30 Years of Origin

30 Years of Origin

This years 30th Anniversary will see a statewide campaign to promote the Queensland charity "Former Origin Greats"(FOGS).

Australia post have commissioned Jamie Cooper to paint a tribute to the "Captains of Origin". The project will see a run of 5,ooo general Fine Art Prints for sale from Australia Post outlets throughout QLD.

FOGS will also be selling a "High-End" Limited Edition Fine Art Print personally signed by the 12 Captains depicted.

Set in the dressing rooms of Suncorp Stadium (formally Lang Park) the prints will give the public a priviledged view into the sacred players rooms and also a look into some of the funny stories from the inner sanctum.

The print will be available coinciding with the 2010 Origin series.

The painting will be unveiled and auctioned at the FOGS annual Charity Lunch on June 15.

A look at Jamie Cooper's "Captains of Origin" painting  

Here is the Story of the painting -

Since 1980 only 12 men have been bestowed with the honour of leading the state of Queensland into battle against the enemy, New South Wales. On this the 30th anniversary of State of Origin, we pay tribute to this elite group, the Captains of Origin. Whilst these men, all acknowledged legends of Rugby League have led with dignity, pride and fearless endeavour they remain at heart a bunch of down to earth lads who share a very special bond.     
In this unique scene, artist Jamie Cooper, brings to life our Captains sharing the spoils of victory in the player’s room at Suncorp Stadium. There are many stories and rumours about players, their personalities, habits, rituals and their sense of humour. In this painting the artist gives a rare glimpse into the lighter side of these warriors as they wind down after doing battle -  

 
Darren Lockyer is known for saying very little post game. He generally sits quietly, hand on chin and “thinks” about each play of the game. Here he sits posed aptly as Auguste Rodin’s “The Thinker”.     

Allan Langer turned up to his 1st ever Origin training session having travelled from Ipswich on the old rattler carrying a worn out brown suitcase.The boys have quietly placed it on top of his locker for a laugh. Alf is also fiercely afraid of the dark so he has his own special “emergency” lamp in his locker. Rumour has it he also needs a bucket pre game; a result of nervous energy.

    
Kevin Walters only captained one Origin game and it was a heavy loss. When told of his inclusion in the painting he remarked that he was barely qualified to carry the drinks...touche’.     

In the locker behind Gilly is a fire axe marked “In case of emergency - Get Trevor!” in reference to his nickname ”The Axe”. He still has a hospital ID on his wrist and a drip needle in his arm as Gilly once famously checked himself out of hospital to play a match.  

   
The “King”Wally Lewis always drove the team bus. Whilst he thought he was giving the guys an inspiring ride to the game the white faces and lurching stomachs of the rest of the team suggests his driving might have been a touch on the “wild” side. Here Wally is holding the bus keys reminding the boys of the ride home. Note the sign above his locker.

    
Big Mal was unceremoniously dubbed “Chicken George” due to his love of chicken. For breakfast, lunch and dinner. Here Mal celebrates with ...not a beer but a drumstick.   

 
Shane Webcke is a real farm boy and proud of his country roots. He often heads straight back to the bush after a game. Here he wants to know who stuck the “Tractor Club” postcard in his locker as he grabs his flannelette shirt.  

   
There is always a chuckle when it comes to describing Fatty Vautins “warm up” routine. Whenever the team was instructed to stretch Fatty would comically sway from side to side. Here Jamie Cooper performs the impossible - Fatty Stretching...or trying to! Whilst he is sheepishly searching the room for the trainers one of the boys has quietly placed an old and unflattering Lowes catalogue next to him.   

 
Arthur Beetsons pre game and post game ritual usually involved a specific dietry supplement - meat pies! Here Arthur indulges with the 1st of 6 for the evening. Adrian Lam smiles ruefully at the ability of the big man.

    
Cam Smith has brought along a copy of Bill Harrigans “Rule Book” to tease Gorden Tallis. Gordy reacts as usual to any reference to Harrigan and wants to tear it to pieces. Tallis was famously sent off after telling Harrigan he didn’t know the rules.

    
This print was produced to celebrate Origins 30th anniversary but also to promote the amazing work of the Qld charity - FOGS (Former Origin Greats). FOGS is a non-profit organisation committed to helping communities and charities in Queensland. Once retired from representative football a Queenslander becomes a FOG - playing for Queensland on the field and helping Queenslanders off the field.