Faces of Environmental Justice Australia

Meet Elle

Elle brings a kaleidoscope of experiences to her work, shaped by years of listening to people’s stories and helping to share them in ways that inspire wonder and spark change.

She’s our committed and creative senior content and engagement coordinator, making complex ideas accessible and meaningful.

From journalism in Jordan and Japan, to rouseabouting in Western Vic, public relations at Patagonia, community advocacy in the NT and even stints working cabin crew and as a SCUBA instructor... Elle is never short of an interesting story to share at staff night drinks.

At EJA, she works across all our teams – creating content and designing ways to share ideas, information and case updates that cut through the never-ending thrum of today’s newsfeed.

If you’re a regular fan of the 'faces of EJA' feature, you’ve almost certainly been the beneficiary of some of Elle’s work, as she’s usually the author behind it (and so much more!).

But today, we get to flip the script and hear directly from the woman who’s usually busy helping others’ stories shine. Make sure to read through to the end for an inspiring list of recommends from the cinephile.

What is your role in the EJA ecosystem?

Elle sits at the heart of EJA’s engagement work. She’s a translator, connector and storyteller – the one who turns complex legal processes into information people can actually use, care about and act on.

Her work spans across all parts of the organisation. She tracks legal milestones, supports advocacy campaigns, shapes public messaging and helps supporters understand why cases, reforms and legal interventions matter. As she puts it:

“My little piece of the puzzle is communicating with and engaging our supporters, plus hopefully the wider public, on the really important work that EJA does.”

Having been based in Garramilla/Darwin before EJA, some of her favourite work has been conveying our clients’ Binybara/Lee Point matters – helping explain the complexity, why it is so important for several Larrakia Elders, and how it fits into the broader advocacy for that area.

Working with other organisations on promoting Victoria’s Treaty and covering the Walk for Truth (which began on Gunditjmara Country near where she grew up) have been other highlights over her 10-months with EJA. She's also been behind our webinars, including on EPBC reform and the UN application to join the North West Shelf expansion court challenges.

She loves creating the monthly faces of EJA feature, which she describes as a super energising part of her job: a chance to sit down with our colleagues, hear their unique inspirations, epic ideas, and spotlight the heart behind their crucial work.

“Everyone's got a really interesting story if you take the time to hear it. Getting that opportunity and being trusted to share it is always really motivating and heart-warming."

How did you come to work at EJA?

Elle’s journey to EJA crosses continents, industries, and communities. After studying journalism and languages, she began her career as a journalist based in Amman. She was drawn to working on stories about social and environmental justice – the introduction of parliamentary quotas for women and sex education in schools; traditional, organic farmers resisting big-ag and GMO pressure; the challenges of children born in refugee camps without citizenship... – work that sparked a lifelong commitment to amplifying lesser-heard voices and telling stories that matter.

Her path eventually led to writing and teaching roles in Kyoto, where she leaned into covering craftsmanship, philosophy, and political art, before returning home to take a gig as an editor in Melbourne.

After a few years, and becoming addicted to watching Patagonia Films (see more below), she took up a role in Public Relations for their Australia and Aotearoa team, relocating to the Surf Coast, Wadawurrung Country. She recalls working on campaigns to protect native forests with EJA’s "astoundingly intelligent lawyers", and also meeting our head of public engagement who presented “one of the most strategic and hope-inspiring climate comms workshops ever!”.

“Through some work on the Fight for the Bight, native-forest protection, and species preservation campaigns locally, as well as seeing what my colleagues were achieving on a global scale, I started taking a really keen interest in the power of the law to bring about positive change. Upon meeting Nat and Tessa, it really planted a seed that I would one day love to work with EJA and learn from them both.”

“After a few years of staying in touch and working part-time through a law degree, a perfect new role at EJA opened up – and everything just fell into place!"

How are you able to hold so much information/stories at once, especially when they are often heavy?

Elle is candid about the emotional labour of her work. Like many of us, she has that internal voice that whispers every so often: this is really hard, it’s time to sail off into the sunset and fend for myself (the difference is, unlike many of us, Elle can actually sail).

