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2024 Women to Watch

This year we showcase over 80 South Australian women to watch throughout the year. From business, to careers, arts to science. This year’s selected women highlight the depth and diversity of the women in our state and also the vast array of opportunities to develop a business or career in South Australia. Find our more about our inaugural Women to Watch initiative here.


Hayley is a neurodivergent social worker with twenty years of direct experience in culturally and linguistically diverse communities, including nine years of experience as a counsellor for torture and trauma survivors from refugee backgrounds. She currently works as a counsellor in a multidisciplinary practice team at the University of South Australia. Hayley has been privileged to have a long background in a diverse range of roles working with young people in remote and regional Aboriginal community services, not-for-profit organisations supporting children under Guardianship of the Minister, founding community development projects and Tsnumani disaster resilience in India, facilitating youth arts and cultural development projects in Sri Lanka and social recreation programs in the UK.

In her spare time, Hayley enjoys nature walks with her family, learning Sinhala, gardening/caring for indoor plants and spending time with her horse.

// Favourite inspirational quote
“Be the change you want to see in the world” Mahatma Ghandi

// Let’s get to know you
I am a mama of two darling boys, our first born is a Rainbow Baby. I have an old horse, who once carried me across tropical mountains. Long time social worker: for over a decade I worked in my dream role as a counsellor supporting children and adolescent survivors of torture and trauma from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds. My heart work.

Since relocating to South Australia, I have found myself taking upon a counsellor role in a University alongside individuals navigating their academic journey, while they also learn about what supports their wellbeing. This role has also allowed my own profound learning and development in a way that I thought only “heart work” could do.

I am a lover of towering trees, cultural wisdom, indoor plants and remote beaches. I am proudly neurodivergent. I am also a published poet and currently writing a children’s book exploring the ways families nurture love and connection while living worlds apart.

Whilst on maternity leave in 2019, we were residing in my husbands’ homeland of Sri Lanka. Long before we even met on the island, my heart was forever drawn to the magnificent natural beauty of this nation. As a new parent, I daydreamed about creating beautiful products with a focus on nurturing secure attachment with a touch of village life and cultural wisdom. As it turns out, our island lifestyle inspired me to pursue the creation of my small business Little Koko; bespoke lullaby/brown noise comforters and matching accessories for calming, connection and deeper sleep. My product line promotes the deep significance of those beautiful “rituals” scattered throughout the day; the emotional side of a routine internally motivated to help babies feel calm, safe and delighted. They are the intentional ways of approaching a routine; moments that are cherished and eagerly anticipated by baby. Rituals are sensory-rich interactions that allow baby to reach bedtime with their love-cup filled up, which means easier settling and improved sleep outcomes.

// What makes you a Woman to Watch for 2024?
I am a Woman to Watch in 2024 because I offer my heart to everything I do; raising children who are growing up proud and strongly connected to their cultural heritage; holding a long term career that has a meaningful impact; and growing a business that is ever heart-warming, authentic and true to my values, with a beautiful ethos that shines through on every level.

Wherever possible, every aspect of my business has been carefully considered to ensure that Little Koko has been kind to the earth and fair to her people. What better sentiment can we teach our children to carry closest to their heart?

// What is your goal or intention for the year ahead? And how are you going to achieve it?
I have a goal to expand my practice wisdom and skillset by finalising my Mental Health Social Worker Accreditation, opening myself up to the opportunity of private practice and cultivating my long-term career plans through professional development in all things youth+neuro-affirming.

My plans for business growth include the introduction of my final two absolutely gorgeous comforter characters, through an adventurous crowd funding campaign, whilst growing the Little Koko social enterprise project Womens Circle. The beautiful women involved in this self-directed project are living in rural areas of the Sri Lankan Southern Province. In my first year of business, I have been able to provide four electric sewing machines to the group and ordered the production of 500 “Women’s Circle Gift Bags”. My business covers material supply, production wages and returns 100% of the profits of the bags sold for distribution to the participants.

It is a key goal and dream that as my business grows, I will be able to sustain ongoing employment opportunities for the participants, not only through my Gift Bag orders but through funding the start-up provisions required for the Women’s Circle to become makers and suppliers of washable and reusable menstrual pads made of 100% cotton fabric for local women. I have designed a prototype cloth pad consisting of a waterproof outer shell (latex covered cotton) with a trifold flannel insert, which can be opened and removed for easy and discreet washing. The menstrual pads will be highly absorbent, leak proof and washable by hand allowing equitable and dignified menstrual care and access to livelihood activities. This goal would include the development of culturally appropriate and factually translated information booklets for psychoeducation on menstruation to increase health literacy, decreased stigma and natural pain relief.

// What would being a Woman to Watch mean to you?
Being a Woman to Watch in 2024 would represent the year that I was finally ready to be in a spotlight; the year where I feel and show no fear in speaking up. It would mean acknowledgment, feeling seen and celebrated. A boost of confidence and reassurance that I am doing exactly what I am meant to be doing.

// What would you like to see for the future of South Australian women and girls?
I would love to see all young women fully embrace what I have only experienced for the first time as a grown woman; to speak up without fear, to know they deserve acknowledgment and recognition, to celebrate without self-doubt and to feel safe and secure in every realm of their life.


Get in touch with Hayley:

Website: www.littlekoko.com.au

Check out all of the incredible Women to Watch for 2024 here as their profiles are uploaded throughout the year.

To become an SA Woman Member, check out our Membership Options here.

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