Before appearing on Neighbours, what sort of acting work did you have?
I started acting when I was 12 my first job was playing a runaway on Carson's Law. I did a lot of theatre too as I was part of a children's theatre group.
What inspired you to pursue acting?
I never wanted to do anything else, I always have sung and acted since I can remember.
You first appeared on Neighbours in 1995 in a small guest role, what was it like to be on the show at that time?
That was great fun. Neighbours was very popular. I had my 21st at the waterhole. I actually had just missed out on the role of Cody when she returned as someone else, so this was like my consolation prize. :)
You then returned in 2005 for the guest role of Eva Doyle, what was it like returning and being the love interest of regular character Toadie Rebecchi?
This was great I had a fair bit of freedom with this role, I had been working as a stand up in the UK so the producers let me add some comedy to the role. And my character had a few fun elements including wrestling and singing at the waterhole. As well as Dating Toadie which was a laugh.
I started acting when I was 12 my first job was playing a runaway on Carson's Law. I did a lot of theatre too as I was part of a children's theatre group.
What inspired you to pursue acting?
I never wanted to do anything else, I always have sung and acted since I can remember.
You first appeared on Neighbours in 1995 in a small guest role, what was it like to be on the show at that time?
That was great fun. Neighbours was very popular. I had my 21st at the waterhole. I actually had just missed out on the role of Cody when she returned as someone else, so this was like my consolation prize. :)
You then returned in 2005 for the guest role of Eva Doyle, what was it like returning and being the love interest of regular character Toadie Rebecchi?
This was great I had a fair bit of freedom with this role, I had been working as a stand up in the UK so the producers let me add some comedy to the role. And my character had a few fun elements including wrestling and singing at the waterhole. As well as Dating Toadie which was a laugh.
Are there any similarities between you and Eva?
We look the same!
What was it like being a guest character in series?
Being a guest can be hard cause everyone knows each other so well, it's like arriving at someone's family picnic, but these guys were great and made me welcome straight away. We laughed daily.
Your character, better known as Eva Destruction, was a wrestler. What was this like?
This was a challenge. I has actually just had my daughter, she was 5 months old and I had had a Caesarean so I couldn't do all of the lifts but it worked out okay in the end! Definitely not something I thought I would ever be doing!
Eva and Toadie both wrestled together and dated, what was it like working with Ryan Moloney?
Ryan is great fun and we have a similar sense of humour so we had a good time laughing between scenes, he certainly knows the ropes at Neighbours too so it's great having a seasoned pro to work with.
Were there any story lines or scenes that you particularly enjoyed, or disliked, filming?
The whole thing was fun, I loved working with Patrick Harvey too he is hilarious.
Eva left to tour Australia as a wrestler. Unfortunately, due to his job, Toadie could not join her. What did you think of Eva’s exit?
It was good at the time because they did it so I could possibly come back, unfortunately when they asked me back I was working on a film and they moved on in the storyline so it never happened later.
We look the same!
What was it like being a guest character in series?
Being a guest can be hard cause everyone knows each other so well, it's like arriving at someone's family picnic, but these guys were great and made me welcome straight away. We laughed daily.
Your character, better known as Eva Destruction, was a wrestler. What was this like?
This was a challenge. I has actually just had my daughter, she was 5 months old and I had had a Caesarean so I couldn't do all of the lifts but it worked out okay in the end! Definitely not something I thought I would ever be doing!
Eva and Toadie both wrestled together and dated, what was it like working with Ryan Moloney?
Ryan is great fun and we have a similar sense of humour so we had a good time laughing between scenes, he certainly knows the ropes at Neighbours too so it's great having a seasoned pro to work with.
Were there any story lines or scenes that you particularly enjoyed, or disliked, filming?
The whole thing was fun, I loved working with Patrick Harvey too he is hilarious.
Eva left to tour Australia as a wrestler. Unfortunately, due to his job, Toadie could not join her. What did you think of Eva’s exit?
It was good at the time because they did it so I could possibly come back, unfortunately when they asked me back I was working on a film and they moved on in the storyline so it never happened later.
Are there any cast members you wished to of worked with more?
I love Stefan Dennis but didn't get any scenes with him unfortunately.
Are you still in touch with any of your former co-stars?
I actually did a film a few years later with Patrick Harvey, and then last year we did a play together. He's a great guy. If I ever run into Damien Brodie or Ben Nicolas we have a good catch up too.
A major part of your storyline was about body image. Eva was judged by Toadie (in the beginning) and by the public because she wasn’t the preferred weight, she was even referred to as a ‘beached whale’. What was it like playing a character that faced these prejudices?
It's like life. It happens and unfortunately people feel they have the right to say things that can make you feel bad about yourself. I think it was great because Eva was a strong, confident character and stood up for herself. It showed young girls not to let other people make you feel less than you're worth.
You left nine years ago, what have you done since moving away from Ramsay Street?
I did a series with Rebel Wilson called Bogan pride. Feature films Aquamarine, sunset six, six plots and not suitable for children and theatre performance of Neil Lebute's Fat pig. I'm also about to perform my own show SuperGirly at chapel off chapel in May and have written a couple of feature films which I plan to try and get made this year. That's the abbreviated version!
I love Stefan Dennis but didn't get any scenes with him unfortunately.
Are you still in touch with any of your former co-stars?
I actually did a film a few years later with Patrick Harvey, and then last year we did a play together. He's a great guy. If I ever run into Damien Brodie or Ben Nicolas we have a good catch up too.
A major part of your storyline was about body image. Eva was judged by Toadie (in the beginning) and by the public because she wasn’t the preferred weight, she was even referred to as a ‘beached whale’. What was it like playing a character that faced these prejudices?
It's like life. It happens and unfortunately people feel they have the right to say things that can make you feel bad about yourself. I think it was great because Eva was a strong, confident character and stood up for herself. It showed young girls not to let other people make you feel less than you're worth.
You left nine years ago, what have you done since moving away from Ramsay Street?
I did a series with Rebel Wilson called Bogan pride. Feature films Aquamarine, sunset six, six plots and not suitable for children and theatre performance of Neil Lebute's Fat pig. I'm also about to perform my own show SuperGirly at chapel off chapel in May and have written a couple of feature films which I plan to try and get made this year. That's the abbreviated version!
Is there anything you would have changed about the character or her story?
I think the Neighbours writers handle the storyline really well, it would have been nice to stay a bit longer! ;)
Would you ever consider returning to the show? If so, how would you like your character to return?
Of course anytime! I think she should come back as Toadies stalker! Hahaha
Were you a fan of Neighbours before you joined the cast? Do you watch the show these days?
I was a fan of the institution of the show and what it's done for Australian TV for sure, I've watched it on an off over the years. I haven't seen it lately it's always on when my daughter is watching her kids shows.
Finally, for a show that nearly didn’t make its first anniversary, it’s amazing to see it approach 7000 episodes and a 30th anniversary. What do you think is the secret of the ongoing success of Neighbours?
I think it has moved with the times, it has a great sense of humour, but it's not afraid to address important issues in a way that families can watch it together.
Interviewed February 2014