Telling other people’s stories is something Hayley Kennedy does every day – but today, the tables have turned and she has shared her story with me and our readers here on The Box.
Born and raised on a mixed farming property at Biloela in central Queensland, journalism wasn’t always on the cards for AuctionsPlus’ resident journalist, Hayley Kennedy.
"Growing up, I’d always thought I’d be an agronomist, and funnily enough I am now undertaking an ag science degree,” Hayley said.
“I was always good at English in high school, but it wasn’t until I was named one of the winners of ABC’s Haywire competition in 2013 that I found myself on the path to journalism.
“I knew that by doing journalism, I could still be in the ag space anyway, where my heart lies.”
To listen & learn
Balancing a Communications degree with roles on remote properties across western Queensland and the Top End, Hayley’s first few years out of school were far from ordinary, and things got even more interesting when she joined Queensland Country Life.
“That first year really was like jumping straight into the deep end without knowing how to swim, but I was lucky enough to meet some wonderful people in the Goondiwindi district who were willing to give a young journo time out of their busy days,” Hayley said.
“Something I realised very early on as a journalist was that if you just sit and listen, it's amazing what you'll learn.”
More than five years later, Hayley still applies this philosophy, both personally and professionally.
“I love to learn, and I think every person you talk to, you can learn something from them - whether it’s just about their operation, why they do something differently, or the way they see a market trend,” she said.
“Journalism is all about listening for things that most people aren’t listening for.
“You need to have an open mind and look for what that person can teach you, and what they can teach your readers.”
Above: Hayley and friend out on the job.
Bringing new light
Finding the extraordinary in the seemingly ordinary is something Hayley relishes most as a journalist.
“I find people often don’t see themselves the way others see them, and they don’t realise they have a story to tell,” she said.
“A lot of people will tell you they’re not that interesting and that they don’t need a story written about them – that’s a very typical response for any person in ag that you talk to.
“But if I can put a story on paper and have a meaningful impact with not only the person it’s about, but also the people reading it, then I’ll chalk it up to a job well done.”
Onwards and upwards
Now just a few weeks into her new role at AuctionsPlus, Hayley is looking forward to the people she’s going to meet, learn from and write about.
“Being at AuctionsPlus is an exciting opportunity because the business is so ingrained in what farmers do every day,” she said.
“To be able to work with those people and tell their stories is an opportunity I’m looking forward to.”
Arming the industry with the information they need to connect and advance is also something Hayley has her sights set on delivering through her new role in the business.
“Our job as ag journos is not only to give people in ag the knowledge they need at a higher industry and market level to make decisions that will benefit them, but also to connect the people beyond the farm gate to what’s happening on the land,” she said.
“At the end of the day, my job really is as simple as connecting people in ag, no matter where they are.”
View Hayley's profile and read her latest articles here.