Two beautiful lives.
One powerful legacy.
Honouring Nicole and Julie.
INSPIRING SAFER, BRAVER LIVES
From personal tragedy to global impact, the Nicole & Julie Fitzsimons Foundation champions travel safety and supports passionate young performers and athletes in sports and the arts.
Our Mission
Raise awareness about travel safety and the risks of overseas travel
Offer financial grants to young Australians in sport & performing arts
Our Impact
200+ school presentations
$250,000+ in grants awarded
10+ years of community education and youth support
Our Story
In 2012, Nicole’s life was tragically cut short in a motorbike accident in Thailand. A gifted dancer and rising journalist, she lived life with passion and purpose. Her family created the Foundation to carry that spirit forward.
Remembering Julie
In May 2025, Julie Fitzsimons—the rock of our family and heartbeat of Nicole’s Foundation—was also tragically killed by a reckless driver in the US. Her devotion to Nicole’s legacy powered everything we’ve built. Her kindness and courage will live on in every life we touch.
A New Name & A Shared Legacy
To honour both Nicole and Julie,
we’ve renamed our charity …
The Nicole and Julie Fitzsimons Foundation
Their shared legacy of compassion, courage, and contribution lives on.
We're currently refreshing our site to reflect our new name and next chapter.
— STAY CONNECTED AS WE RELAUNCH SOON —
Meet the Incredible Women and Learn Their Legacy
“Julie is my wife of 41 years who I lost so tragically whilst we were holidaying in May, 2025. I can’t see how we will ever accept losing her to the needless and reckless act which killed her.
Apart from being my best friend and wife, Julie was an amazing mother to our three beautiful children and her three little grandchildren as well as being the matriarch of our close and extended family. Not having Julie in our lives is an unimaginable loss to bear. Knowing the person Julie is, she would no doubt want us to continue the tireless work she undertook for the Foundation. Renaming the charity the “Nicole & Julie Fitzsimons Foundation” was the most natural thing to do in her honour and we will continue to help those who through Sport and Performing Art are overcoming adversity in their lives. Julie was the heart and soul of the Foundation and we are very proud to carry forward her selfless legacy through their charity which she loved and devoted her life to.
Almost 13 years ago, we were woken in the middle of the night to the horrifying news that our beautiful 24 year old daughter Nicole was a victim to a speeding motorist in Thailand. Losing Nicole left a devastating hole in our family. As a ballerina and performer who achieved such amazing results through her talent and dedication, Nicole would often lament on the many young people she met who could not afford to develop their skill and talent as they did not have the financial support to pursue their passion in the way Nicole was able to. In creating the Foundation we were determined to honour our beautiful daughter Nicole by assisting those in need to enrich their lives by participating in sport or performing art.
We are extremely proud to express the depth of our love by renaming the Foundation as a legacy to both Nicole and Julie – they are again together in each other’s arms and we are here to continue and honour them through the work of their Foundation.”
VINCE FITZSIMONS
Father & Husband
“The two women who shaped me most are no longer here physically, but their love, their resilience, and their belief in making a difference are woven into everything I do.
Nicole taught me to live boldly. Mum taught me to love deeply and give selflessly.
I was so proud to run this Foundation alongside Mum for 12 years—her determination to help others through our work was beyond inspiring. I was especially in awe of her bravery every time she stood up to speak in honour of Nicole at our events. She carried her heartbreak with such grace and strength.
I will do all I can to carry this Foundation forward with the same courage, fierceness, and passion that she did—because now I’m doing it for not just one angel, but two.
KATE GLADDIN
Sister & Daughter
To Donate
Your generous support helps the Nicole & Julie Fitzsimons Foundation continue the work Nicole and Julie were so passionate about:
Providing financial grants to help young performing artists and sportspeople achieve their dreams—whether on stage or on the field.
Promoting vital travel safety awareness to help protect lives and prevent future tragedies.
ALL DONATIONS OF $2 OR MORE ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.