OUR STORY
Hi, I’m Vicky Pellowe, founder of The FIFO Family Project
I started working FIFO on remote construction projects in Western Australia in 2013. It was hard work but incredibly rewarding and I saw firsthand the daily pressures of working away from home and loved ones for weeks at a time.
As a long‑time mental health advocate, I was closely involved in site wellbeing initiatives and could see how much support workers needed.
In 2018, everything changed. At 33 weeks pregnant, I returned to Perth after years of working away. My husband stayed in his FIFO role in the Pilbara and I suddenly found myself adjusting to life as a first‑time parent, while living FIFO from the other side of the airport departure lounge. That shift came with its own unique challenges.
support for every member of the FIFO family
Over time, our family grew to two kids and FIFO life kept evolving. I was working part‑time in Perth while my husband continued to fly in and out. Whenever I met other parents with FIFO partners, I was reminded how resilient FIFO families are -and how much they carry.
But something was missing. While FIFO workers had some resources to help them manage the demands of the job, there was very little support for the families. Online, I saw the same pattern: parents reaching out for advice and mainly finding solidarity and sympathy rather than practical solutions and services.
In April 2024, I launched The FIFO Family Project to provide a coordinated, evidence‑informed support platform for FIFO families – building community, improving access to support and creating resources that directly address the realities of FIFO life for workers, partners and children.
Our Mission
The FIFO Family Project exists to fill the gap in dedicated support for FIFO families.
Our purpose is simple: stronger families, brighter futures.
Our mission is to provide proactive support for stronger FIFO families.
Through social connection, practical resources and educational workshops, we support FIFO workers, partners and children to build sustainable FIFO lifestyles.
When families are supported at home, workplaces are safer and communities are stronger.
Our Impact
stats updated monthly (MARCH 2026)Meet-ups +
EVENTS HELD
FIFO family members SIGNED-UP FOR EVENTS
PRIVATE GROUP community members
ESTIMATED FIFO WORKERS IN AUSTRALIA
Our Board Members
The FIFO Family Project Ltd Board is comprised of industry experts and professional advisors, with the shared motivation of supporting
FIFO families and their communities.
Vicky Pellowe
Chair
CEO &
Founder
Nicole Ashby
Director
Business Mentor, PR + Media trainer
Mandy Boylan
Director
Lead People + Change Readiness
PARTNER WITH US
The FIFO Family Project provides specialised, family‑focused support for FIFO workforces.
We understand the operational, safety and retention risks that arise when FIFO workers and their families are not adequately supported.
Our services are designed to strengthen the entire FIFO ecosystem – workers, families and communities -through evidence‑informed programs that enhance wellbeing, resilience and connection.
By addressing the needs of both workers and their families, we help organisations build safer, more sustainable and higher‑performing FIFO workforces.