Nicole grew up in a loving family in Cape Town, South Africa before moving to Australia with her parents and siblings at the end of high school.
Nicole met her husband Chris in her early twenties, married young, and together navigated early adventures including running a café and art gallery in Hawk’s Nest. After starting her family, she devoted herself to raising two children. She found joy and perspective in daily life through creativity, coastal walks, and her Christian faith.
Nicole’s background as a graphic artist influenced her love for creative expression, while her home life was always focused on strong family ties and nurturing her children’s unique personalities.
Nicole’s life as a Sydney mum whose life has been divided into two distinct parts: “before”, when suicide was an unfathomable tragedy that affected other families; and “after”, when the reality and possibility of suicide arrived as an unwelcome guest; one that was unable to be evicted, and who eventually took up permanent residence.
After her daughter’s miraculous survival from her first suicide attempt at the tender age of thirteen, Nicole’s world turned upside down and inside out. From caring for a critically injured child back to physical health; navigating the quagmire of our mental health, education and justice systems for a child in subsequent suicidal distress; to ultimately being bereaved by suicide.
Nicole’s perspectives, prejudices and priorities from the life “before” have been challenged. With a strong faith in God; the blessings of a wonderful husband and son; a supportive and loving network of family, friends & church community; plus an incredibly adorable Pomeranian; Nicole is trying to navigate life without her precious Emma, who is forever sixteen.
She shares her story to offer perspective and compassion, encouraging kindness, gratitude, and understanding in others’ struggles.
Social Media
www.youtube.com/@missing-emma
www.facebook.com/EmmasMemorial
https://www.instagram.com/fizzgig_the_pom
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We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.
Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.
If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here – https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact
We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!
Warmly,
The Kintsugi Heroes team
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Theme Song: “Broken” by Colin Lillie
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🎙️ ABOUT KINTSUGI HEROES
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Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit Australian podcast network sharing real stories of resilience, disability, and transformation.
Named after the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold — the philosophy that what’s been broken can become more beautiful for the mending — every episode honours the cracks, the rebuild, and the human underneath.
📺 Series on this channel:
– Kintsugi Heroes — real stories of resilience | hosted by John Milham
– Animals & Us — the human-animal bond | hosted by Natalie Stockdale
– Grit Diaries: from Grit to Grace — stories of struggle and strength | hosted by Simone Allan & Maryan Bova
– From There to Here — navigating life’s turning points | hosted by Emma Bellamy-Dodd
– Golden Threads — stories of disability & resilience | hosted by Dan Dougherty
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