Curtin University graduate Tom Shanahan joins the Great Southern Herald team in Katanning

Tom Shanahan has joined the Great Southern Herald as the newspaper’s first Katanning-based reporter in several years.

Shanahan was one of the most promising products of Curtin University’s class of 2020, earning the university’s constructive journalism award.

He jumped at the chance to start his journalism career with The West Australian’s regional newspapers in the Great Southern.

Shanahan’s wide range of interests should hold him in good stead as he endeavours to cover all aspects of the region.

A cricket tragic, he has already joined a local side in the Great Southern Cricket Association.

He is eager to become part of the community he is tasked with covering.

Herald editor Liam Croy said he was pleased to have a permanent presence in Katanning once again.

The office on Clive Street is now open full-time, staffed by a reporter, an advertising executive and an advertising manager.

“The Great Southern Herald has been the voice of the region for almost 120 years,” Croy said.

“Tom Shanahan will ensure that voice remains loud and clear.”