Personal profile: Chel Bardell
Chel Bardell is a keen, life-long supporter of scientific research, particularly in those areas delving into the mysteries of the natural world. Joining the Royal Society had been on her list of retirement goals for many years, realised in 2012 after an early retirement move to Tasmania in 2003. She served as the Honorary Secretary of the Northern Branch between 2013 – 2017. She also served on Council as a Northern Representative up until 2019. During this time, she took on roles with the 175th Anniversary Committee, the Publications Committee, as Manager of the Royal Society’s Facebook page, and as Merchandise, Sales and Publications Representative for the North, the latter three positions still keenly held today, along with a 2019 – 2021 role as a Co-ordinator of the Northern Branch’s Centenary Celebrations committee.
In her mainland life, Chel graduated from Charles Sturt University with degrees in complementary medicine and psychology, running a clinical practice up until her move to Tasmania, and then retiring to what she terms a ‘micro-farm’ with her husband, Jon in the rural north of the State. Both enthusiastic organic growers, they are now working towards building a sustainable, permaculture-based lifestyle. Additionally, Chel aspires to writing non-fiction works on both the philosophy and practicalities of this very lifestyle.
