Danny Lannen serves as the religious affairs specialist at The Geelong Advertiser, Australia’s oldest regional newspaper. His reporting focuses on how faith communities address contemporary social challenges, with particular emphasis on:
With 15+ years at The Geelong Advertiser, Lannen has become essential reading for understanding the evolving role of religion in Australian regional life. His work bridges the gap between spiritual traditions and modern community needs, offering unique insights into how faith shapes social infrastructure.
We’ve followed Danny Lannen’s work as a cornerstone of religious and community reporting at The Geelong Advertiser, where his nuanced storytelling has illuminated the interplay between faith, culture, and local identity. Over his career, Lannen has become a vital voice in documenting how spiritual practices shape community resilience in regional Australia.
Lannen’s trajectory at The Geelong Advertiser reveals a journalist deeply embedded in his community:
This groundbreaking investigation exposed predatory behavior patterns in local nightlife while proposing faith-based intervention strategies. Lannen collaborated with religious leaders to develop training programs for venue staff, blending hard-hitting journalism with practical community solutions. The piece demonstrated his ability to connect social issues with spiritual resources, resulting in a 40% reduction in reported incidents within two years.
Lannen consistently highlights projects where multiple religious groups address shared community challenges. Successful pitches should showcase measurable outcomes from interdenominational partnerships, particularly those addressing homelessness, youth services, or environmental stewardship. His 2018 series on multifaith food banks set the template for this coverage.
He prioritizes stories demonstrating how religious institutions adapt to contemporary problems. Recent pieces have explored mosque-led cybersecurity workshops and Buddhist meditation programs for frontline workers. Pitches should emphasize innovative approaches with verifiable community impact.
Lannen maintains a strong interest in how traditional religious spaces evolve. His 2022 feature on repurposed church buildings as community hubs exemplifies this beat angle. Successful pitches will highlight architectural adaptations that maintain spiritual significance while serving new purposes.
While formal industry awards aren’t documented in available sources, Lannen’s influence manifests through:
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Religion, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant: