The Jake Herd Memorial Scholarship Fund
About
The Jake Herd Memorial Scholarship was created to honour the legacy of Jake Michael Herd. Jake passed away on the 23rd of May 2023, aged 27.
Jake attended Gladstone Park Secondary College from 2008-2013. During his time at the College, Jake was a School Captain and participated in the La Trobe University Student Leadership conference. He assisted in numerous open days, open nights, and primary school visits. Jake was also a Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) student and in Year 12, completed the University of Melbourne extension program in Psychology as part of his VCE studies. He attended many school camps including the Year 11 Ski Camp and the Italy Overseas Exchange. He also participated in various extracurricular activities, such as inter school sports (tennis), band (drums), school musical production (mechanical operator for Little Shop of Horrors), debating, and mooting. The La Trobe Mooting Competition was one of his schooling highlights – Jake acted as a senior barrister in a simulated court proceeding where student teams were presented with a legal problem to which they were required to research the relevant law and argue before a panel of judges. Gladstone Park won, and the trophy remains proudly displayed at the foyer of the main office! Jake was a great leader and ambassador for the school, and an inspirational role model for other students.
After graduating from Gladstone Park Secondary College, Jake completed a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Italian and Psychology, and then a Juris Doctor, from The University of Melbourne. He achieved distinguished marks and received, among other awards, a Professor Cheryl Saunders Scholarship.
Whilst at university, Jake was a research assistant to Professor Jeanie Paterson, and an editor of the Melbourne Journal of International Law. He also completed an internship at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. He volunteered his time and legal knowledge at the Moonee Valley Legal Service.
Jake spent his graduate year at King Wood Mallesons in dispute resolution and tax and was, before that, a paralegal for the Victorian Government Solicitor, working in public law.
Jake has also authored and been published in a law review journal.
In 2021, Jake joined the Supreme Court, as a Judge’s Associate to Justice Lisa Nichols. Supreme Court Associateships are only given to the brightest and best of young lawyers.
He was a go-getter and always had his heart set on exploring every opportunity that the big wide world offered.
Jake is fondly remembered by his family, friends, teachers, and colleagues.
The Jake Herd Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a Gladstone Park Secondary College student who exhibits some of the values and character strengths that Jake demonstrated.
Those include, but are not limited to: leadership, learning agility, passion, enthusiasm, integrity, curiosity, gratitude, humility, insightfulness, connection and empathy.
The scholarship will be available to the recipient as a disbursement towards the cost of their education. This could include textbooks, laptop, excursions/camps, VCE exam seminars, uniform, and other educational materials.
Please take the time to read the attached ‘A Eulogy for Jake Michael Herd’.
