Brooke Satchwell

Early life

She was the first of two children of Andrew Satchwell, a real estate agent and Jane Satchwell, a school teacher. Satchwell lived in Teesdale, Victoria for most of her life. She attended Toorak College, an independent girls' boarding school. Satchwell has stated that her friends and family in Melbourne are a big part of her life.

Career

Satchwell started acting in 1994 when a casting agent suggested she model in a few adverts. She also appeared in the ABC musical Harriet. After she had completed work on an advertisement for Just Jeans, a make-up artist advised Satchwell to get an agent. A year later she successfully auditioned for the role of Anne Wilkinson in Neighbours.

She modelled for Pantene and was signed to act as their 'brand ambassador' in 2004.

She has promoted charity work as a fundraiser for the Starlight Children's Foundation Gift of a Lifetime, and in joining the fight against sand mining of Sydney's historic Kurnell sand dunes.

Satchwell got her first big break on film in 2008 when she was cast as a lead role in Subdivision which was released in cinemas on 20 August 2009. In 2012, Satchwell joined the cast of drama series Packed to the Rafters as Frankie, an electrician and employee of Dave Rafter. In 2013, she became a regular panellist on celebrity gossip, comedy show Dirty Laundry Live. That same year, Satchwell joined the cast of Wonderland as lawyer Grace Barnes.

Personal life

Satchwell's five-year relationship with actor Matthew Newton ended in 2006. Newton was charged with four offences including common assault, intimidation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Satchwell. Three of the charges were withdrawn by prosecutors, Newton pleading guilty on the remaining charge of common assault.

On 26 November 2008, Satchwell was in a building which was attacked by terrorists in the Mumbai Terrorist Attacks. She hid in a cupboard until gunfire ceased. One gunman passed by the cupboard as she sat hidden from view. Upon leaving the hotel, she claims to have seen several dead bodies.

In 2016, Brooke and her boyfriend David Gross, who announced their engagement in 2012, separated and continued to concentrate on their careers.