Hayley has been a Rural Financial Counsellor with RBS since 2019, supporting primary producers across the Riverland and surrounding regions. She spent 12 years farming and managing her family’s dryland cropping and livestock enterprise on the Eyre Peninsula before returning home to the Riverland to work in horticultural agronomy and in roles with the Department for Environment and Water. Her experience across dryland farming, livestock, horticulture and environmental management underpins the steady, practical support she provides to clients.
Growing up on a dryland farm in the Mallee, surrounded by farmers and sometimes hard times, Hayley understands the realities of seasonal pressure and tight cashflow. Her knowledge of dryland farming and livestock, alongside her experience in horticulture, gives her strong insight into both grain and wine grape businesses. Bank negotiations and disputes have become a major part of her client work, with many achieving positive outcomes through clear planning and steady guidance. Viability checks with wine grape growers have also become an increasingly important part of her work in the Riverland.
Hayley holds a Diploma of Natural Resource Management, an Advanced Diploma of Agri Business Management and a Diploma of Financial Counselling, and is a Professional Supervisor with SAFCA. She is passionate about helping clients understand their business, work through family succession plans and take the necessary reality check when required. As she often says, “you don’t have to have it all figured out to move forward… just take the next step forward.”
Outside of work, Hayley makes the most of the River Murray on her doorstep, often taking the speed boat out with family, getting away camping and caravanning, and enjoying local Riverland wines. She’s also involved with the Loxton North Football and Netball Club and values the community connections that come with living and working in the region.