Australian Story: Nicola Forrest (ABC TV Mon 25 April 2022)

Nicola Forrest emerges out of the shadow of her sometimes-controversial husband Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest to reveal the very personal motivation behind the family’s philanthropy in a television exclusive.

Ms Forrest has spent much of their 30-year marriage focusing on the responsibilities of wife and mother, avoiding the spotlight to shield her children from the glare of public scrutiny.

She is now ready to use her influence to give voice to a cause near and dear to her heart.

Matilda Forrest, the Forrest family’s third child, died at birth. The Forrests have been on a personal quest for answers since losing her.

“I think the cornerstone for my mum and my dad in their work is that the way in which they lost Matilda was completely out of their control and I think that is what definitely drove them to think what is in our ability to change? What can we control in outcome for other children?” daughter Grace Forrest says.

As the Forrests’ fortune rose as a result of their successful Fortescue mining venture, so did their philanthropy.

With an estimated nett worth of $25 billion, they’ve committed to give away the great bulk of their fortune during their lives, with some monies going to their Thrive by Five project.

“The vision and the mission statement are to help every Australian child reach their full potential,” says Nicola Forrest.

“The thing that I had absolutely learnt was 90 percent of the brain is formed in those first five years. And more than 20 per cent of children arrive at school developmentally delayed here in Australia, which is just unspeakable.”

Ms Forrest is aware that not all attention will be positive when she comes into the spotlight. But she is unafraid to press ahead with her effort to influence legislators for early childhood education reform.

“I’ve decided that if not me, then who? And I also realise that I have the opportunity to speak to people that other people may not have access to. And so I’ve decided that I am prepared to use my voice to help others.”

Producer: Caitlin Shea

Airdate: Monday 25 April 2022 at 8.00pm on ABC TV.

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