Region Riverina's Jarryd Rowley had other plans before pursuing journalism

Jarryd Rowley grew up wanting to be a cricketer rather than a journalist.

“I always thought I was half decent then I realised I wasn’t,” Region Riverina’s newest team member said.

His passion for journalism stemmed from a visit to a footy game in Albury in 2016.

“I got to sit in on a media conference and thought it was the coolest thing,” Jarryd said. “Seeing the players I watched on TV, asking questions and having a proper conversation.

“I thought it was something I’d like to do full-time.”

So he swapped his bat and gloves for a dictaphone and camera to tell stories.

While at university Jarryd had the opportunity to write stories about people and community interests.

“It’s what you have to do when you’re young and at uni … find anyone that would talk,” he said.

“That’s when I realised I liked telling stories in general and it wasn’t necessarily just about sports, and I quite liked talking to people.

“Wagga is already becoming close and tight-knit and everyone is involved with one another, and Region does well in helping the community become closer,” he said.

Jarryd’s career highlight to date was when he had the opportunity to cover the Melbourne Cup.

“Melbourne Cup came to South Australia and I got to interview a number of winning jockeys and take pictures of their horses,” he said.

“I got to hold the Melbourne Cup which is worth, like $250,000.”

The cadet journalist has no career plans set in stone and for now would like to just “go with the flow”.

Born in Hobart, Jarryd moved to Wagga with his family in 2005. He completed his primary and secondary education at Wagga Wagga Christian College before moving to Canberra to pursue a Bachelor of Sports Media for four years.

He landed his first job in South Australia at the Yorke Peninsula Country Times before moving back to his hometown in March, taking a job with Region Riverina.

Jarryd said he enjoyed being back home with his family as he didn’t get to see them often during COVID-19 and was not able to see them at all after moving to South Australia.

“It’s good to come back and integrate again and see my school friends,” he said.

When he’s not working as a journalist, Jarryd follows his other passion of watching films.

“I watch so many movies … not just recently released ones. I’m talking about the 1920s all the way through to now,” said the self-proclaimed cinephile.

“It’s something I’m quite passionate about … even at uni I was the guy people came to when they wanted suggestions.

“I still love cricket and AFL and watch it as much as I can,” he said.

During the pandemic, Jarryd turned to board games, not just the regular, run-of-the-mill types, but niche ones that involve model building.

“My favourite board game … the easy answer is Catan but a niche one people probably haven’t heard of is Scythe,” Jarryd said. “It’s where you build armies and make your civilisation run better.”

Jarryd is joined in the Wagga office by editor Chris Roe, business team Adam Drummond and Ketura Weston, and journalists Shri Gayathirie Rajen and Oliver Jacques (based in Griffith). They’re in Baylis St, upstairs in the old Twin Cinemas building – call in and say hello, or share a Riverina yarn with the team.

If you have a story or news tip for Jarryd, email [email protected].