Early in her career, reporting on crises and conflict pushed her to the edge of burnout. She’s learned over time that holding people’s stories is both a privilege and a responsibility.

What helps her carry it is the meaning in the work, interweaving beauty and humor – and especially the courage of the people who trust her:

“When someone is so open in telling you all the things they end up telling you in an interview or personal statement … I just really feel a responsibility. And then a strong need to go the extra mile to do their vulnerability and bravery justice.”

That sense of purpose makes the weight feel worth it. It keeps her grounded, resilient and connected.

What do you do when you're not working?

Outside of work, Elle doesn’t slow down – she goes outside. She spends as much time as possible in or near the ocean. Surfing, sailing, diving, long swims, long runs, hiking... anything that gets her moving and off the screen.

Rest looks like rhythm: strokes in the water, kilometres underfoot, wind in the sails. Her rescue dog, Jed, is very much part of that life too, keeping her out on the trails. Jed is also an active member of the EJA team making cameos in the office and giving his two cents on case work.

Spending time out in nature enriches the way she approaches her work at EJA. It reminds her that the species, lands and waters she communicates about are all interconnected, living, and that they shape everyone's lives and identities.

What’s your hope for the future – personal, global or for EJA?

Elle is realistic about the scale of the climate and extinction crises, but she’s also deeply hopeful. She finds that hope in young people – their urgency, their clarity and their refusal to accept political stagnation.

She wants a future where their leadership shapes the world we build next, and where the old narratives of fear and short-termism lose their grip. As she says:

“I have a lot of hope for how strongly motivated, educated and assertive the next generation of climate and environmental activists are.”

She's hoping that we all stay on a path guided by their raw and real idea of justice, grounded in care and unafraid of change.

You’re always sharing stories or screenings that move people to action – what are some that you can recommend for the EJA community?

It’s hard to make a short list, but here are a few of her favorites:

Artifishal

I’d read about the blacksmith/climber-turned-reluctant-businessman Yvon Chouinard in undergrad, but after I saw the Patagonia film 'Artifishal' I became obsessed with the company’s environmental advocacy and the ways they were informing and mobilising more mainstream audiences. “The road to hell was paved with good intentions” – that quote, bam!

The Story of Plastic

I saw 'The Story of Plastic' at the brilliant Transitions Film Festival six years ago, but still think or talk about it on a weekly basis. It’s an illuminating, terrifying and ultimately empowering watch, linking plastic with big oil, the environment, systematic inequality and human health.

The Monster in Your Closet

Funnily enough, working on promotion for another Patagonia short – 'The Monster in your Closet' – actually inspired me to start studying law, and ultimately change career tack... again!

Where the Olive Trees Weep

Gabor Mate is an incredibly wise, earnest human and this film he supported (back in 2022!) is an important insight into the decades of occupation, humiliation and genocide to which the Palestinian people (and their environment) have been subjected.

The Giants

Aptly titled, 'The Giants' is creative, visually stunning, and super powerful. Of course it would be, it’s about the life's work of visionary Bob Brown!

Future Council

A great one to watch with kids/teens is Damon Gameau’s 'Future Council', which had me thinking about EJA's amazing Generation Justice clients a lot. It’s hard going at times (have tissues on hand), but also very inspiring. Plus, all the follow-up resources, ongoing events, and momentum they’ve created around it (and '2040') is astounding!

Looking Back to Move Forward

This is getting long, so as a work-around, here’s a list of 'First Nations Docos You Should Watch' by the legends at Common Ground – I've been (un)learning so much as I work my way through it.

Who's Gonna Save Us?

And If you’re reading this at your desk and can’t get away with a film right now: I also loved Jo Lauder’s ABC podcast series: Who’s Gonna Save Us?, plus this recent new deep-dive by Guardian Australia on the Southern Ocean which is really engaging and super important!

Oh, Just One More

Or three websites: Wait But Why, The Marginalian, and Highline all deserve bookmarking for their tangential brilliance!