Queensland Rugby League sends its condolences to the family and friends of Dick Rose, a Queensland Country representative who was the first Aboriginal footballer to captain the Toowoomba Clydesdales rugby league team.
Rose led the Clydesdales against the touring Great Britain side in 1970 and was also a member of the team which defeated Brisbane in the Bulimba Cup final 18-17, in an upset the same year.
The Bulimba Cup competition was a great showcase for teams from Toowoomba, Ipswich and Brisbane from 1925 to 1972.
A gifted attacking halfback and strong defender, Rose also played for the Queensland Country representative side that year.
“He played in an era when the local football competition was the talk of the town, and his success and popularity on the paddock encouraged other Aboriginal footballers to participate in the Darling Downs’ competition,” the Western Clydesdales shared in an online tribute.
Following his football career, Rose also excelled as a Toowoomba amateur golf champion.
The Oakey Bears Old Boys Club also paid their respects to Rose and his family this week.
“Kevin ‘Dickie’ Rose was a true legend of the Oakey Bears and Toowoomba Rugby League,” Oakey Bears Old Boys Club wrote.
“Dickie Rose broke down barriers and was truly a great inspiration as an Indigenous sports hero.”
In 1975 he captained the Oakey Bears to the club’s historic first-ever A-Grade Premiership victory in the Toowoomba Rugby League (TRL).
He will be remembered as an exceptionally talented player who was agile and light on his feet, and more importantly, a passionate leader and great man on and off the field.
“Dickie Rose will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by the Bears community,” the Old Boys Club said.
“On behalf of the Oakey Old Boys Club and all of our members, particularly those who played with Kevin, we offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.”
QRL History Committee member Steve Haddan said:
“A hero of mine as a kid, when the local comp and the Bulimba Cup, were ‘the talk of the town’. I got to meet Dick at the 100 year anniversary of the TRL in 2019. My how chuffed I was.”
Rose’s funeral will be held at St. Thomas More's Church. 71a Ramsay Street Toowoomba, at 1pm Friday, October 16.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this post contains an image and name of a person who has passed away. Every care has been taken to ensure cultural respect, and family permission has been sought.
