Joanne Appelbee
Joanne Appelbee is a mother who, along with her two children, faced a harrowing ordeal when they became stranded in rough seas off the coast of Western Australia. While kayaking and paddleboarding in Geographe Bay, she demonstrated remarkable bravery and resilience, especially when instructing her eldest son to swim to shore for help as their situation became increasingly perilous. Her family was eventually rescued thanks to her son Austin's courageous swim, and she has expressed immense pride in his actions.
Not in the pool (under ¢1).
Recent news mentions
Joanne Appelbee sent her oldest child for help because she could not leave the three children.
Police release emergency call of Australian boy who swam hours to rescue family – The Irish Times
Ireland· 2026-02-11
Joanne, Austin's mother, described the terrifying moment when they were separated by a wave.
Austin Appelbee’s triple zero call made after heroic swim released
Australia· 2026-02-11Joanne Appelbee stated that sending her eldest son, Austin, to swim back to shore was the 'most difficult decision of her life'.
13-Jähriger schwimmt mehrere Kilometer im Ozean, um Familie zu retten - Australien
Austria· 2026-02-04
Joanne Appelbee says asking her 13-year-old son Austin to swim four hours through dangerous waters to get help after her family was swept out to sea was 'one of the hardest decisions' she has ever made.
Mother says asking 13-year-old son to swim four hours to save family ‘one of the hardest decisions’ | Western Australia
United Kingdom· 2026-02-04
Joanne Appelbee made the difficult decision to send her eldest son, Austin, in search of help while she stayed with her younger children.
Rapaz de 13 anos nada quatro horas e salva família à deriva no mar na Austrália | Acidentes
Portugal· 2026-02-04
Joanne Appelbee sent her oldest child for help because she could not leave all her children stranded in the ocean.
13-year-old Australian boy swims for hours to save his mother and siblings who were swept away | World News
Jamaica· 2026-02-04Joanne Appelbee advised her son Austin to swim to shore to get help for the family.
Un menor conmociona a Australia tras nadar durante cuatro horas para salvar a su familia
Panama· 2026-02-03
Joanne Appelbee sent her oldest child for help because she could not leave the three children.
Australian boy saves his family with four-hour swim to shore – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-02-03Joanne Appelbee sent her oldest child for help because she could not leave the three children.
Australian teen swims for hours to save family swept out to sea
Canada· 2026-02-03Joanne Appelbee and her children were rescued off the coast after her eldest child swam four kilometres to get help.
Hero teenager swims 4km to rescue family stranded in ocean off DunsboroughAustralia· 2026-02-03