensland rugby league and was widely regarded as the man who made things happen.

“Last week, Queensland Coach Mal Meninga dedicated the fantastic Origin II win over New South Wales to Tosser and I have no doubt he would have been over the moon with the result”, Ms Spence said.

Dick "Tosser" Turner was a former player and administrator – having been President of the Redcliffe Dolphins for 17 years - but it was in his role as the Queensland Origin Team Manager that he achieved legendary status.

Tosser was hand-picked by the late Senator Ron McAuliffe in 1982 as team manager and served in that role before handing over to Chris Close after 1996.

His contribution to Origin can be best summed up in "Origin: Rugby League's Greatest Contest" which says: “He (Turner) brought to the Queensland State of Origin team an understanding nature and a healthy sense of humour, but his special contribution stemmed from his fierce animosity towards anything in a Blue Guernsey”.

“He has enjoyed the utmost respect from past and present players and his contribution to Queensland's Origin success, both on and off the field cannot be underestimated.

“His passion and commitment to the game and its players was no more in evidence than when he founded the Former Origin Greats (FOGS) in 1997 as a way to recognise the contribution of players of Origin football and keep the passion and dream alive.

“The Queensland Government has been proud to associate itself with Tosser Turner and the FOGS and support a number of its programs, particularly where they are focussed on getting disadvantaged children and young people involved in sport”, Ms Spence said.

“Earlier this year, I was pleased to announce a sponsorship of $150,000 of the FOGS for the delivery of programs in remote Indigenous communities to encourage young people to get active and eat healthier food”.

“I know that the outstanding work of FOGS will continue and this is in no small measure due to the passion, commitment and vision of Tosser Turner”, Ms Spence said.

"And just last month, Tosser Turner was a guest of honour at the inaugural Queensland Sport Volunteers Award ceremony which I hosted at Parliament House.

“At this function we recognised some of Queensland's highly respected volunteers in sport and named Wally Lewis - a great friend to Tosser - as one of Queensland's sporting ambassadors".

“I know I speak on behalf of all Queenslanders – and particularly anyone who has had an association with rugby league over the last 50 years – when I say that we have all lost one of the greatest today and that Tosser Turner will be sadly missed”.

Member for Murrumba Dean Wells, who knew Tosser Turner for 25 years, described him as a great man and a great leader.

“He was an inspiration to generations of sports minded people on the Redcliffe Peninsula and beyond,” Mr Wells said.

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