Libby has always been popular with Australian audiences having a wealth of previous acting experience with an extensive list of television credits.
Born in Adelaide and raised in Melbourne, Libby attended various schools in and around Melbourne while her mum shifted around doing different jobs including the running of various boarding homes. Libby and her older brother Greg enjoyed following their mum around even living on a diary farm at one point.
As a child growing up Libby thought she would be a ballerina until she was handed the role of Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion. This was the first time she had set foot on a stage. It was at that point Libby decided she enjoyed acting, would pursue it and was encouraged to do it.
Libby then attended Preston College of Tafe and completed a ‘TOP’ drama course instead of the doing the HSC. She then attended Rusden in Melbourne and left after a year to start up Jack and Jill productions with friend Gina Kennedy — a drama workshop company.
Libby finally found Ballarat University, set in the bush, she enjoyed every minute and it was ‘right up her alley’, completing a BA in Performing Arts for 3 years.
From her time spent at Ballart University, Libby was then picked up by Barnstorm Theatre Company and toured with them for a year where she had lead roles in various theatre productions including Cuckoo and Rebellion.
It was also during this time that Libby auditioned for various roles and after three or four auditions and a fake tan, she says landed her first on going television role in Pacific Drive, playing the controversial role of Zoe.
This was the first time that Libby had met then co producer Jo Porter and Bevan Lee, now Channel 7 Network executive and headLand creator.
It was only 6 months after she left Pacific Drive when Libby joined the cast of All Saints as the role of Bronwyn Craig, the feisty headstrong and compassionate nurse who became a favourite with Australian audiences.
This was a role she had for 5 years, where love blossomed on set with fellow co-star Brian Vriends, now Libby’s partner and father to their daughter Edie, almost 4 years old.
It was also during this time that Libby received countless nominations and Logie wins, including 2002 Silver Logie winner for ‘Most Outstanding Actress’ and also a Gold Logie nomination the same year and a 2003 Silver Logie win for ‘Most Popular Actress’.
Audiences may also remember Libby in various television roles including Blue Heelers, Neighbours, Frontline, Stingers and US cable movie Man From Snowy River. Libby was also the lead in films Life and Scorcher.
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After All Saints, Libby and Brian moved to Geelong where they have been renovating their home. She moved back up to Sydney early last year (2004) to take up the role as Lill on Fireflies. When the program was not renewed the producer at the time, John Edwards then hooked Libby up with his pilot, Rapid Response, shot in Melbourne.
Libby was quite excited as it was a chance to work out of Melbourne, her new home. When the pilot didn’t go ahead, it was at this time headLand producer Jo Porter approached Libby to come on board for the new drama serial.
This was a big move for Libby and her family, but it is a show she has believed in from the start and wanted to be involved with.
“It’s nice to be at the beginning of a program — I have never been one to go into a show that has been running for a while, so I was excited to be at the start of what we hope to be a long running drama series. This show really has something about it, a real storyteller and I am blown away by every single cast member. We have a very strong cast and I am wrapt.” she says.
Libby plays Grace Palmer who at 24 lost both parents. She was studying her masters in psychology and her brother Craig was just ten. Grace immediately took over the job of raising him; she’s been his sister, mother-figure and best friend ever since. They now have an unbreakable, loving bond.
Grace poured all her heart into the two loves of her life — her little brother and her career. The next few years were a titanic struggle, but her determination carried her through.
For the past five years, Grace has run the counselling service at South Coast University. She has helped countless students and townsfolk, and has quietly carved out her own little empire. A strong woman who likes doing things her way, she has enjoyed relative freedom from the powers-that-be.
Grace has built her life around solving the problems of others. But now, with her boss on her back, her brother in a coma, and her lover dead — Grace Palmer may be the one who needs help.
“We meet Grace at a very tumultuous time in her life. She can tend to be bit of a loner she has lost both parents and is very protective of her brother. She is a strong woman as she has had to be provider and mother and look after him and out for him.”
“She has been drawn to do social work because her love of humanity, which I think is a good premise for a show to get to know the characters through counselling and therapy — it’s a brave journey for those young students to take. I can’t say I have seen that much of it in any other show.” she says.
In her spare time, Libby loves pottering in her veggie garden and getting stuck into ‘doing up’ furniture and renovating her house in Melbourne when she gets back there.
But most of all hanging out with Brian and her ‘little mate’, daughter Edie |
