Karl Beattie – a man who made an impact

•  Vale Karl Beattie. 

July 06, 2022

When Karl Beattie passed away on June 27, the North-East lost a man who made a significant impact to his community in so many ways.

He was a successful farmer; a man deeply involved in community affairs and local government; and a sportsman of the highest calibre. 

And of course there was Karl’s immediate family – wife Nola and daughters Narelle, Maria and Kathryn, all of whom he loved dearly.

Karl was educated in Scottsdale, and after Grade 10 he joined his father Bill on the family farm at Jetsonville. Bill was a member of parliament, and Karl took on the responsibility of running the enterprise

Karl and his dad started a Southdown Sheep stud which supplied rams for the farm and which he maintained to almost the end of his farming days.  

In 1956 Karl and Bill won the Australian Fat Lamb competition – a rare honour in those days.  

Three years later Karl purchased the farm at South Springfield in 1959 where he and wife Nola raised their three daughters, and where they remained prior to becoming the first couple to move into the new Northbourne Park retirement complex earlier this year.

Karl and his brother Peter formed a partnership which involved growing crops and cattle, and it became a very successful enterprise for 20 years, after which Karl and Nola continued to run sheep and cattle and grow potatoes on their Springfield property.

At the funeral on Saturday, attended by more than 350 people, Philip Lethborg who officiated, highlighted that Karl was all about relationships and that was never more evident than in his own family. 

The three girls recalled their childhood experiences at Springfield, how important it was to visit relatives when they returned home as young adults, and how often he expressed pride in his grandchildren Matilda and Oscar. 

He was married to Nola for more than 60 years, and as daughter Narelle said at the funeral, “To find the love of your life early and be together for over 60 years is a rare happiness.”

Karl Beattie was a generous man, and his willingness to work on behalf of his local community was very significant. 

He was a life member of Apex, received the highest honour as a Rotarian, and was a Warden of the Scottsdale Council and later an elected member of the Dorset Council. 

He served in local government for 19 years. 

In all these roles Karl demonstrated an honest and down to earth approach to making key decisions, and woe betide any state or federal government which may have jeopardised support for the North-East.

He was president of the high school parents and friends committee, and a member of the school farm board and fought strongly to retain the school farm when it was threatened with closure in the 1980s. 

While he was a member of the farm board, the 40 acre softwood plantation was established which has funded major projects at both the primary and high school.

In the sporting arena, Karl made a major impact on both the tennis court and the footy field. With his first pay packet back in the 50s he bought tennis racquets for sister Diane and brother Peter, and later did likewise for his three daughters whom he coached although Narelle noted he had more success in that endeavour with her two sisters than he did with her.

He and Nola were well known for their tennis parties at Springfield including one particular evening when their team won the final. It was on the tennis court that Karl formed a lifelong friendship and doubles partnership with Michael Wadley who recalled that any mistake on Michael’s part on court was met by a gruff “Bloody oath Wadley,”

As a footballer with Scottsdale, Karl became a most decorated player. He won three best and fairest awards including a special one in 1964 when the club won its first ever NTFA premiership. His good friend and team mate Rex Lethborg takes the credit for Karl making the senior team.

“In the late 50s the selectors said to me we need another rover, and I told them to pick Beattie. Eventually they agreed, and the bugger became a better player than me,” Rex recalled.

And his preparation on a Friday night – saveloys for tea!

He played 200 senior games which included three premierships, two of which were under the coaching of his close friend Brian Donohoe who made the trip from Melbourne on Saturday to attend Karl’s funeral.

Even in his later years, Karl was a regular at home games, and club president Cameron Moore described him as one of the club’s most loved and respected former players.

At his funeral on Saturday, eulogies were given by his daughters, brother Peter, friends Michael Wadley, Chris Wootton and Peter Gutwein; and Rotary president Guy Jetson.

The huge crowd who attended Karl’s funeral in the football clubrooms was a testament to the respect in which he was held. 

He will be sadly missed by all those who had the good fortune of knowing him over a distinguished 83 years.