Bunbury mum wins an inspirational trip up north

Mrs Cousins recently entered a TripleM Southwest competition to take a guided tour of the state’s north with presenter Cliff Reeve, courtesy of Kimberley Outback Tours. 

Along with her friend Lynise and staff from the radio station, Mrs Cousins flew to Broome and began a tour of the state’s North West. 

The group visited a number of town including Derby, Wyndham and travelled the Gibb River Road.

Flooding which caused road closures then forced the group to visit Kununurra, a place they hadn’t originally planned on travelling to. 

“I have a real personal connection to the Kununurra region and while I was reluctant to go that way at first, it soon became clear that everything happens for a reason,” Mrs Cousins said. 

In 2008, Mrs Cousins lost her daughter Jessica, who died alongside her friends Sarah and Whitney in a helicopter crash while the group were exploring the Bungle Bungles. 

Nine years later, Mrs Cousins was given the chance to visit the plaque dedicated to the three young girls at Kelly’s Knob just in time for Mother’s Day. 

“The only thing that survived the crash was Jess’s camera which was full of beautiful photos of the region,” Mrs Cousins said. 

“This trip gave me the chance to feel really close to her and we kept saying to each other, we could not have planned the number of pure coincidences that happened out there.

“It is clear to me the girls showed us what they wanted us to see.”

Mrs Cousins said she was extremely grateful to TripleM Southwest for helping to give her a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

“Everyone on our recent trip was treated to a gift from the three girls, who the locals refer to as the Kimberley Stars,” she said. 

“It’s safe to say the Kimberley stars shone a little brighter during that week.”