About

Professional Summary

Jack Ward is an award-winning student journalist studying Year 12 in 2021 at Ararat College in regional Victoria, navigating his school work and covering local news. Jack founded Ararat College's student-run news station (AC News) at the beginning of 2017, turning it into one of Ararat's major news sources. Now he is a paid journalist at the age of 17.

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When AC News launched in March of 2017, the students were publishing video segments via Instagram to less than 100 followers. By the end of 2019 - when Jack stepped away from his passion project - his team was producing high-quality video segments, written articles and photojournalism. AC News was reaching thousands each month.

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Jack's passion for telling a story has been with him for as long as he can remember, as has his love for news. As a young child, he watched breakfast television, the nightly news, listened to the wireless and read newspapers, admiring the work of journalists and presenters.

When launching AC News, he began his journalistic journey - soaking in the work of professionals and gaining valuable 'real-life' experience. The 17-year-old has interviewed Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, Ministers, Nine's Peter Hitchener, hundreds of local residents and students. Learning from each interview and growing his range of skills and knowledge.

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At the beginning of 2019, AC News expanded into a multimedia website alongside video segments. This decision was made to extend content platforms and allow for more students to be involved in what became a valued, respected and trusted news source for the Ararat community.

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As well as growing AC News, Jack wrote for a number of other organisations (RUOK, Project Rockit & Youth Journalism International). He was a member of Victoria's first Youth Congress in 2018.

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At the end of 2018, Jack completed a week of work experience at Tennis Australia during the December Showdown and Junior Australian Championship with their media team. He conducted interviews, wrote articles and soaked in a wealth of knowledge. In September of 2019, he spent time with the team at Nine News Melbourne for a stint of experience. This was followed by another week at ABC Ballarat later that month.

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More recently in 2020, Jack was named Student Journalist of the Year by Youth Journalism International. He hosted a news podcast, Ararat's Latest, throughout last year - delivering news to his community live on Facebook, then shared via podcasting apps following the broadcast.

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Perhaps the most pivotal moment of Jack's career so far was when Ararat's newspaper, The Ararat Advertiser, suspended publication in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Then 16-year-old Jack was Ararat's only source of news until a new publication (The Ararat Advocate) stepped in and hired Jack as their first Ararat reporter.

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Jack plans to complete his secondary schooling in 2021 at Ararat College whilst continuing to work for the Ararat Advocate. Learning academically and practically.

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This website is home to much of Jack's work mentioned above, a portfolio of his experience in broadcast and written journalism. If you are wanting to contact the young journalist, his details can be found HERE.

Skills

Communication  Journalism     Campaign Management    Video Production
Social Media    Writing    Podcasting    Creativity  TV Presenting

Work Experience

Achievements

Testimonials