Rosewood History

TOMMY BURNS VISITS ROSEWOOD FOR BOXING EVENTS

© Jane Schy 2025

Geoffrey Mostyn Murphy was an Australian boxer, nightclub singer and actor. He fought under the name Tommy Burns. He was born 19th May 1922,  at Mullumbimby, New South Wales and died on 14th February 2011, in Sydney.

He grew up in Brisbane and left school at age 13 and worked in the family bakery during the Depression years, then took various other jobs, one in a munitions factory during the War..

Tommy was 14 when he started boxing and won his first fight with a knockout at Proston, near Wondai. He boxed under the name Tommy Burns because he was under age and didn’t want his mother to find out. By  the time he was 19, Tommy Burns was a household name in Brisbane and he was undefeated in 25 fights. He was a crowd favourite and his good looks attracted a large proportion of women to his fights.

Tommy said he never liked fighting but it was a way to make a living. Three of his brothers, Athol, Carl and Dudley, became A grade rugby league footballers. Two other brothers, Ken and Rex, also became creditable boxers.

In 1947, Tommy won the Australian Welterweight Championship and fought many of the best Australian boxers of his era. He held the title until 1949. His manager was Alby Graham.

In 1949 he appeared in Charles Chauvel’s film, The Sons of Matthew, which was shot in the hinterland of the Gold Coast. Tommy went to Hollywood and had a screen test but was not successful, and he spent some time singing in nightclubs. He made several famous friends including actors, notably Joan Crawford, with whom, it is believed, he was romantically linked at one time.

Geoffrey Moslyn Murphy, as Tommy Burns, was inducted into the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004.

Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld.), Thursday 29 November 1945, page 3

TOMMY BURNS VISITS ROSEWOOD FOR BOXING EVENTS
The Farmers Hall was packed on Monday night when a series of boxing and wrestling bouts was staged. Public interest in the event was keen due to the appearance of Tommy Burns, Queensland’s welter-weight champion and contender for the Australian welter-weight championship, who was seen in a three-round sparring exhibition with Ken Murphy, his brother. 

Visiting boxers were present from Kedron, Ipswich. R.A.A.F. (Amberley) and country centres. The bouts were organised by the Diggers’ Queen (Miss Betty Barnes) Committee to raise funds for the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall at Rosewood. 

The Farmers’ Hall was converted into a stadium for the occasion, a specially-constructed boxing ring being provided in the centre of the hall. The committees efforts in having the ring constructed and floodlit were appreciated by the Public. 

The various bouts provided lively entertainment for the big crowd, several promising lads being seen in action. 

BURNS WELCOMED.
Prior to the exhibition bout between Tommy Burns and Ken Murphy. Cr. C. J. Murphy (Chairman of the Rosewood Shire Council) entered the ring. On behalf of the people at Rosewood, he cordially welcomed the Queensland champion and his brother Ken, and the visiting athletes who came to assist. Cr. Murphy said Tommy Burns was a popular figure in the boxing game, and they were pleased to have him present. 

Cr. Murphy congratulated the committee on the successful organisation of the boxing, which had been arranged to assist a very worthy cause. The hall would be a benefit not only to the soldiers, but to the people of Rosewood also. Referring to the likelihood of the Queensland boxing champion contesting the Australian welter-weight title, Cr. Murphy said Tommy Burns would have the best wishes of the people of Rosewood in his efforts in the game, as he had many supporters in this district.

Tommy Burns, who, on entering the ring with his brother for this exhibition bout, was accorded an ovation, briefly thanked the people for the welcome. 

Officials were: Announcer, Mr. R Kerle: timekeeper. Mr. Geo. Clark; judges. Messrs, Hickley and D. Rogers; referees, W.O. (“Snow”) Dunn. R.A.A.F., Amberley (boxing), and Ted Wilks (wrestling)

Wrestling – Len. Steele, 12.6 (Toowoomba) and Terry O’Bren, 12.2 (R.A.A.F. champion) provided an entertaining bout, which ended in a draw, each man gaining a fall. 

Boxing – Jerry Martin (7.6), an aboriginal boy from Ipswich, defeated C. Rivers 7.3 (Kedron) on a t.k.o. in the third round. M. Lewis 11.3 (Kedron) defeated R. Jackwltz 11.7. on a t.k.o. in the fourth round. J. Stoddard 8.6 (Ipswich) defeated E. Holznagel 8.9 (Rosewood) on a t.k.o in the third round.  M. Smith 10.2 (Kedron) defeated Des. Hickey 10.6. on a t.k.o. in the third round. F. McBean 8.4 (Rosewood) defeated J. McKinnon 8.2, on a t.k.o. in the second round. G. Highan 11.0 (Kedron) defeated R. Ward 10.8 (Rosewood) on a t.k.o. in the second round. 

A sparring exhibition over three rounds was given by J. Bourke (paperweight champion of Queensland) and O. Hardy (bantamweight champion of Queensland). 

The boxing bouts were scheduled for four two-minute rounds. Owing to illness H. McInnes (Burns’s sparring partner) was unable to fulfil his engagement with Ted Wilks (Queensland amateur champion). 

In the course of the evening Mr. Eddie Tingle sang and provided instrumental accompaniment. 

At tlhe close of the boxing Mr. Eric Edgeworth, Secretary of the Diggers’ Queen Committee, thanked everyone for their support. Garden seats from the Majestic Theatre were loaned by the proprietress, Mrs. F. Boughen. Flood lighting of the ring was effected by Mr. G. Clark. The specially-constructed boxing ring was made by the committee. 

From the hall the visitors adjourned to the School of Arts, where they were guests of the ladies committee at supper, served on daintily decorated tables. The President of the Diggers’ Queen Committee (Mr. Alex. Potts), on behalf of members, presented to Mrs. Burns, who accompanied her husband, a large oval decorated basket of sweets, and for her little daughter a lovely dressed doll. Mrs. Burns thanked the people for their kindly gesture, which, she said, was unique in their travels.

Miss Betty Barnes, the Queen candidate, thanked the fighters for their visit. Mr. J. O’Brien responded on behalf of the visitors.

Sparring with Tommy Burns, even though he was his brother, was no fun, according to his younger brother, Ken Murphy.
In the picture Tommy (on the right) is shown advising Ken to throw his left hook higher.