Being brought up watching movies from the 40s and 50s. Vanessa has always felt she was born in the wrong era. Her late parents were and are her inspiration; they were responsible for educating her with film and music knowledge.

Vanessa knew from the age of 4 that she wanted to act. Her parents enrolled her in dance, drama, singing and acting classes at Johnny Young Talent School which she would attend up to three times a week for a decade.

Towards the end of year ten, Vanessa’s grades at school were plummeting and her focus was elsewhere. She decided to drop out and at sweet 16 auditioned for The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, lying about her age. She was unsuccessful and told to come back when she had a few more years of life experience.

She worked in childcare, promotions, retail and hospitality with stints of time on the dole. She managed to get a little work doing photographic modelling, visual/extra work in TV commercials and voice over work.

With the lack of acting jobs available in Perth she was unable to spend her time doing what she loved. She was told by her brothers and outsiders that it was too ‘hard’ to crack, and to ‘get real.’ Fortunately she always had the full support of her parents, Val & Des.

At 22, she jumped on a greyhound bus heading for Melbourne to pursue her acting and writing. With no savings to talk about and too proud to call her parents for help, she slept at Flinders Street Station and parks until landing a gig at La Mama and finding a housemate.

8 months after arriving in Melbourne, Vanessa’s youngest brother was found dead in his flat (due to his long battle with alcoholism) Two months later her mother was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Between 2000 and 2005 her life was torn between caring for her parents in Perth (her father had become ill, again) and coming back to Melbourne to work on projects in film, theatre, TV and radio.

By August 2005 Vanessa had lost both her parents and since then has returned to Melbourne, building up acting and writing credits. In the past two years, she has been the lead performer in several short films and one feature, and written several plays and one feature film.

In 2008, Vanessa accompanied the feature 'A Nocturne' on a world tour, attending festivals in Belgium, Greece, England, Ireland & Holland.  She has worked on numerous projects throughout 2008 & 2009.

Her goal is to continue her creative journey, finding meaningful work here and abroad.