From Bondi to Byron & Beyond
Nell's first break came at 13 when she started surfing at Bondi Beach. Four years later, she starred in the cult classic Puberty Blues, an experience she shared in a book for the Australian Screen Classics series.
Now based in the Byron Shire, she surfs more laid back subtropical waves and produces podcasts, broadcasts, and regularly casts off into the unknown.
A Life in Arts and Activism
After graduating from NIDA, where she co-created Strictly Ballroom with Baz Lurhman and six fellow acting students, Nell shifted gears and moved into arts journalism.
She travelled Australia as a presenter with ABC TV and Radio National, and covered Oceania with CNN International.
On location in Bora Bora with the crew for The Art Club 2000
As a journalist for publications like Vogue Living, where she had a monthly column, Nell journeyed on assignment to destinations including the Arctic and Antarctic. She also worked as a film reviewer for Showtime with stints on Channel 9’s Sunday program.
In 2012 she ran on the ticket with the Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney, Clover Moore who still holds the top job today. Her running buddy was Alex Greenwich, now the Member for Sydney, who championed the Marriage Equality Bill.
Co-hostingTrailblazers lunch during Sydney World Pride 2023
A long time environmental activist, Nell segued into positions with organisations like Lock the Gate Alliance, The Sunrise Project, and The Greens.
She is a member of the Northern Rivers Community Foundation’s Women’s Giving Circle and has served on several boards including Australian Design Centre and Sydney Festival.
Nell is on the Management Committee of BayFM 99.9 and hosts the weekly radio show, Road Trip, along with the podcast This Week in Cyberspace.
NRC’s Women’s Giving Circle event '24