Australian Story: April 4

Monday’s Australian Story features “Whitey’s Way,” profiling Paul White, the CEO of NRL’s Brisbane Broncos.

This is introduced by sports presenter Yvonne Sampson

Paul White, or ‘Whitey’ to his mates, is an unstoppable force. He’s the bush copper turned CEO of the Brisbane Broncos, one of Australia’s most successful sporting clubs.

But that unstoppable force has come up against an immovable object.

Last year, at the peak of his career, Paul was felled by a mysterious seizure. A diagnosis of a brain tumour rocked his family, his club and the towns (wider communities) of regional Queensland where he has lived and worked.

After a life spent building community, he’s not facing this challenge alone.

Australian Story has followed Paul through months of harsh medical treatment. Still training every day, this is a man who has turned ‘soldiering on’ into an extreme sport.

Last year Paul, with old friend Wayne Bennett back as coach, led the Broncos through one of their most successful seasons in a decade, culminating in perhaps the most extraordinary Grand Final of all time.

For Paul White, there is no rage against the dying of the light, just a determination to look misfortune in the eye with a steely gaze and a ready laugh.

Monday, April 4 at 8pm on ABC.