TV exec who established some of the ABC’s most iconic series dies aged 93

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Graham White, a pioneering broadcaster who helped create many of the ABC’s most popular shows, passed away peacefully on Sunday at the age of 93.

Throughout his impressive 30-year career, White held leadership positions and played a key role in developing some of the public broadcaster’s most memorable programs.

His roles included head of rural broadcasting from 1953 and controller of TV programs from 1971.

In 1973, White became the general manager of ABC Television, a position he held for more than ten years.

He started his career in journalism, working as a reporter and producing/directing programs. In 1956, he famously provided commentary during the Melbourne Olympic Games at the MCG, a pivotal moment for Australian television.

But it was his work behind the scenes that left the most enduring legacy. 

White played a key role in creating some of Australia’s most famous television programs, including Countdown, Rush, and especially A Big Country, which he was particularly proud of.

He was inspired by a Canadian show to create a pioneering documentary series in 1968. This program introduced city viewers to the lives and experiences of people living in rural Australia.

The popular, award-winning show ran until 1991 and served as a precursor to the current program, Landline.

Looking back on his success, White recalled that his song ‘A Big Country’ resonated with audiences by portraying rural life in an exaggerated and heroic way.

His daughter Leanne said the show was White’s crowning achievement. 

Thanks to White’s dedication to rural Australia, the government provided funding for satellite technology, allowing even the most isolated towns and stations to receive ABC broadcasts.

Ian Doyle, a former coworker, fondly remembered White, explaining that he played a key role in sharing the beauty of rural Australia with people in larger cities.

He successfully convinced the government to fund a satellite television service, bringing TV to even the most isolated parts of the Australian outback.

Away from programming, White never shied from controversy.

I was absolutely glued to the reports from the Melbourne Markets, and what he found just blew my mind! Apparently, there was this huge scam going on – they were totally ripping off the farmers by charging them way too much for everything. It’s outrageous, honestly! I can’t stop thinking about it.

When he refused to accept the suppliers’ inflated prices, it was a courageous – and risky – decision. The suppliers, who were scamming the system, were furious, but White stood his ground.

He received an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) award in 1981 to honor his many years of contributions to television.

After that initial success, I launched the very first ABC Shop right here in Sydney. It was an incredible experience, and it eventually led me to work with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, where I had the opportunity to apply my skills across both South America and the Pacific region. It was a truly rewarding chapter in my career!

Everyone knew White to be a humble and enthusiastic person. Shortly before he died, he left his family a simple, heartfelt message: ‘Live life to the fullest and don’t dwell on regrets.’

The well-known broadcaster passed away on September 21st, with his family by his side. Remarkably, he had recently passed his driving test just weeks before.

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2025-09-25 02:33