Kimberley Families Fly Kids to School Through Floods

When floodwaters cut off remote communities in Western Australia's Kimberley, families found creative ways to make sure their kids still made it to school.

Broome recorded over 400mm of rain this month, with most falling since Monday. The deluge closed the Great Northern Highway and turned roads into rivers, but families in remote areas weren't about to let their children miss lessons.

Shaina Nargoodah-Chungulla watched her kids walk 10 minutes through water from their home in Jimbalakudunj Community to reach the front gate. From there, they caught their two-hour bus ride to school, sometimes with relatives waiting on the other side of flooded creeks to help them across.

"They get happy to go to school," she said, noting the high spirits despite the challenging journey.

Meanwhile, Jack Burton of Kilto Station near Broome took it a step further. With his access road completely washed out, he flew his grandson to school by helicopter.

"We can't get in or out by vehicle at the moment," Burton explained. The lower parts of his property sat under a meter of water, with no dry weather forecast for days.

While some families worked around the floods, traveller Dave Corstorphan embraced them. He and his son camped at the Blue Bush crossing for nearly two days with their dogs, waiting for waters to recede. Armed with satellite internet, he caught up on university assignments and watched brolgas and jabirus wade through the floodwaters.

"The birdlife is phenomenal," he said. "It's absolutely beautiful at this time of year."

Sunny's Take

These stories capture something essential about remote Australian communities. When nature throws challenges their way, families don't see obstacles but opportunities to show what matters most. Kids walking through floodwaters to catch their school bus aren't complaining about hardship but feeling excited about learning. Parents aren't making excuses but finding helicopters. Even travelers stuck at crossings aren't frustrated but grateful for the chance to watch the countryside come alive with rain.

The Great Northern Highway reopened Wednesday morning, but the determination these families showed won't wash away.