The Holladay Arts Council recognizes

children’s book author Bernie Hayne for her global mission to empower young readers
to cultivate a positive mindset and follow
their dreams.

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Hayne and her sister grew up under the care of their single father, who carved out a meager living for his small family as a hardworking motor mechanic. After high school, Hayne found her passion for community service
as a police officer, barber and airline flight
attendant. 

Hayne’s awareness of the challenging social class and economic hardship of inner-
city living grew as she served as a police officer in downtown Sydney. Her career in
law enforcement provided the backdrop for her understanding of the secret to outstanding achievement: the special blend of
positivity, persistence and resilience. 

Hayne’s journey eventually led her overseas, where she lived in Indonesia and the United States due to her husband’s work
relocations. While in Salt Lake City, she
earned a barber’s license from Paul
Mitchell and later used those skills to
benefit the underprivileged in society. Upon returning to Australia, she volunteered with the Jack Reed Foundation in Brisbane, providing free haircuts to those in need. It was during this time in 2023 Hayne wrote her first children’s book, “Smile Your Way to Happy,” inspired by her growing
interest in the importance of positive
psychology. This book was soon followed in 2024 by Hayne’s second book, “Learn Your Way to Happy.”

“It’s important for children to develop a positive mindset as young as possible,” Hayne said. “When I was growing up, there weren’t as many opportunities that fostered a positive mindset in children as there are now. Identifying the needed skills for success at a young age can help children cope with all sorts of situations. It enables young people to identify their strengths and set goals, helping children to make better choices, and find focus and
direction in life.”

The first printing of Hayne’s book, “Smile Your Way to Happy,” has sold out, and the
second printing is underway. Hayne has also donated her books to all of the
major children’s hospitals in the U.S. She donated two boxes of books to the Holladay City Huntsman Cancer Center Christmas
project. Locally, Hayne’s books are available at Holladay Library.  

“A friend translated the books into
Spanish and I will be donating several to the Guadalupe Center and to hospitals in
Mexico,” Hayne said. Also, the books have been translated into Bahasa Indonesia.
A friend helped distribute the books to
hospitals and children’s cancer wards and also to orphanages.” 

Hayne’s publishing success has primarily been due to her passion for helping to promote happiness for those in need. 

“I supplied a copy of my books for each room at the Ronald McDonald House in
Brisbane. Children living in the orphanage in
Jakarta, Indonesia were happy to receive a book of their own. My books are about
helping children to live their dreams and
promoting happiness,” she said.

Hayne enjoys a close working relationship with her illustrator Valery Vell, an
animator born in Poland, and who had spent time living in Russia, before moving to
Indonesia. Hayne describes her books as a true collaboration between author, illustrator, translators and publisher. 

In her free moments, Hayne enjoys
fitness training, participating in community
programs such as the Police Citizens
Academy, and at the end of July, she will be
 representing Classic Utah in the Regency
International Pageant in San Antonio, Texas.

Visit Bernie Hayne on Instagram
to learn more about her books
(@smileyourwaytohappy).

To nominate a Holladay resident
for Artist of the Month, visit
www.holladayarts.org/suggest-an-artist λ