Born in Melbourne and raised on a small farm in Ararat, Jake grew up with a love of all things sport and a yearning to help other people and support them when they most needed it. After completing high school Jake joined the Australian army for his gap year. Although the army provided the opportunity to support and defend people in need, the general lifestyle and culture did not suit Jake and so, after his gap year, he moved to Ballarat to complete a Commerce Degree at Federation Uni. After university Jake worked first for the City of Ballarat as an accountant before undertaking a role at the CFA in Ararat as District Business Manager, but living in Ballarat and commuting to Ararat soon proved to be too much and so he transferred to FRV. Always looking to grow and learn Jake sought an opportunity to improve his emergency management experience in early 2021 and was given the opportunity to work for an NGO in Gaza. During his time at university Jake completed a trip to the jungle of Costa Rica supporting biologists studying in the mangrove forest and a stint volunteering with Aussie Action Abroad in Nepal, since completing his studies he has enjoyed a variety of international trips, including Work Away, a program that encourages you to live with people and work to cover food and accommodation costs, allowing him to immerse himself in different cultures and regions. So with an understanding of travel and the benefits of exploring different cultures and saying yes to every opportunity Jake felt ready to work and learn in one of the world’s most notoriously uncertain regions.
