Gerard Ward
| About Gerard Ward |
Personal Biography I was born in Perth, Western Australia in June 1986 in a family of 6. I was brought up to respect among other things, trust and honesty. This would have something to do with my interest in reporting corruption and whatnot. Originally planning to become a computer technician, I found myself landing a spot at Edith Cowan University for a Bachelor of Communications. It was there that I found my love for journalism. Studying two majors, the other being 'Film and Television', I began to learn not only how the trades work, but also how they work together in the media today. I still find the media a fascinating collaboration of skills and tricks of the trade. During study, I would use my spare time to write for local publications, pitching where I could to test my newly learnt skills. A journalist, I soon learnt, never sits still. I was also shortlisted in the top 8 of students state-wide in the Journalism Ethics essay in 2004, which competed with journalists within Western Australia. A few articles written for the university's online publication rewarded me with a semester of work experience at the state newspaper, The West Australian. Thrown into the deep end of journalism, my tasks for the day were simply put: "Get us a story by 3:30". Since jounalists never sit still, I started ringing people on the phone and asking questions. Stepping out of the comfort zone of the student life, I started to work on my own writing style, along with a few hints from the paper's editor. I knew this career was for me once my first story hit page 3. The buzz of knowing the next day would have thousands of people reading was a real thrill. Sporting nine stories within a 15 day placement, I was offered a job as a Picture Clerk within the paper. Not a very enthralling job for a wanna-be writer I soon learned. But this allowed first-rate access to the newest news stories, along with its pictures that I had to edit. Those photos would have to be the final poke for me to become involved with the media. The amount of events happening in the world is truly immense, and I couldn't stop reading up on the world's happenings. I graduated from Edith Cowan University as a 'Bachelor of Communications', majoring in journalism, and film and video in 2006. After which I began to freelance for a few publications. I now freelance for publications such as the Official PlayStation Magazine Australia and gameplayer.com.au. My plans to travel will not hinder my work, as I plan to also write on the road, and around the world. A journalist never sits still.
Experience Publications written for:
Education Successful completion of a 'Bachelor of Communications' at Edith Cowan University. Majoring in 'Journalism' and 'Film and Video'. |