About

Jack Ward is now based in Melbourne after moving from regional Victoria to take up a position at Nine News Melbourne as Assistant Chief of Staff. The award-winning student journalist is studying a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) at RMIT and has an extensive resume of experience in the industry for his age.

 

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. By the age of 16, he was a paid reporter.

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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. He interviewed Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, Ministers, Councillors, and hundreds of local residents. All while studying at secondary school. Learning from each interview and growing his range of skills and knowledge beyond the classroom.

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At the beginning of 2019, AC News expanded into a multimedia website alongside video segments. A decision designed to expand content distribution and allow for more students to be involved in what had become 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 including 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 with Tennis Australia’s media team during the December Showdown and Junior Australian Championship. He conducted interviews, wrote articles and contributed to the competition’s publicity. In September of 2019, he spent time with the teams at Nine News Melbourne and ABC Ballarat.

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Jack was named Student Journalist of the Year by Youth Journalism International in May 2020 while hosting and producing news podcast, Ararat's Latest - 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. A new paper that hired Jack as its first reporter.

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Jack graduated Ararat College as Year 12 Dux and moved to Melbourne in early 2022. He is currently Assistant Chief of Staff at Nine News Melbourne and studying a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) at RMIT.

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Contact Jack HERE.