David Bedgood had a major influence on Queensland rugby…as a captain, as a savvy Colts coach of future Wallabies and as an all-seeing baggage man.
His passing at 86 on Saturday has been felt in the heart by many across different generations because that is where “Bedgie” lived.
He was the always affable, salt-of-the-earth rugby guy who added to the mix of any dressing room like the baker of a hot loaf which was his working life.
Former teammates will share a tale of Bedgood the backrower. Wallabies like Peter Slattery will celebrate his guidance in the formative part of their careers as a premiership coach for Wests Colts in 1984.
A modern generation of players between 2003-10 will remember “Bedgie” as their 60-something volunteer baggageman at the Reds.
Few of that era of players would know how good he was as a player himself. He sat, unused, on the bench for the Wallabies against the 1959 British and Irish Lions.
His green Wallabies jersey did not go unused as the years passed. Typical of "Bedgie", he cut off the sleeves and wore it to mow the lawn or go fishing for tailor on the Tweed.
He was never one to blow his own trumpet even with cause to as a Queensland captain at just 20 in 1960 during his 10-match run for his state.
Former Reds coach Phil Mooney knew Bedgood across four decades and feels richer for it.
“Bedgie coached me in Colts (1984) at Wests when we had three future Wallabies (Slattery, Brian Smith and Paul Carozza) in the backline,” Mooney said.
“In typical style, he had us all close our eyes in the Ballymore dressing room before the grand final. He then opened the old fridge that sat in the rooms and out blared the theme music from ‘Rocky’ from an old music box.
“He was an institution at Wests with the work he did with Colts and U19s.
“The players loved him as baggage man. He had conversations money couldn’t buy with all sorts of players and me as a coach.
“He’d offer moral support, he’d celebrate a win with them and he’d pick up the pieces when things didn’t go so well. He was like the people’s champion.”
He was a father figure when needed at Wests when one teen lost his dad. He dipped into his own pocket to help others.
The Queensland Reds auctioned a car at one mid-season lunch. Bedgood bought it and donated it back.
It was always more than just on the field for Bedgood. He gave the young Slattery an apprenticeship as a fitter-and-turner in his bakery to help him on the way. He then urged State selector John Ryan to take a look at the classy young halfback with the sharp pass in a Colts game to help his rise.
Bedgood was brought back into the Queensland inner sanctum as a fatherly baggage man by 2003 Reds coach Andrew Slack.
“’Bedgie’ was such an enthusiast. He just got people and could read a room,” Slack said.
“Players loved him because he wasn’t connected to anyone. He was connected to getting the best out of them.”
On tour, Bedgood might start a night solo by the team’s hotel swimming pool with an obligatory glass of white wine and a cigarette but it was never the case an hour later. Players, staff or the media man on tour might drift by for a short or a long chat.
He filled that role under four Reds coaches, Slack, Jeff Miller, Eddie Jones and Mooney, before being abruptly dumped at 70 in 2010.
He had been no less a beacon for good times when he opened a bakery at Dunwich on Stradbroke Island. He was a pie and hot bread stop for a generation. He would shout a friendly greeting across a crowded shop if he spotted an old mate as he often did.
At his memorial service, he was honoured in words:
"He coached with heart, he played with grit
A baker's soul, a perfect fit
With Rocky's song and quiet cheer
He led with strength, without veneer"
Bedgood was a stout backrower for the University of Queensland in the late 1950s when straight out of Anglican Church Grammar School.
He won the GPS First XV premiership with Churchie in 1955 and finished with a Hospital Cup premiership with University in 1960.
He played three seasons for Queensland (1958-60) and became one of Queensland’s youngest captains in 1960 at just 20.
He was made a QRU Life Member in 2006.
His love of rugby and its camaraderie was constant.
If you were ever searching for the heart and soul of rugby, Dave Bedgood was a good place to start. RIP Queensland Red #699
Family and friends are warmly invited to attend the celebration of David's life to be held in the Parkview Chapel, Allambe Memorial Park, Nerang-Broadbeach Road, Nerang, on Tuesday, July 29 commencing at 11am.
A celebration of David's life is also to be held at Wests Rugby Club on Friday, August 15 from 1pm. In tribute to his lifelong love of the game, all are invited to wear a rugby jersey of any team or colour.
