“There were only 10 houses; we were fifth generation Australians and our neighbours, the Bouris family, were among the first Greeks to the area,” Rhonda explained.
“Mark Bouris (of Wizard Home Loan fame) was three years older than me and when I caught up with him at my Dad’s funeral, we had a good old laugh about how I would dig my way under the fence, aged six or seven, to play doctors and nurses.
“That’s why Canterbury Bankstown is so special because I made lifelong friends there; I am still great friends with my primary school buddy Cheryl Adams.”
After attending Beverly Hills Girls High School and a myriad of dance, singing and piano lessons, Rhonda sought the bright lights of showbiz and says she feels lucky to still do what she loves.
“I won my first talent quest at Roselands Shopping Centre when I was seven and am now 59 so have had a long and wonderful career in film, TV and in the theatre; my proudest moment was being awarded an Order of Australia Medal for services to the entertainment industry,” she said.
“My latest show, ‘Partners in Crime’, which I co-wrote and produced and perform with Sara Mulcahy, is my best yet; we celebrate famous duos like Sonny and Cher, Patsy and Eddie (they’re in rehab), Shrek and Fiona, even the Blues Bros.
“The singing is the easy part, the challenge is all the different characterisations and 15 costume changes but it is such a hoot – hilarious – and well worth getting off the lounge to head down to Revesby Workers’ on August 17.”
Tickets: $45 from rwc.org.au, rhondaburchmore.com or call the club on 9772 2100.