Justine Clarke has been part of my life since I was 15 years old. For those of you keeping count at home, that’s a loooooong time.

Although she first appeared on Australian television screens at age seven, Justine came into my life in 1988, as Home and Away’s ‘Roo’ Stewart. Over the next few years, Clarke popped up in various television series, like Come In Spinner and Tracks of Glory, before re-emerging as a jazz vocalist and cabaret singer. She trod the boards of Sydney Theatre Company, earning gongs such as a Helpmann nomination for her performance in “Hedda Gabler” opposite Cate Blanchett.

In yet another transformation, she popped up on iconic children’s television program Play School (a role for which she says took her 10 years to get an audition), joining pianist Peter Dasent to create music for kids that was strikingly different from the ‘norm’. I Like to Sing became the soundtrack to my life, with two toddlers addicted to the melodies of the songs, not to mention the bright colours of the DVD.

Justine says this diversity of entertaining has always been her way. “It’s always been like that for me,” she says. “I’ve always had my toe dipped in performing. In my 20s, I worked out it’s a small industry and if you don’t diversify you lessen your opportunities and when you’ve got a family, you have to work as much as you can.”

“For a while, I wondered why I was doing it and if at some point I’d make a decision on what to focus on but it’s never happened. I’m always thinking ‘what can I do next?'”

The last time I saw Clarke performing, she was bouncing around the stage of Canberra Theatre Centre, her eight-month-pregnant belly not seeming to dampen her contagious energy. I commented to her at the time, ‘I don’t know how you do it’… ‘I just love it,’ she replied.

So what was her motivation for producing that initial album?

“I had my own toddlers at the time and there was nothing like that out there and I thought (these songs) needed to be burst into the world,” says Justine. “I thought they were terrific, really cheeky. We didn’t imagine it was to become a platinum selling album.”

But it’s a big step from producing an album for kids to carrying a live stage production in front of a young audience – an experience she describes as having the “wild energy of a rock ‘n’ roll show but without alcohol and violence.”

“It’s important with kids music to be as honest as possible. There can’t be anything cynical about it – they can smell it I think.”

“There’s a really particular energy in a show – it’s quite unhinged but it’s all joy. The reaction from children it just melts your heart. It’s either hilarious or brings a tear to your eye.”

Clarke is due to hit Canberra on Sunday 14 December with her latest show, I am a Band – a title that will be familiar to fans of her first album (I still have the lyrics swimming around my head, seven years on).

“This is probably our most traditional rock n roll show,” she says. “We’ve gone to town on the lighting design so it’s a bit more of a light show and it’s a little bit more sophisticated.”

“People can expect the songs that everybody knows and loves and more audience participation in this show. It’s different to an adult rock show where you might want to here the obscure songs, there’s no place for that in my show. I’m happiest when the kids are singing along for the 50^th time.”

And don’t we all like to sing (la la la la la)?!

the essentials

What: I am a Band
When: 11am Sunday 14 December
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre
How much: $33.90
Tickets: www.canberraticketing.com.au