Sarah Hayward (née Marcon) is a dynamic professional whose journey from Griffith in regional NSW to becoming a Data Analyst at HealthWISE exemplifies her passion and resilience. A proud Androvian, she was inspired by her sister to pursue her dreams at University of Sydney, where she initially studied mathematics and statistics. After discovering her calling in nursing, Sarah dedicated herself to improving healthcare access for rural communities. Her career path has taken her from hands-on patient care to leveraging data analytics to drive health initiatives in New England and beyond. Beyond her professional achievements, she cherishes the lifelong friendships she formed at College and embraces the rural lifestyle with her husband, Robbie (Fr 2015). With a commitment to community and a love for learning, Sarah is shaping her own future and making a meaningful impact in the lives of others.
Tell us a bit about yourself – where are you originally from, and how did you become a resident at St Andrew’s College?
I grew up in the small country town of Griffith, six hours west of Sydney. I completed all of my schooling locally but always strived to study at Sydney University. My sister was a fresher in 2005, so from a young age, I knew I wanted to go to St Andrew’s College and experience everything the College offers.
What parts of College life were you involved in? Do you have a favourite memory you would like to share?
I tried to get as involved in College life as possible. I was never great at sports or music, but I loved cheering on from the sideline and always loved celebrating the win! I have so many great memories at Drew’s; from Formals at the Aquarium to VD’s with a burning boat. One of my favourite memories would be the final VD—celebrating the year’s Rosebowl, Rawson, and Palladian wins with all your mates (and a foam pit!) is something special.
Did your time at St Andrew’s influence and or impact your life after College?
For sure! College was an important part of my life throughout my three years there, and still impacts me today. I met many of my closest friends in College and have many amazing memories of my College days. College teaches you so many great life skills without you even realising it. You learn how to engage with people from different walks of life and build connections with people quickly. These life skills are invaluable.
Were there particular academic, professional, or personal experiences that motivated you to pursue a career in nursing and then later, data analytics?
I didn’t start in nursing – I went to university to study mathematics and statistics! A few years in, I realised I wanted to do something related to health. The thought of becoming a nurse and being able to help people during some of the most challenging moments of their lives was really appealing. I loved working as a nurse in the hospital and community setting.
When the opportunity arose to combine my two degrees, I jumped at it. I am passionate about improving access to health services for rural and remote communities – working in this space is challenging but extremely rewarding.
After completing your studies, did you spend any time working in Sydney before moving to Tamworth? Why did you move to rural NSW? What has been challenging or beneficial about the change?
I spent a few years working in Sydney before moving rurally. This was during the peak of COVID-19, and anyone working in healthcare during this time remembers how challenging it was. Also, coming from Griffith, I always wanted to move back to a country area. I love the lifestyle of living in a rural community. We moved to the small country town of Quirindi as my now-husband got a great opportunity to work there. As a nurse, I was able to work anywhere. I never really knew what my career would look like, but the opportunities I have had to progress my career and find an area to utilise my skills have been very rewarding.
There are so many benefits of living in a rural community. We had the opportunity to purchase our first home, which we would have never been able to do in a city area. We have met so many amazing people and feel we are a part of the rural community. It can be challenging, though. I drive 120km twice a week to and from work, and many of our weekends are spent travelling to and from Sydney to see family and friends. And I would sometimes love to order Uber Eats and get some Thai takeaway food! But I would definitely say the positives outweigh the negatives.
You worked at Tamworth Hospital as a Registered Nurse, then at Walhallow Aboriginal Corporation as the Practice Manager, and now as a Data Analyst at HealthWISE. Is there anything you miss from your previous roles? What do you enjoy most about your new position?
I have been fortunate to have some great jobs and the opportunity to grow my career. The one thing I miss from my previous role was the patient interaction. You build a special bond with your patients when you nurse them during a difficult period of their lives. It is hard to describe this relationship to people who don’t work in healthcare, but it is a very rewarding aspect of the job.
However, I really enjoy my current role. I never thought it would be possible to use my data analytic skills in a healthcare setting to improve the health outcomes for at-risk communities. Every day is challenging, different, and rewarding.
Can you tell us more about HealthWISE? What motivated you to begin working with this organisation?
HealthWISE is a large organisation with several branches, including mental health, allied health services, and Indigenous Health. Our main aim is to build healthier communities, specifically in rural and remote areas of New England, North West NSW, and Southern QLD.
HealthWISE does a great job of bridging the gap for at-risk communities to access health services, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to assist and grow the organisation. I also love that I get to use my knowledge in data analytics and healthcare to improve rural community access. I am really passionate about improving rural health access, so to be able to do this every day is great.
What does a typical day look like for you as someone working in data analytics (but also living in regional NSW)?
A typical day includes coffee, spreadsheets and meetings! I often meet with external stakeholders to discuss funding opportunities, write and deliver education to new healthcare staff, and run data audits to identify areas of improvement.
What do you like to do outside of your work?
I enjoy catching up with friends, either over a game of social netball or a drink at the pub. I also have quite a large garden, so I enjoy getting out and harvesting our own fresh fruit and vegetables. As we move into the winter months, I love sitting in front of the fire, watching some footy or a good movie.
You met your husband, Robbie Hayward (Fr 2015), at College. What are your fondest memories of your time together at Andrew’s?
We had such a fantastic time together at Drew’s. When you are at College, you make so many friends, but to be able to find someone to spend the rest of your life with is pretty special. It is hard to pinpoint one memory, but nights in the Highlander, black-tie events, and breakfasts in the Dining Hall reminiscing about the night before are all memories I cherish.
What are you reading, watching or listening to at the moment that you’d recommend to others?
I’m reading Alex Through the Looking Glass: How Life Reflects Numbers, and Numbers Reflect Life by Alex Bellos. It is a really interesting book about numbers in everyday life. (shocking- I know, a data analyst who reads books about numbers!!) I also spend much of my day listening to podcasts; I love the Hello Sports Boys for a guaranteed laugh. I have also been watching Marcella on Netflix. We might be a little late to the party, but it is a great murder mystery show that keeps you on the edge of your seat. For something lighter, we love Ted Lasso.
Is there any advice you would give young Androvians looking to pursue a career in the healthcare industry?
Healthcare can be a challenging industry to pursue. It often seems like a 24-hour job; you could be resting on the lounge and still thinking about something that happened three days ago. But it is also so rewarding. The relationships you build and the opportunity to help people during times of need are extremely fulfilling.
Work hard, open your mind to new opportunities and always remember why you got into healthcare when you started your career.