Kate, I note with interest that you were born in England. How old were you when your parents made the move to Australia?
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I was six months old when we moved to Australia.
I was very fortunate because I had an excellent education. I loved school.
I’ve still got fond memories of my sporting achievements at Canterbury Girls Secondary College.
I held the school record for various events including the 100, 200 and 400 metres.
I also loved competing in the long and triple jumps, but my sporting life was turned around when I was 15-years-old as I fell in love with acting.
Have you any regrets that you never pursued a sporting career following your success in sport at school?
No. I’ve got no regrets. I’ve loved my time in acting.
I realised at a young age that I might have been good at sport but to get to the next step which is the elite level is massive.
There are thousands beyond thousands of stories about children who are tops in sport at school but they don’t go on to the next level.
The ones that achieve the elite level in any sport have had to work very, very hard to get there – on the way through they have had to show great commitment and dedication.
I learnt at a very early age nothing is given to you in this world – you’ve got to work hard to be successful in sport or your working career.
I also did a lot of western horse riding on palouse ponies when I was young.
I loved riding the ponies but that came to a halt when I focused on my acting career. I love watching all sports.
I must admit, I thought I was a handy backyard cricket.
We are like so many other Australians and just love going to watch Australia play in the Boxing Day test. It’s an unbelievable atmosphere that first morning and day of the test.
How did your love for the Carlton Football Club come about?
My dad David is a passionate Carlton supporter and sponsor.
From a young age, I was hooked on following the Blues.
I can vividly remember Dad getting me into the dressing rooms when I was six-years-old after Carlton had defeated Collingwood to win the 1979 premiership by five points.
There were incredible emotional scenes in the rooms after the game, especially for a little girl who was only six-years-old to witness.
It was an amazing sight to see grown men crying with joy as they had beat the fierce enemy in the Magpies.
Dad had my autograph book and went around and got all the autographs of the Carlton players.
From the captain-coach Alex Jesaulenko to Mark Maclure, Peter “Percy” Jones to Mike Fitzpatrick and a player called Wayne Johnston who was known as “The Dominator”.
I’ve still got the autograph book.
Kate, who would have known back then that you would go on and marry Wayne Johnston?
I don’t think anyone back then would have seen that coming, including me.
We got married in November 2004, so it’s coming up 14 years that we’ve been married and to say it’s gone quick is an understatement.
It’s just flown with work and family commitments it’s been a very hectic lifestyle.
Do you get much of a chance to go to Carlton games?
We go to the occasional Blues games but we still take a keen interest in how the Blues are performing.
Our Saturdays have been kept really busy going to see Marc, Tomi and Clay play footy all over the years.
The boys had played with Port Melbourne for a few seasons and now they’re with Old Xaverians in the amateurs.
Kate, let’s talk about your acting career. You’ve appeared in numerous television programs including top-rating, popular shows like Home And Away, Neighbours, Blue Heelers, Rush and Stingers during your career. What’s it been like acting in shows like that?
They have all been wonderful. Stingers was fabulous.
I played the role as an under-cover policewoman Angie Piper in Stingers along Peter Phelps and Anita Hegh.
The show was really popular not only in Australia from 1998 to 2004, but also overseas.
The show was shown in 65 countries. It had a great story line and was written by top writers.
I’ve been very fortunate during my career that I’ve been able to work with great people at all levels.
I’m still working as a director on Neighbours, which is produced by Fremantle Media.
I’m one of six people in that role.
Neighbours is still shown on the Network Ten.
It’s not all glamour being an actor or actress – you’ve got to be in the make-up room at 6.15am and on the set by 7.30am.
They’re long days and can be quiet tiring for everyone.
Kate, what brings you and your family to Port Fairy for a holiday?
I just love Port Fairy. I’ve been coming down here for more than 30 years on-and-off. I find it a great place to relax and get away from everything in Melbourne.
I think it’s great that Port Fairy is three hours away from Melbourne.
It’s just the right distance – any closer and there would be too many people down here.
The summer time is a wonderful time to be in Port Fairy, but we’ve been here in the depth of winter and it’s still a great spot to chill out.
Wayne used to love Sorrento but he’s fallen in love with Port Fairy.
It’s just got the best lifestyle, atmosphere and friendly people.
It’s our dream to buy a property in the town.
