Kate Manfredi

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Kate Maria Manfredi (simply called Kate) is a character in the television series McLeod's Daughters, portrayed by Michala Banas. She is an old friend of Jodi Fountain McLeod. They have known each other since they went to boarding school together.

Contents 1 Family Life 2 Life on Drover's Run 3 Best Mates 4 Love Interests 4.1 Dave Brewer 4.2 Daniel Ponter 4.3 Patrick Brewer

[edit] Family Life

Born into a very staunch Italian family, the eldest of three daughters, Kate has always sought the attention of her family through personal achievements. Her Nonna (grandmother), Alessa Manfredi, has always been the person for whom Kate has pushed herself the hardest toward success. It is a confusing relief when Kate realizes her Nonna is unhappy in her own life and both women help each other come to the realization that a life lived for other people is not a fulfilling or healthy one.

[edit] Life on Drover's Run

Kate arrives on Drover's Run just as Jodi is thinking of leaving with her mother to start a life in the city. Having completed a degree at Roseworthy Agricultural College on scholarship (the first Manfredi to go to university) and received her Wool Classing Certificate, she is ready to jump into farm life and pursue her 5-year-plan (a list of short and long term goals she has written on a large posterboard to be tacked to the wall of her room as a reminder). She plans to be a cattle station manager by her 25th birthday, but she soon learns that nothing on a farm goes according to a set plan and must come to terms with the spontaneity of Drover's Run.

Her first weeks on the job are very rocky. Called on to class wool in a combination sheep-shearing effort between Drover's Run and Kilarney, Kate finds the wool to be contaminated but is quickly intimidated into silence by Harry Ryan's ruthless wife, Sandra, who threatens to ruin her reputation as a Wool Classer even before her career begins. Kate stays quiet and takes full responsibility for the mistake when confrontated by an angry Harry, who tells her to leave. The matter is cleared up with help from Jodi and support from Tess and Stevie.

Not too long after, during the first run of Alex and Stevie's rodeo camp, Kate is stalked by Paul, one of the students. After humiliating her in front of the class, he attacks her and nearly rapes her before he is stopped and taken away by the authorities. Kate suffers through some lasting effects of Paul's harassment, becoming paranoid for a time until Dave Brewer shares his experience with coming to terms with how his wife's death affected him by seeking counseling.

However rough her start, Kate found support from the girls at Drover's and became an integral part of the team. Through the course of the seasons, Kate relaxes into her life at Drover's Run. She does, however, have a tendency to spill the beans when under pressure and causes several bouts of drama, with her slips of the tongue, including the long postponed revelation to Rose that Stevie is her mother. She also experiences a test of mortality when she discovers she has melanoma on her back and travels to the city to have it successfully removed.

[edit] Best Mates

Kate and Jodi pick up their friendship as though they had never been parted after boarding school. They become very close, calling each other "Squirt" (Kate) and "Stretch" (Jodi). Kate shares in Jodi's enthusiasms and attempts to keep her friend grounded. Jodi learns from Kate's organization and responsibility but never stops trying to pull Kate out of herself into a more relaxed way of looking at life.

[edit] Love Interests

[edit] Dave Brewer

Kate suffered unrequited love when she fell in love with Dave Brewer, the local vet and Tess McLeod's former fiancé. Kate becomes jealous when Dave starts a relationship with Regan McLeod, Tess' long lost cousin who appears to have a few skeletons then tries to mine Drover's for gold. Kate makes this discovery and together with Tess and the gang, they manage to stop Regan. But when Regan returns to make amends, Kate still doesn't trust her. In time however, the two eventually reach an understanding and become friends.

Dave has always been there for Kate and she often assists him in his veterinary work. He even pretends to be Kate's fiancé when her grandmother comes to visit after Kate has lied, saying that she is engaged and is the manager of Drover's Run.

The of end of Season Six brought a happy ending for Kate as she wins the Young Farmer's Award and finally gets together with Dave. They leave for a new life in Africa where Dave has accepted a new job.

[edit] Daniel Ponter

Kate is unlucky when it comes to love. Apart from being in love with Dave (who has no idea), she had a relationship with a student teacher from her school, Daniel Ponter. He was Kate's first love. He arrives at Drover's, during a hiking trip insisting he has something he needs to talk to her about. Kate initially avoids engaging with him, fearful she will fall for him again. But when she reveals that he broke her heart, Daniel, shocked to hear it, tries to make amends. Kate forgives him for the past and resolves that it's over between them. Then Daniel saves her from a snake on the hiking trail, and Kate can't help but fall for him again. A fireside kiss confirms Kate's feelings but it's only when they're back from the hike that Daniel reveals his true agenda. He has been offered a position at the boarding school as head of science. However, after hearing rumours of his 'relationship' with Kate, the principal will not employ him in the role unless Kate signs a statement that she was never in a relationship with Daniel.

Kate is hurt, realising that Daniel only cares about getting his job, not her. Feeling hurt and used, she refuses to sign the statement, believing that he used her and deliberately took advantage of her. Kate even said that the principal had every right to question his appointment and position of power.

[edit] Patrick Brewer

Patrick Brewer, Dave's younger brother, literally falls into Kate's life during Season 5. He parachutes onto Drover's Run, having meant to be dropped near Dave's cottage. His carefree personality and stories of his experiences with extreme sports immediately attract practical Kate. After a rough start and discovering that Patrick suffers from bipolar disorder, Kate helps Patrick get on his feet. Their relationship ends when Patrick discovers that she is in love with Dave.