But in his short stay he left a major impact on the history of the Murray Bombers.
Arthur, a member of the AFL Hall of Fame and one of eight official legends of the Hawthorn Football Club Hall of Fame, died on Sunday at the age of 84.
Originally from Sandhurst Football Club in the Bendigo Football League, Arthur played 232 VFL games in a career that spanned 13 years and coached Hawthorn between 1964-1965.
Arthur was a three-time best and fairest winner and forever etched in the history books as Hawthorn’s inaugural premiership captain.
Following his retirement at the end of the 1968 VFL season, Echuca lured Arthur - nickname ‘Mort’ - not only to the club, but to the town in general.
“He moved to town, opened a little sports store in Hare St, which he ran for quite a time, and eventually went on to be a country councillor for the VFL,” former Echuca Football Club secretary and treasurer Kevin Woolnough told the Riv last year.
“Mort was a fantastic personality for our town. People looked up to him, but they also enjoyed his company, and he gave back to the town in a non-football sense as well.”
Arthur coached Echuca between 1969 and 1974, guiding the club to its third Bendigo Football League premiership in 1970, defeating Sandhurst 15.13 (103) to 14.13 (97) in a thrilling grand final.
Alan Green, a former Echuca Football Club secretary and friend of Arthur, said his death was a terrible loss.
“He has left us with dignity and with such wonderful memories,” Green said.
“Mary and his daughters have lost their loving husband and father, a true family man, a great friend to so many and a sad loss to all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
“We had a wonderful friendship. Our families were very close as well.
“Graham and his wife Mary were the godparents of my daughter, so they will always be a very special part of our lives.
“Graham was a man's man and a mentor of living life in a decent and caring way. His character impacted you, you walked tall and you walked with dignity in his presence.
“He did so much off the field. He and the family used to go around the caravan parks during the Good Friday Appeal and rattle the tins and raise quite a bit of money.
“Graham didn't have to do things like that, but that's the kind of person he was.
“He will be remembered as a true gentleman, sportsman and legend.”
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