Rob and Judy watch the Rugby from the kitchen counter.

Rob cleans up in the kitchen whilst Judy lays on the couch watching TV.

Trae slouches on the couch, whilt Rob is preparing dinner and Judy is outside smoking.

Rob talks to Trae and Jordan whilst they are seated for dinner.

Eldest son Trae plays with mother Judy on the occasions that he is home.

Judy and Rob laugh with each other.

Judy and Jordan sit outside chatting whilst Rob goes to prepare dinner on the barbeque for the family.

Rob Bridgeman often watches Rugby with a beer outside after preparing dinner for the family. He usually cooks and eats his food just before he goes to bed, and lets the family eat alone.

Robyn makes her way to her bedroom as Judy read the mail from that day.

Jordan has come home with a new tattoo behind his ear. Judy checks to make sure it is healing properly.

Judy arrives home from work with bras for her daughter Robyn.

Judy and Robyn discuss Robyn's phone bill.

Judy sits alone outside patting pet dog, Marmite, waiting for Rob to call her from the mines to say goodnight.

Whilst Rob is home, Judy likes to spend as much time as she can with him. They talk outside, but Rob likes to keep an eye on the TV inside to see the scores of the rugby.

Judy walking to the car to collect things. Rob's car is covered up.

On one of the many occasions that it is only Robyn and Judy home, Robyn makes herself toast for dinner.

Jordan is preparing to go out with somes mates. Judy questions where he is going and what he will be doing all night.

Robyn lies in bed watching her favorite movie at the time, Frozen, whilst being on her laptop and checking her phone. She often spends her time here as there is no one else home to entertain her or talk to.

Judy finishes getting ready for bed and flick the light off in her big walk in wardrobe.

The Families Behind the Mines: The Bridgemans Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia By Monique Montfroy Veiw of the street and suburbia where the Bridgeman family lives. After a long day at work, Judy pulls into the driveway, the garage door opens electronically and the silhouette of Robís Chevrolet concealed by a car cover is another reminder of his absence. Judy manages a retail store five days a week to occupy herself while Rob, her partner of twenty years, is away working and the kids are at school or out with their friends. Robyn Bridgeman has been flying in and out of the Pilbara mines in Western Australia for 18 years. When Rob is not working in the mines instructing over 500 men, he is at home on the Gold Coast. The Australian mining industry equates to 55 percent of the total goods exported from Australia (in 2010-11) and is the fourth-largest contributor to Australiaís Gross Domestic Product. Aside from common discussions regarding wages, environment and living conditions, little research has been done in regards to the families of miners. Especially families of fly in fly out (FIFO) or drive in drive out (DIDO) miners, and the impacts that this has on relationships. Rob and Judy have three children, Trae (19), Jordan (18) and Robyn (14). Working three weeks on one week off, Rob misses many occasions in his childrenís lives including birthdays, Father's Day and Christmas. While Rob is away, Judy is forced to control life at home, balancing her full time job and her childrenís everyday schedules. Judy wakes up and vacuums the house every morning before getting ready for work and waking Robyn for school. Judy clocks on at 9:00 a.m. and clocks off from work at 5:30 p.m. Often she arrives home to her daughter Robyn in her room watching TV and on her laptop whilst lying in bed. Rob cooks big home-style meals for the family when he is home. Usually it is a roast with potatoes, pumpkins, peas and greens. This is a stark alternative to the jam on toast t

Robs Chevertelle sits uncovered next to Judy's car in the garage. A sign he is home.

Judy and daughter Robyn hug in the driveway to their home.