Hayley’s Passion for Hire – we Interview an HRIA Program Mentor

From Bookkeeper to Manager and Industry Mentor, Eaglehawk Hire’s Hayley Stockdale is Redefining What it Means to Forge a Career in Hire.

HAYLEY STOCKDALE DOESN’T OFTEN TAKE NO FOR an answer.

“I’m a very determined person,” says Hayley. “When I was young, I’d ask to do something and although mum would say no, I’d do it anyway.”

It’s indicative of the spirit she brings to her work as manager of Bendigo’s Eaglehawk Hire, a role she’s held since 2017…and a reflection of how she’s built a successful career in hire over more than two decades.

After completing Year 12 in 1995, Hayley worked as the receptionist for her dad’s travel agency in Bendigo. She studied to become a bookkeeper and accepted a bookkeeping role in a large local company. Over the next few years, she married, had two children and returned to the company in a part-time capacity. It wasn’t long before she was keen to seek new work opportunities and that’s when Hayley ‘accidentally’ fell into hire.

“I saw an ad for Bendigo Hire who were looking for a data entry assistant, two to three days a week,” she recalls. “I knew I could do the work so I walked in and they said, ‘when can you start?’”

That was 2002 and by the end of her first few weeks, she knew hire was where she wanted to be.

“Through data entry, I gained a great introduction into all aspects of the business including the gear, the people and the atmosphere,” she says, “I enjoyed the industry and thought it was where I could see my future.”

As her hours increased, so did her responsibilities, including answering customer calls. “It was the spark that drove me to learn everything I could about hire,” she says. “Instead of customers asking to talk to ‘one of the boys’, they could talk to me instead.”

After 15 years at Bendigo Hire, Hayley was given an opportunity to step into a management role for a couple of months. “We had 15-20 staff and I was the glue,” says Hayley. “If there was a fight, I was the counsellor, the deliveries ran smoothly and the business ran smoothly.”

When the owners advertised for a new assistant manager, Hayley put up her hand knowing she could do the job, however, she was told their preference was to employ a male with at least 10 years’ managerial experience. After interviewing several unsuccessful applicants, Hayley was invited to apply. “I had my interview, and they came back to me saying, ‘Congratulations, you’ve got the job,” she recalls, “but by this stage, my gut feeling was to move on.”

She says it wasn’t about the money. “Mum always said that it doesn’t matter if you earn $800 or $8,000 a week, you work hard and live within your means,” says Hayley. “Instead, it was about being treated the same as anyone else coming into that position. So, while I didn’t have any hard feelings towards them, I knew I couldn’t stay.”

With a limited number of hire businesses in Bendigo at the time — and news travelling fast — a friend reached out about a potential management role at Eaglehawk Hire. She got the job, training under the owner for three months before he retired.

It was a challenging role with no budget and aging equipment, so Hayley started small. As the equipment was gradually updated, more customers started to come through the doors, changing the outlook of the business. Seven years later, the business has grown from three to 15 staff and increased their hire fleet significantly.

She credits some of her success to longevity in the industry. “People know me from Bendigo Hire and that’s helped,” says Hayley. “I’ve lived in Bendigo my whole life and sometimes people just want to talk to someone local. Once they come and see our gear, they’re like, ‘Wow, this is great’.”

Today, with more than two decades in the industry, she’s a great advocate for hire. “It’s hard work but it’s such a great industry because there’s always something to learn.”

Hayley now shares her experience and passion for the industry as a mentor with the HRIA’s Women in Hire Development Program, a role she’s done for the past three years.

Her mentee in the 2024/25 cohort is Michaela White, a Hire Controller at Access Hire in the Melbourne suburb of Clayton. Michaela is a former primary school teacher who recently joined the industry.

“I had no knowledge of hire before coming into the role so it’s taken a while to get my head around things,” says Michaela. “I’m still learning but I don’t think that’s ever going to stop.”

Their first meeting was comfortable and relaxed. “Michaela was very genuine and friendly, and on doing our DiSC profiles at our first meeting, we realised we were exactly the same,” says Hayley.

Michaela agrees. “It’s great to have a mentor who is my personality type. I’m lucky I get to watch what she’s doing and draw from her experience. It’s been incredibly valuable.”

From a mentoring perspective, Hayley says Michaela’s excitement and interest in the industry has been refreshing. “I invited her to visit us in Bendigo and see what we do,” says Hayley. “We walked around the yard and she was full of questions but also legitimately proud when she was able to talk knowledgeably about some of our equipment.”

Spending time with Hayley has now given Michaela a glimpse of what’s possible in the industry. “She’s given me permission to just be myself at work and shown me that it is possible to have longevity in hire while still living your life.”

As for Hayley, she’s delighted to be able to give something back.

“To have an eager person ask you questions, want to hear your story and feel excited about their future in this industry really reignites the passion for what you do,” she says. “It’s so worthwhile.”