Vale Arthur Buchan

28 September 1924 – 20 June 2020

The Foundation and the Rugby community has lost one of its most beloved post-War Wallabies following the death of Arthur Buchan, aged 95.

Born and raised in Sydney, Arthur was awarded a bursary while at Bankstown Public School to attend Sydney Technical High School. He went on to captain the school and starred as a brilliant student before enrolling in Science at the University of Sydney.

While studying at the famous Sydney rugby nursery, Buchan played his club rugby at Randwick between 1945-46 and in 1947. He joined Sydney University for a season in 1946 and also spent a year at St George in 1948.

In 1945 Arthur made his representative debut for NSW against Queensland. Only a year later he earned his spot on the Wallaby Tour of New Zealand and played his maiden test at Carisbrook in Dunedin.

Easily recognisable in his trademark headgear and blessed with the speed of a back, Arthur was known for his supreme fitness, harnessed from his days in surf lifesaving, and for being a fearless cover-defender.

He went on the become the premier number 8 in the immediate aftermath of World War II and enjoyed a four-year international career.

As well as starring on the rugby field, Arthur’s other lifelong passions were surf lifesaving and education. He moved to the Far North Coast to pursue a teaching career at Murwillumbah High School and went on to be appointed Deputy Director General of the NSW Education Department in the early 1980’s.

His legacy to rugby remains in the current era with the Arthur Buchan Shield awarded annually to the NSW U16s Combined High School champions.

Arthur was inducted into the Randwick Rugby Club’s Hall of Fame in 2010, and until his passing on Saturday, was the second-eldest living Wallaby.

We extend our sympathies to the family and friends of Arthur Buchan, Wallaby No. 324.