With three children aged five and under, Perth mum Nicole Ashby knows how challenging the FIFO lifestyle can be. So she decided to take action – setting up a support network specifically for FIFO families to meet and share their experiences.

Launched in October 2010, www.fifofamilies.com.au has already attracted many families from across Australia and held its first FIFO Family get-together in Perth in late November.

"For two years my husband Joe has worked offshore on an oil rig as a 'roughneck'," says the former social welfare worker and relief teacher. "His roster is four weeks on and four weeks off.  I LOVE the four weeks home side of things! 

"There is no doubt that having a young family and a FIFO husband is the most challenging thing I have ever done in my life. The emotional lows can sometimes seem endless – some days I just really want to have my husband here at my side." 

Nicole says she hasn't worked in paid employment in the past two years because it's been too difficult to arrange kids and care while she works as a relief teacher, plus Joe's income has meant that it is not essential for her to work.

"In March, Joe and I began attending a monthly seminar called 'Money Mastery'. By changing the way I think and what I think about, I came to realise that the lack of family support is an issue for me, so surely it’s an issue for many other FIFO Families. FIFO Families was born!"

The aim of FIFO Families is simple – to create a community of FIFO/DIDO families.  "Then when one FIFO parent is away at work, the family at home has a support base around them if need be," Nicole says.  "It's a great way of making new friends and getting the kids involved with other kids in the same family environment."

Nicole's other aim is to provide family-friendly information about resource sector companies. 

"Many of these companies are so big that going on to their website is like wading through a swamp. It would be great for kids (and partners/wives) to see pictures of where Dad sleeps when he is at work, where he eats, what machinery he works on, that sort of thin," she says. 

"One of my children actually thought Daddy worked on a plane because we would take him to the airport to get to work. 

"I want to strengthen that family connection when the FIFO parent/Dad is at work."

For all the details and to register with FIFO Families, check out the website www.fifofamilies.com.au