A lifetime of achievements

When a star is born, it is called a nova, but Belinda Emmett was a supernova.

Belinda was born a mere 32 years ago, but in that time she realized a dream.

Her dream was to entertain others, by following in the footsteps of her parents and grandparents, who were veteran entertainers in their own right.

Despite the heartbreak of being diagnosed with breast cancer at the unlikely age of 24, she did not despair.

She was determined to defeat the monster that was threatening to cut short her life, but threw herself into the task of reaching the pinnacle that she had set herself.

Taking the bull by the horns, she also took the entertainment industry by storm, landing several plum roles.

The first was in popular sitcom Hey Dad.

She played the role of Tracy, the daughter of the Kelly family.

Her next role was as a regular cast member in the long-running soap Home and Away, where she made her very own statement as an actor.

Her next role in Home and Away as Rebecca, the daughter of the local headmaster Donald Fischer, and gained her valuable experience, and the respect of her fellow cast members.

This was followed by another in the hit series All Saints.

As flighty young ward clerk Jodi Horner, she was an immediate hit.

Many other triumphs ensued mainly in the music industry.

She met her Prince Charming in none other than the irrepressible funnyman Rove McManus.

Shortly after, they received the devastating news of her breast cancer, which was a cruel introduction to her new love affair with Rove.

Despite this setback in their lives, they went on the become soulmates, before taking the next step of becoming man and wife.

Rove was a real tower of strength throughout Belinda's battle against the disease that ultimately claimed her life.

She starred in a hit Aussie film The Nugget, before appearing in the ABC's Spicks and Specks special, A Very Specky Christmas, co-starring beside Rove.

Belinda had packed a lifetime of achievements into a mere 32 years, and her family will justifiably celebrate her life as their very own home-grown superstar.

Ray Bride Woy Woy