In January 2023, as floodwaters tore through Fitzroy Crossing as a result of ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie, the scale of devastation quickly became national news. Roads were washed away. Communities were cut off. The bridge across the Fitzroy River, a critical lifeline, was destroyed.
But for LML Insurance Group, this wasn’t just another headline.
It was personal.
When the call came from clients trapped in the chaos, Bryan and the team didn’t hesitate. Within 24 hours, flights were booked to Kununurra via Broome, and the largest SUV available was hired. Not for comfort, but for capacity.
Wide-brimmed hats. Sunscreen. Cooler boxes, bottled water, fresh bread, butter and vegetables. Jerry cans filled with petrol and diesel. Supplies their clients desperately needed as they faced unimaginable clean-up efforts in sweltering, humid heat.
And then came the drive, nearly 700 kilometres, because the direct road from Broome was flooded and in parts completely washed away.
That’s what showing up looks like.
A Disaster in the Kimberley
It was mid-thirties heat, but the humidity made it suffocating. By the time the team reached Fitzroy Crossing, the scene was confronting.
The Australian Defence Force had been deployed to assist with recovery, provide essential supplies, and maintain safety. LML lodged at Fitzroy River Lodge, alongside defence personnel, the only accommodation available.
To assess client businesses stranded across the river on the mainland, LML were flown over by military helicopter.
What they saw was devastating.
Waterlines marking just how high the river had peaked
Buildings destroyed beyond repair
The stench of dead livestock
Streets reduced to mud and debris
And locals standing in shock, having lost everything
But amid the destruction, something powerful stood out: community. Neighbours helping neighbours. Quiet resilience. A shared determination to rebuild.
Many locals said this wasn’t their “first rodeo.” But it was the roughest.
Where Insurance Advice Changes Lives
One story, in particular, defines why LML Insurance Group does what they do.
A couple who had lived in Fitzroy since the 1970s believed they had lost everything, and would receive nothing.
Their bank had told them they had no flood cover on their buildings policy.
They were broken. Exhausted. Completely defeated.
But something didn’t sit right.
LML investigated.
Not only did they have flood cover, they were also entitled to:
Accommodation expenses that had never been offered
A full contents sum insured payout
And significantly more for their buildings claim
After months of negotiation and relentless advocacy, LML secured:
Payment for temporary accommodation
Full contents payout
A buildings settlement almost double the bank’s original offer
This wasn’t just a claim win.
It was the difference between despair and hope.
It was the moment that made the exhausting trip even more worthwhile.
Wayne Bergmann, Managing Director of Leedal Foundation Limited, shared a few words:
“Bryan and Kirstin travelled from Perth at short notice to stand alongside Leedal’s group of businesses following the January 2023 floods in Fitzroy Crossing. Every one of our operations was impacted. It was an incredibly confronting and uncertain time — not only for our businesses, but for the entire community.
They called as soon as they landed in Kununurra and immediately mobilised. Their hire vehicles were packed with critical supplies to help address shortages — petrol in jerry cans, fresh and frozen food, and essential items that were simply unavailable locally. With only air access to the western side of the river and limited road access from the east, logistics were extremely difficult. Their foresight and urgency made a real and immediate difference at a time when every small act of support mattered.
On the ground, they went far beyond what anyone would expect of insurance brokers. They worked shoulder to shoulder with our team, helping us navigate complex insurance processes while also supporting others in the community who were trying to understand their position. They rolled up their sleeves wherever needed, in offices, in flooded premises, and in conversations that required patience and care. Their presence brought not only practical assistance, but reassurance and calm during a period of significant stress.
Given the scale of claims and the reality that flood coverage was limited, the hurdles were substantial. Bryan and Kirstin remained steady and committed throughout, guiding us through each step with professionalism and empathy. Their willingness to step outside the traditional boundaries of their role did not go unnoticed.
Their hands-on support made a meaningful difference in helping us regain stability and begin the process of getting back on our feet. It was support delivered with integrity, compassion and genuine care for our community.’’
The LML Team Here to Help
The Fitzroy floods of 2023 will be remembered as one of the worst natural disasters to impact the Kimberley region. The muddy waterlines etched into buildings remain as silent markers of just how high the river rose.
But what won’t be forgotten by LML’s clients is this:
When the worst happened, their Broker got on a plane. Drove 700km through damaged roads. Delivered supplies. They walked the properties. Flew across a river in a military helicopter. And fought for every dollar they were entitled to.
That’s not transactional insurance.
That’s partnership. That’s advocacy.
That’s LML Insurance Group, living by their mantra: to be the Broker that goes beyond beyond.
For more information, contact us at:
Please give us a call on (08) 6383 2000 or email us at admin@lmlinsurancegroup.com