Helen Fitzroy

Helen Fitzroy is one of Australia’s leading advocates for workplace safety and family support following industrial tragedy. Her journey began in 1991 when her husband, Steve, was killed in a mining accident in Norseman, Western Australia—an event that changed the course of her life and set her on a path of advocacy, support, and education.

In the years following Steve’s death, Helen began writing as a way to navigate her grief and support her three young children. Those private writings eventually became Just a Number, a powerful book documenting the emotional, legal and bureaucratic challenges families face after a workplace fatality. Today, Just a Number is widely used across Australian industry to educate workers and families about the profound and long-lasting consequences of workplace accidents. The book was later adapted into a training DVD in 2007 and remains a staple resource for mining and industrial organisations.

Driven by her determination to improve both workplace safety standards and the support available to bereaved families, Helen led the establishment of the Western Australian Resource Workers Legacy Scheme—now known as Miners’ Promise—in 2010. As the organisation’s founding Chairperson, she helped build a sustainable, nation-wide support system ensuring that no resource worker’s family faces hardship or isolation after a death or crisis. Miners’ Promise provides ongoing emotional, financial and practical assistance tailored to the needs of affected families, and has since expanded to include resource workers from all jurisdictions.

Helen’s leadership and dedication have been recognised at the highest levels. In 2012, she was named WA Local Hero – Australian of the Year for her pivotal role in founding Miners’ Promise and supporting families impacted by workplace tragedy. In 2023, she received the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her services to the Australian mining industry, cementing her legacy as a national leader in safety and bereavement advocacy.

Alongside her advocacy work, Helen is a qualified Grief Counsellor, supporting individuals and families experiencing the devastating loss of a loved one. Her lived experience, combined with her professional training, enables her to provide compassionate, practical and authentic guidance to those navigating some of life’s most difficult moments.

Today, Helen Fitzroy is a sought-after speaker and educator, sharing her story and insights with workplaces, industry leaders, and communities across Australia. Through her presentations, writing and counselling, she continues to drive cultural change, champion safety, and ensure that the human cost of workplace tragedy is never forgotten.