This week also marks another milestone for Ashley's family; the first Donate Life Week, established to help reverse Australia's low rate of organ donation.
Ashley's family know that six other Australians are alive today because their son and brother made his wishes known about organ donation.
One of the recipients is a six-year-old girl who would have died had she not received Ashley's liver.
Since the V8 supercar driver and father of two was killed in a high speed racing crash, his sister, Ulladulla's Rachael Martin, has been at the forefront of the Donate Life campaign.
Rachael spends much of her time telling anyone who will listen about the importance of discussing organ donation with loved ones, just as her family did one night over dinner.
"I never imagined we would ever need to recall that conversation and certainly never imagined it would be for our Ash," she said.
"Ash was a fit and healthy young man with the world at his feet. But I am
immensely grateful that we had that chat.
"At a time of extreme emotion, sadness, shock and complete tragedy, we were able to make this colossal decision about donation with ease, confidence and more than anything, great honour," Rachael said.
"My family and I have become extremely passionate about helping to change the fact that lives are lost as people wait for transplants in Australia.
"Sadly nothing could be done to save my beautiful brother but for many Australian families a transplant can save their loved one."
Rachael will this year serve her second year on the Advisory Council for the Australian Organ and Tissue Donation Authority, while running a local business and bringing up her two children.
"Living in Ulladulla means that I have the support of this lovely community when I need it," she said.
"I am so grateful for this and rarely get the chance to thank the wider community for their support to myself and our family.
"From the moment of Ashley's accident their sincere support has not lessened.
"I hope that all of the families in our community can have that important discussion about organ and tissue donation this week. Any day is a good day to discuss donation."
For more information, go to www.donatelife.gov.au
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