Nicole Ashby

WITH a husband who works on an oil rig off Barrow Island and three young children, Nicole Ashby knows all too well the isolation of life as a fly-in, fly-out wife and mother.
Recognising the effect FIFO can have on families across the state, and drawing on her training as a social worker and teacher, Ms Ashby developed FIFO Families, a support service for FIFO workers and their families.
Working with the resources industry and government agencies, FIFO Families aims to bring “peace, harmony and connections” to FIFO workers and their families.
FIFO Families’ growth has been staggering. The first support group meeting was held in December 2010 with five families, and there are now 10,000 members and 64 groups nationally, supported by 65 leaders working on a voluntary basis.
Mrs Ashby has used the media to build the profile of FIFO Families, performing more than 200 media interviews with various outlets. She regularly speaks at seminars and conferences on the impact of FIFO work.
Mrs Ashby received the St Vincent de Paul Society Community Service Award as a 40under40 winner in 2014.