Shauna Bradley

Shauna's "natural skill and ability" at lifesaving began when she was five.[3] She then entered various competitions during her teenage years and progressed to the professional lifesaving circuit.[3] Shauna was working as a professional lifesaver for three years before she arrived in Summer Bay and applied for the job at the surf club.[3] A writer for the official Home and Away website revealed that Shauna chose to leave her previous job because she was having trouble with her flatmate.[3] Vinnie Patterson (Ryan Kwanten) hires Shauna, much to Alf Stewart's (Ray Meagher) surprise.[4] An Inside Soap reporter commented that the last thing Alf expected was for Vinnie to employ a woman, least of all one "as feisty" as Shauna.[4] Shauna's new job saw her become the Bay's first resident lifesaver.[1] Watson described her character as extremely confident and not one to take any nonsense from guys.[4] The Daily Mirror's Nina Myskow commented "Strong and athletic, Shauna is not one to be pushed around."[1]

Shauna is surprised when her aunt, Kate O'Connor (Kris McQuade), comes to the Bay for a visit and she later starts to suspect that she is adopted.[5] Shauna's mother, Margaret (Sonja Tallis), also comes to the Bay and Shauna asks her why she does not have any baby photos of her.[6] Margaret tries to deflect the question by telling her that she did not have a camera then, but Shauna calls her a liar.[6] Margaret later reveals that she did indeed adopt her, but does not know who her real mother is.[6] Shortly after, Ailsa Stewart (Judy Nunn) reveals to Shauna that she is her biological mother. Ailsa tells Shauna that she was conceived while she was in prison.[7] She was raped by a warden and her cellmate, Kate, organised for her sister to adopt Shauna.[7] A reporter for Inside Soap quipped "Shauna is stunned, asking Ailsa why she hid the truth for long. Ailsa bluffs, saying she didn't think Shauna would want a murderer for a mum."[7]

When Ailsa suddenly dies of a heart attack, Shauna is glad that she got to spend a brief time with her.[8] Watson told Herbison "Shauna only discovered that Ailsa was her mum a few months ago, so in her case, she's terribly sad but at the same time grateful that they were able to spend some time together."[8] During the funeral, Shauna says a few words about the time she had with Ailsa and she is able to "feel satisfied" that they parted on good terms.[8] Shauna's older brother, Aidan Bradley (Ben Mortley), comes to the Bay. He ends up "copping a serve" from his sister because he has left behind a broken engagement and kissed Hayley Smith (Bec Hewitt).[9]

Ben Steel portrayed Shauna's love interest, Jude Lawson.

A physical attraction develops between Shauna and Harry Reynolds (Justin Melvey), which eventually turns into a "rocky romance".[10] Shauna realises that Harry is keeping a secret and her instincts tell her that she cannot trust him. Watson stated that the most important elements in a relationship are honesty and respect, so Shauna decides to back off from him for a while.[10] Watson told an All About Soap journalist "The relationship between Harry and Shauna is interesting because it hasn't been easy. There are lots of things they need to overcome and if they can do that, hopefully people will like to see them get together by the end of it all."[10] Harry's ex-fiancée, Alison (Jenny Apostolou), comes to the Bay and informs Shauna that she intends to fight her for Harry.[11] Shauna chooses to give Harry some space and he eventually chooses to stay with her.[11]

Shauna meets Gavin Campbell (Kim De Lury) when he stops a man from harassing her on the beach.[12] Gavin flirts with Shauna, but he is interrupted by the arrival of his wife and daughter.[12] Shauna is "unimpressed" with him, but Gavin later explains that he is staying in an unhappy marriage because he does not want to lose his daughter.[12] Shauna agrees to go to a concert with him as a friend and she manages to resist his advances. However, she later begins an affair with him.[12] When Shauna decides to end the affair with Gavin, she suffers "a humiliating public showdown" with his wife.[13]

Shauna begins dating Jude Lawson (Ben Steel).[14] When he asks her to move in with him, she refuses due to her fear of commitment.[14] Watson explained that because Shauna's relationship with Harry ended badly, there is a part of her that worries her relationship with Jude will go the same way. When he asks her to move in, she panics and states that she is not ready.[14] Shauna's reaction makes Jude question whether she is serious about them and their future, while she tells Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie) that she loves him but is afraid to next step in case it does not work out.[14] The next time Shauna sees Jude, she blurts out that she while she does not want to live him she would like to marry him. Despite the impulsive proposal, Jude does not need time to think and he accepts.[14]

Watson told Inside Soap's Jason Herbison, "Jude is over the moon about it, and the next morning, word gets out and everyone knows they are engaged. Meanwhile, there's a part of Shauna that thinks 'oh, no, what have I done?' However, Jude is convinced it will work out, which kinds of peps her up too."[14] When Shauna confesses that her major fear about married life is losing the spark in their relationship, Jude organises a romantic breakfast for them on a boat.[14] Shauna thinks the gesture is a great way to celebrate their engagement, however the date turns into a disaster. The sea becomes rough and when Jude goes to put the sail up, he is hit by the mast and falls overboard.[14] Shauna realises that Jude could drown, as he has fallen unconscious, but any strenuous activity could put pressure on her pacemaker.[14] Shauna decides to rescue Jude, but when she gets him back on deck, she starts having breathing difficulties. Jude wakes up and he has to hurry to get them back to dry land, so Shauna can see a doctor.[14]

When Shauna collapses after a run, hospital tests reveal that she has a serious heart defect.[15] Watson explained "Shauna's condition is called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It's generally found in athletes when there's too much pressure on the heart."[15] The actress revealed that Shauna is shocked because sport and her job as a lifeguard mean everything to her. She is prevented from assisting in rescues and has to undergo surgery to have a pacemaker fitted.[15] Shauna then learns that the condition is hereditary, meaning she could pass it on to her children. Her family also need to be tested and Watson described the situation as "a total nightmare for Shauna."[15]