Cadet reporter Shea Dawson joins The Gympie Times team

Fresh out of the University of the Sunshine Coast, meet the newest cadet reporter joining the team at The Gympie Times.

Shea Dawson, cadet reporter for The Gympie Times.

Fresh out the gates of the University of the Sunshine Coast, Shea Dawson, 20, is the newest reporter to join the growing team of The Gympie Times.

Shea recently completed his journalism studies and is also working towards completing a Bachelor of Laws.

He also holds an executive position on the University’s Law Student Association.

Before joining The Gympie Times, Shea worked as a weather bulletin writer for Seven News and as a marketing manager at a Sunshine Coast law firm.

He is also undergoing a three-month internship at ABC’s Australian Story in Brisbane.

Shea will be joining the talented Wide Bay team, which also boasts new reporters Adriana Mageros and Nicole Strathdee.

He is passionate about telling local stories and said there is nothing more thrilling than amplifying local voices.

“I love having the chance to chat to incredible everyday people,” Shea said.

“I’m a natural storyteller - there’s nothing more important to me than being a voice for somebody who may not have one.”

Shea Dawson, cadet reporter for The Gympie Times.

Shea is enthusiastic about human interest stories and is a keen council reporter.

He said it was important to keep people informed of the exciting - or not-so-exciting - things happening in their own backyard.

“These things affect the entire community,” he said.

“It’s really important to me to be able to keep everybody in the loop - and hopefully entertain them in the process.”

Shea traces his love of writing back to his mother, who worked as a high-school English teacher for more than two decades.

“Some of my earliest childhood memories involve discussing books around the dinner table,” he said.

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved reading and writing - and sharing that love with others.”

Outside of work, Shea is an accomplished classical pianist and loves to play video games and watch horror movies.

When he’s not behind a computer or a piano, you can find Shea playing with his best friend, his chocolate labrador Hazel.

If you have a story for Shea, please contact him at [e-mail].