Richard Turner, born on the 19th August 1932 , affectionately named "Tosser", was a rugby league manager. Dick played in the Brisbane Rugby League competition for Brisbane Norths and Redcliffe, and was recruited from Norths in 1958 to coach Redcliffe juniors.
Dick coached reserve grade from 1962-1967 to 2 premierships from 4 grand finals.
He also coached Redcliffe first grade in 1968 and 1969.
He gave 50 years of service to the Redcliffe Dolphins.
Redcliffe District RLFC. 1962 Reserve Grade BRL
Back Row: J Young, K Parmenter, K Griffith (Treasurer) A Gledhill, C Easton (Selector)
Third Row: R. Dixon, R Boxsell, K Lucht, Des Webb, W Muller.
Second Row: D Marney, D Muller, C Robinson, J Whitehouse, P O'Reilly, R Simpson.
Front Row: S. Bishop (Manager) K. Welsh, N. Frost (Captain) R. Turner (Coach) C. Raaen, (Vice Captain) J. Houghton, F.P. Swepson (Secretary)
Inset: I. Paul. Absent P. Quinn.
Dick Tosser Turner was Chairman of the Dolphins from 1970 until 1987 and Patron from 1988 until his death in 2008.
Ray Ovens, Colin Part , Dick Tosser Turner and Dave Trewhella
Turner was the Queensland state rugby league team's manager from 1982 until 1996, when he stepped down to take a role in the "Former Origin Greats" (FOGS) organisation.
He was also the Australian team manager on the 1986 Kangaroo Tour of Great Britain.
He was also chairman of the South Queensland Crushers club during its entire existence from 1995 to 1997.
Dick Tosser Turner, Bryan Niebling, Terry White and Darryl Van de Velde
In 2008, during his battle with illness he wrote a letter for the Queensland rugby league team which has been read to them for inspiration in subsequent State of Origin series.
He died as chairman of FOGS on 16 June 2008 because of long-term illness. That year he won the "Service to Sport Award" at the Queensland Sport Awards.
Mal Meninga and Dick Tosser Turner,
Actor Michael Caton inherited Turner's cultural ambassador role with the Queensland rugby league team.
Dolphins Presidents Bill Hunter, Alf Charlish, Dick Tosser Turner and Des Webb
Dick "Tosser" Turner Complex Redcliffe Dolphins.
During the 2009 State of Origin series, he was honoured outside Lang Park with a plaque.
Ode to Dick "Tosser" Turner by Rupert McCall:
Dick Turner is listed on the wall of the Redcliffe Wall of Fame:
A collection of portrait and information honouring the achievements of individuals who have influenced and shaped Redcliffe. The collection is in the Jetty Arcade at 139-141 Redcliffe Parade.
For a complete list of people who appear on the wall click on the following blog post: