The Origin of Origin

Adopted as a child, Senator Ron McAuliffe (ccntre), fought Rommel at Tobruk and then the Japanese in New Guinea — before taking on his most impossible task: defeating New South Wales in State of Origin. It took 21 years, but eventually Ron did it — with the aid of two of his best mates: King Wally Lewis (left) and his team captain Arthur Beetson (right). Beetson was considered past it at 35 and Wally was too young at 20 for that first match in 1980. But just before the match Arthur took that cap off his own head and put it on Wally’s head and said: “Don’t let me down tonight”. And Wally didn’t.