Leo Shanahan

Leo started in journalism when he published a family newspaper after reading a book called “What To Do When You’re Bored”. Fortunately being from a family of 11 the readership of the newspaper was larger than any article he has published since. He also worked out that journalism was indeed a good thing to do when you’re bored.

While spending years studying arts/law at the Australian National University Leo was an enthusiatic reporter and deputy editor of the student newspaper Woroni, wrote music reviews for the Canberra Times and hosted a alternative music radio show. 

While completing his honours degree in Political Science and European studies he started at The Age’s Canberra bureau as a researcher for The Age’s political editor Michelle Grattan. He soon started contributing for the Sunday Age and Sun-Herald, breaking numerous news stories and several photocopiers. Leo completed a traineeship with The Age newspaper and online in Melbourne working as a reporter in general news, business, sport and the 2007 election campaign.

In an ingenious attempt to make him somebody elses’ problem Leo was sent to Canberra as a political reporter for The Age in early 2008. He joined The Punch in mid 2009 as a staff writer where he is based in Melbourne and Canberra.

Leo has travelled widely, including stints studying at the University of Stockholm and working in kitchens in Italy, and he enjoys wandering the streets aimlessly until he is hungry and then eating large amounts any kind of Asian noodle soup. He has a really nice blue and white striped t-shirt.