Blues prop Paul Vaughan will never forget the day he was expelled from his high school

NSW and St George Illawarra prop Paul Vaughan will never forget the day he was expelled from his high school. It was the moment that turned his life around.

Now a role model, NSW prop Paul Vaughan says he owes it to his mum for keeping him on the straight and narrow. Picture: AAP

Paul Vaughan will never forget the day he was expelled from his high school.

“Dickson College in Canberra got rid of me but I can’t tell you why I was expelled,” Vaughan cautiously recalled.

“I wasn’t the best kid growing up, so mum had a big job on her hands.

“It was just immaturity. I was doing things that I thought was funny, like pranks.

“Luckily Erindale College picked me up and I ended up finishing my schooling there.”

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Now a role model, NSW prop Paul Vaughan says he owes it to his mum for keeping him on the straight and narrow. Picture: AAP

Today, Vaughan is the furthest thing from a high school ratbag.

The Dragons prop is a NSW Origin player, an NRL enforcer and a doting dad of a gorgeous four-month old girl, Mackenzie.

Vaughan couldn’t be happier in life but he knows he wouldn’t be where he is without the unconditional support of his mother, Patricia.

As a single parent, she deserves enormous credit for juggling her profession as a nurse with endless hours helping her son stay on the straight and narrow.

“Mum has been great,” the Blues bookend beamed.

“She did really well to raise three kids. She used to drive me around the countryside when I was a young fella.

“So every time I get the chance I make sure I tell her that she is the reason why I’m in such a good position at the moment.”

Vaughan now has a child of his own, young daughter Mackenzie, with wife Elle.

Vaughan recently had the perfect chance to thank his mother when she attended his round 11 St George Illawarra clash against Cronulla in Wollongong.

The game coincided with his naming in the NSW Origin team for Game 1 at Suncorp Stadium.

“So we went for a little celebratory drink afterwards,” he said.

“She then drove back to Canberra later that night but it was great to have her there for that special occasion.”

Vaughan’s appreciation for his mother has increased tenfold now he is a father.

The deep feeling he has for his daughter is the same affection he was shown as a young boy growing up in Canberra.

“When you go home and you see your little girl it puts things into perspective,” he said.

“She just puts a smile on your face. I love going home and seeing her.

Vaughan’s daughter puts everything into perspective - even losses. Picture: Brett Costello

“Everything I do is for my family. I get to see my little daughter with a NSW dress on next Wednesday.

“If I can see my wife and daughter after the game, then I’d be pretty stoked.”

Vaughan is also determined to reward Blues coach Brad Fittler for selecting him despite the Dragons’ poor form.

“We are in a bit of a slump at the moment but Freddie has shown some good faith by selecting Tyson Frizell and myself,” he said.

“We are looking to repay the faith by playing well in Brisbane.”

Originally published as Blues prop Paul Vaughan will never forget the day he was expelled from his high school