ABOUT

Beau Donelly is an Australian journalist and author who is based in Europe, where he works as an editor for the investigative outlet Bellingcat.

Beau’s work has taken him across four continents: from remote Aboriginal communities to a Ukrainian border crossing in the weeks after Russia's invasion; into the murky world of Jakarta’s underground abortion industry; to the slums of Africa and the streets of Paris. He has reported from crime scenes and courthouses, from inside illegal brothels and puppy farms, from refugee centres and oncology wards, from bedsides and gravesides. 

His feature writing, news breaking and investigative skills have been recognised by the Melbourne Press Club, the United Nations Association of Australia and the Irish Journalism Awards. Beau has twice been a finalist for Australia’s most prestigious journalism honour, the Walkley Award.

Beau’s work focuses on human rights, social justice, crime and power. He has consistently exposed injustice and inequality, breaking stories about exploitation, abuse and wrongdoing. He has revealed major security breaches involving foster children and their carers, which led to a government inquiry and compensation for victims. Beau's reporting on a girl at risk of Female Genital Mutilation in Guinea prompted the Australian government to fast-track visas for the child and her family. In Uganda, he worked with photojournalist Chris Hopkins to document the plight of disabled children.

Beau and his colleague Nick Toscano’s investigation into Australian cancer scammer Belle Gibson exposed her as a fraud. Beau and Nick subsequently wrote the best-selling book The Woman Who Fooled The World, which is the basis for the Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar, released globally in 2025.

Beau's coverage of end-of-life rights includes documenting the death of a man who turned down life-prolonging medical treatment. His extensive reporting on peadophile clergy includes covering Australia’s royal commission into child sexual abuse.  

He has investigated fentanyl overdose deaths in America, tracked a wanted drug cartel boss via his own social media posts, and written about the little-known corporate vehicles that allow criminals to launder money. Beau and his colleague John Mooney revealed how undeclared payments were secretly routed from Ireland’s public broadcaster to its highest paid presenter via a controversial barter fund.

Beau previously worked as a journalist for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald in Australia, and as a senior reporter for The Times and The Sunday Times in Ireland. His stories have been published by various media outlets including Al Jazeera, The Irish Times and The Independent.

Beau has a Bachelor of Journalism from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.