In 1997, after Debra Lawrance quit her role as Pippa Ross, producers decided to introduce a new family to run the caravan park, because the household was seen as the "centrepiece of the show".
[1] They created the Nash family consisting of parents Joel and Natalie, played by Woodley and Angelica la Bozzetta respectively, and children Gypsy (Kimberley Cooper) and Tom (Graeme Squires).
Before taking on the role of Joel, Woodley previously guested on the serial as Finlay Roberts' (Tina Thomsen) partner Barry, in 1996.
Joel takes a job working as a PE teacher at Summer Bay High and frequently clashes with Will Smith (Zac Drayson), who Gypsy begins dating.
Prior to acceptance, Joel helps Donald Fisher (Norman Coburn) uncover the identity of his wife Marilyn's blackmailers as her friend Chantel (Toni Moran) and her boyfriend Eddie (Tim McCunn).
Worse is to come when he is accused of breaking a thief's arm and consequently suspended, but the enquiry reveals the boy's injuries are inconsistent and Joel is cleared.
More family dramas ensue when Travis tracks down a woman named Claire Andrews (Kate Beaham), who is revealed to be their half-sister, a result of an affair Jack had.
Joel defends her vigorously until he learns the rumours were true: Natalie has indeed been having an affair with an old friend, Glen Tanner (Craig Elliot), on a trip to see her mother in Queensland.
Relations between Joel and Gypsy worsen due to his mistrust of her relationship with Harry Reynolds (Justin Melvey), which proves correct when the pair begin dating.
During a mudslide that destroys several homes, Joel is on hand to rescue Alf's wife Ailsa (Judy Nunn) and their son Duncan (Brendan McKensy), together with Shauna Bradley (Kylie Watson) and Jade Sutherland who are trapped inside.