Fun times with Rebecca Gibney

She may be loving the laughs and all the fun, but don’t underestimate the strength and creativity that motivate one of our most-loved actors.

Our cover star loves a laugh but there’s a darker personal story behind her struggle for success

Rebecca Gibney loves to laugh. Right now her eyes are twinkling as she pushes away a plate of bite-sized biscuits. “No, no, they’re too tempting! I have a sugar addiction and I’m trying really hard to avoid them… Oh look, I’ll try one. Oooohhhh!” Her eyes roll with guilty pleasure.

It’s quickly apparent that Rebecca doesn’t take her fame too seriously. While she’s arguably had one of the most successful careers of any actor on Australian television, spanning an incredible 30 years thanks to The Flying Doctors, Halifax f.p., Packed to the Rafters and, most recently Wanted, mention of this causes her to shrug. “People have grown up with me… I’m like an ugg boot, I’ve been around for so long!”

Rebecca is on a flying visit to Sydney from the new home in Dunedin she shares with her husband Richard and their son, Zac, 14. (They relocated from Australia in January). Also relatively new is Rebecca’s midlife career metamorphosis from star to multi-pronged creative and entrepreneur, driving her own opportunities. Not only did

I’M LIKE AN UGG BOOT, I’VE BEEN AROUND FOR SO LONG!

YOU CAN’T JUST DREAM IT AND HOPE IT’S GOING TO HAPPEN, YOU HAVE TO WORK HARD – AND I DO.