Introducing Michelle Knox
Business Analyst at Barrick’s Granny Smith mine site, 31-year-old Michelle Knox, has lent her support to WIMWA’s newly launched awareness campaign – The other side of FIFO.
Michelle has been working FIFO for the past eight years, with her first stint a round trip between Perth and Tanzania where she would work a six week on, three week off roster.
And she admits to there being plenty of benefits to the lifestyle.
“My FIFO lifestyle has allowed me to pursue my love of travel,” she said. “Being based overseas was a different experience, and one I really enjoyed. It also gave me the opportunity to travel to places including Jordan, Africa, Paris, Peru, Amsterdam and US in my breaks. In terms of fitting in travel, I definitely preferred working a longer rotation.
“I also met my partner in Tanzania, where he was also working FIFO, and although we are now both Perth-based we’re able to align our schedules during our breaks.”
Michelle has now been working a monthly eight day on, six day roster, followed by a shorter four day on, three day off rotation since September at the Granny Smith site near Laverton.
“When you’re on site, it’s all about the work; it’s hard to be distracted by anything else but the lifestyle is great and, not having any kids, it works brilliantly for me,” she said.
“Working FIFO is a choice, and you need to decide what will work for you and your family. You need to be doing FIFO for the right reasons.”
Women in Mining WA (WIMWA) was founded in 2003 to support women working in the largely male-dominated mining and resources sector.
The other side of FIFO is the organisation’s current awareness campaign which aims to foster a more balanced view of the industry’s Fly in Fly out lifestyle by giving voice to the individuals, both males and females, working in the sector.
