Local ABC Journalist – Gavin McGrath

After more than a decade and a half working the beat as a newspaper reporter, Gavin McGrath brings an eye (and an ear) for what’s newsworthy, interesting and just plain unusual in regional Australia to ABC Local Radio.

Growing up in regional South Australia and Victoria, Gavin was a relative latecomer to news journalism (he actually wanted to be a fighter pilot) but studied communications at Deakin University in Warrnambool and has since worked for the Herald Sun (five years) and The Courier in Ballarat (eight years). Prior to becoming a staff reporter, he worked within the motoring industry and as a motorsport scribe at racetracks around Australia.

In his time as a writer Gavin has taken a keen interest in local sport, rural and farming matters, and even returned to his first love, driving and reviewing cars, but hasn’t been afraid to tackle everything from politics to theatre (including a failed attempt to become Ballarat’s Phantom of the Opera. Sadly he is a terrible singer).

Gavin takes a look at local life in Ballarat and South West Victoria each weekday between 10 and 11am, and would love to hear your stories.