You’ve been lucky enough to write and act on the show. What sort of acting working did you have before Neighbours?
I worked mainly in theatre both in Queensland and Victoria, I was a founding member of Tropic Line Theatre Company and worked for the company for six years. I also worked for two nationally touring outdoor Shakespeare companies. I created and produced my own shows, I think it's really important for actors to create their own work.
What other scriptwriting work have you done?
I have been writing with the very talented Lulu McClatchy, also past Neighbours cast, and we currently have our first feature in development, I have also been working a new adaptation of a classic horror story that we hope to be filming early 2015.
What inspired you to pursue acting?
I took ballet classes from the age of four and still love to dance. I always knew I wanted to be an actor, I remember when Stefan told the family he was going to Melbourne to be an actor, I thought he had stolen my idea!
What inspired you to pursue scriptwriting?
I wanted to create my own work and I love stories. I find story construction really fascinating.
I worked mainly in theatre both in Queensland and Victoria, I was a founding member of Tropic Line Theatre Company and worked for the company for six years. I also worked for two nationally touring outdoor Shakespeare companies. I created and produced my own shows, I think it's really important for actors to create their own work.
What other scriptwriting work have you done?
I have been writing with the very talented Lulu McClatchy, also past Neighbours cast, and we currently have our first feature in development, I have also been working a new adaptation of a classic horror story that we hope to be filming early 2015.
What inspired you to pursue acting?
I took ballet classes from the age of four and still love to dance. I always knew I wanted to be an actor, I remember when Stefan told the family he was going to Melbourne to be an actor, I thought he had stolen my idea!
What inspired you to pursue scriptwriting?
I wanted to create my own work and I love stories. I find story construction really fascinating.
Fans will recognise you as long-lost Ramsay/Robinson Jill, mother to Kate, Harry and Sophie. What was it like coming into the show as the illegitimate daughter of the iconic original cast member Max Ramsay?
It was such a joy to be on the show, especially as I got to work with my brother. Jill was a terrific character she was so feisty, but it was much too short! She had only just arrived on the street when Paul pushed her in front of a car!
Jill was the half-sister to Paul Robinson. Ironically, you are also Stefan Dennis’ half-sister! What was it like working alongside Stefan?
I loved working with my brother, we thought it might be a bit weird, but it was really easy and felt very natural. It was also good to just hang out together.
Are there any similarities between you and Jill?
Jill was a single mum trying to do the best for her kids and I can certainly relate to that, my two gorgeous daughters and definitely the best thing in my life. Although Jill is way more confrontational than I am!
There have been a lot of fans out there saying it was unbelievable that Max Ramsay and Anne Robinson would have an affair and produce a child. What did you think about this revelation?
People love the wrong people and affairs happen, I don't think it's impossible to think of a young Max and Anne could have had an affair.
It was such a joy to be on the show, especially as I got to work with my brother. Jill was a terrific character she was so feisty, but it was much too short! She had only just arrived on the street when Paul pushed her in front of a car!
Jill was the half-sister to Paul Robinson. Ironically, you are also Stefan Dennis’ half-sister! What was it like working alongside Stefan?
I loved working with my brother, we thought it might be a bit weird, but it was really easy and felt very natural. It was also good to just hang out together.
Are there any similarities between you and Jill?
Jill was a single mum trying to do the best for her kids and I can certainly relate to that, my two gorgeous daughters and definitely the best thing in my life. Although Jill is way more confrontational than I am!
There have been a lot of fans out there saying it was unbelievable that Max Ramsay and Anne Robinson would have an affair and produce a child. What did you think about this revelation?
People love the wrong people and affairs happen, I don't think it's impossible to think of a young Max and Anne could have had an affair.
For close watching fans, they may also recognise you as a nurse back in 1993. What was it like filming this role?
This was my first TV role and I was very nervous!
How did you get involved with writing for the show? Are you still writing for Neighbours these days?
I was studying screen writing at RMIT and decided to give the writing room a call. At the time Kim Wilson was running the story room and she let me write a sample script, they seemed to like what I did and I ended up writing several scripts as well as spending some time in the story room as a storyliner. I'm not currently writing for the show as I'm concentrating on my own work, but I loved the experience and would happily do another stint in the story room if asked.
What does an average day for a scriptwriter involve?
Writing! If you have a deadline it's lots of coffee and lots of writing and re-writing. I wrote scripts in my pyjamas but I had to get dressed to go into the story room.
Do you prefer writing comedy or more serious drama?
Both, I really enjoy whimsical comedy with a touch of magic realism but I also like English style social realist drama, the more dark and twisted the better.
This was my first TV role and I was very nervous!
How did you get involved with writing for the show? Are you still writing for Neighbours these days?
I was studying screen writing at RMIT and decided to give the writing room a call. At the time Kim Wilson was running the story room and she let me write a sample script, they seemed to like what I did and I ended up writing several scripts as well as spending some time in the story room as a storyliner. I'm not currently writing for the show as I'm concentrating on my own work, but I loved the experience and would happily do another stint in the story room if asked.
What does an average day for a scriptwriter involve?
Writing! If you have a deadline it's lots of coffee and lots of writing and re-writing. I wrote scripts in my pyjamas but I had to get dressed to go into the story room.
Do you prefer writing comedy or more serious drama?
Both, I really enjoy whimsical comedy with a touch of magic realism but I also like English style social realist drama, the more dark and twisted the better.
Unfortunately Jill died and her children no longer live on the street. Would you ever consider returning to the show in another role?
Absolutely!
You left Ramsay Street five years ago, what have you been up to since then?
My partner and I have started up a film company and we are just about to go into production with our first major project, I have also been doing a fair amount of theatre. I have performed in and directed several plays and I'm just about to direct my first Shakespeare play "As You LIke It" which will go on in September.
Were you a fan before joining the show and do you still watch these days?
I have watched Neighbours from the very first episode. I grew up with the show and I still watch it from time to time.
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?
The huge amount of talent there has been through the show both on and off the screen. And the relatable characters, everyone knows someone like the residents of Ramsay Street.
Absolutely!
You left Ramsay Street five years ago, what have you been up to since then?
My partner and I have started up a film company and we are just about to go into production with our first major project, I have also been doing a fair amount of theatre. I have performed in and directed several plays and I'm just about to direct my first Shakespeare play "As You LIke It" which will go on in September.
Were you a fan before joining the show and do you still watch these days?
I have watched Neighbours from the very first episode. I grew up with the show and I still watch it from time to time.
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?
The huge amount of talent there has been through the show both on and off the screen. And the relatable characters, everyone knows someone like the residents of Ramsay Street.
Interviewed July 2014