We’re the real-life Kath and Kel!

Few people would turn to Kath and Kim for home-decorating advice but when Rhonda and Keith Clarke make changes at home, it’s got to have the ‘look at moi’ factor.
‘We just reupholstered the lounge suite as it was 20 years old and added a feature wall. I am sure Kath would approve,’ Rhonda chuckles.

The Melbourne couple are the real-life owners of Chateau Kath – the house where the hit series was filmed – and they love the fact their home has become a tourist attraction for die-hard fans from across the world.
‘Never in our wildest dreams did we think our home would become famous, with not a week going by that someone doesn’t come knocking on the door looking for Kath and Kim,’ Rhonda says.

‘We were in bed one night when the driveway warning lights came on at 1.30am and we went down thinking it may be burglars, only to discover it was just a couple with a camera lying on the grass taking photos!

‘Another couple asked to see Kath and Kel. I just turned to them sweetly and said they don’t actually live here! It has certainly changed our lives. It made us a decent sum of money that has helped us to be able to retire.’

Set in the fictitious Melbourne suburb of Fountain Lakes, the house made its way into the hearts of viewers across the country. Inside, what you see on screen is the Clarkes’ own furniture, including the beds, TVs, Pilates equipment and lounge in the ‘Good Room’. But the Clarkes’ home wasn’t the first choice.

‘Our daughter Karen was friendly with the show’s producer and originally they wanted to shoot at hers,’ Rhonda explains. ‘It was too small so Karen suggested our place.

‘The producer took one look at the house and told me it was perfect. Quite a compliment!

‘What a lot of viewers don’t realise is the Kath & Kim house in real life backs onto a lake in Patterson Lakes. They decided that it took too much away from the house so they built a demountable wall in our backyard.’

While the home was left largely intact, a production designer did add a few finishing touches to the Clarkes’ home decorating.
‘Photos need to be distributed, walls put up in the yard, crockery and utensils changed, and our antiques removed,’ Rhonda says.

‘We also got to star in some episodes – the high point being the wedding. We met virtually every star from Kylie Minogue down. But we are happy to stay out of their way.’

So what traits do Rhonda and Keith share with Kath and Kel?
‘None I hope!’ Rhonda says. ‘Mind you, Keith does chase me around the kitchen like Kel. But you tell me – clearly we look nothing like them… do we?’

By: Phil Somerset
Photos: Andrew Jacob