Sally Jeffries

''Neighbours'' is an Australian television soap opera. It was first broadcast on 18 March 1985. The following is a list of characters that appeared in the show in 2004, by order of first appearance. All characters were introduced by the shows executive producer Ric Pellizzeri. The 20th season of ''Neighbours'' began airing from 19 January 2004. Svetlanka Ristic the mother of Liljana Bishop made her debut in February, and her grandson, Luka Dokich arrived later on in September. Ben Barrack also joined the cast as Gus Cleary in February and the following month saw a new police officer arrive in the form of Allan Steiger. The first two members of the Timmins family, Stingray and Janelle, arrived in March and November respectively. Joe Scully's brother Tom made his first appearance in May. Corrupt cop, Olivia McPherson made her debut in June. ''Neighbours first on-going lesbian character, Lana Crawford joined in August and the following month saw Roger Neave join the cast as psychiatrist Jeremy Levi. Carmella Cammeniti's mother, Lucia, made her debut in November.

Svetlanka Ristic

Svetlanka Ristic, played by Deidre Rubenstein, is Liljana Bishop's mother. She made her first on-screen appearance on 13 February 2004. The '' Sunday Mail'' described Svetlanka as "conniving".

Svetlanka is the strict mother of Zoran and Liljana (Marcella Russo). She and her husband ran a vineyard in Perth. Svetlanka finds it difficult when Liljana and her family move across the country to Melbourne. She comes to Erinsborough to visit Liljana and believes that the family are doing well, but she soon discovers that David ( Kevin Harrington) is having financial problems. Svetlanka also discovers that Serena (Lara Sacher) was modelling for dodgy photographer Chris Cousens (Simon Mallory) to help raise money. Svetlanka tries to emotionally blackmail Liljana into returning to Perth, but Liljana tells her that she and her family are settled. Svetlanka tries to buy Serena's favour with money and she later fakes heart problems. Liljana is not fooled and asks her mother to leave. Svetlanka threatens to reveal a secret of Liljana's and she later announces that Liljana had been pregnant when she met David. David stands by his wife and Svetlanka leaves. Liljana reveals to David and Serena that shortly after meeting him, she gave birth to still born baby, that Svetlanks took away before she got to see it. Serena stays in contact with her grandmother and Svetlanka returns a few months later.

Svetlanka stays at Lassiter's Hotel and she is eventually spotted by Harold Bishop (Ian Smith). She announces that she wants to give the family $100,000 and she is pleased when it divides Liljana and David, as David wants to take it. Svetlanka grows close to Harold and they share a kiss one night after dinner. David tells Svetlanka that they will accept the money only if she leaves straight away. She decides to give them the money, but Liljana tells her that they will be returning it. Liljana invites Svetlanka to a goodbye dinner, but she Liljana starts telling everyone how she disgraced her family by becoming pregnant as a teenager. Svetlanka and Liljana make up, but Svetlanka is horrified when she sees Luka Dokich (Keelan O'Hehir) talking to Serena in the Coffee Shop. Svetlanka tries to prevent the growing relationship between Serena and Luka. Luka tells her that he has arrived to search for his biological parents and is hoping that Svetlanka can help.

Svetlanka tries to convince Luka that he is not adopted, but he does not listen to her. Luka tells her that he will leave, but he hides in a shed with only Serena knowing he is there. Svetlanka follows Serena and ends up slapping her when she sees Luka is still around. Liljana is taken to hospital with liver failure and Svetlanka confesses to Karl Kennedy ( Alan Fletcher) that Luka is Liljana's son and he is a match. Svetlanka warns Serena to stay away from Luka and tells her that they are related. Serena reveals the truth to everyone and Harold tells Svetlanka that her family would not abandon her. However, Liljana tells her mother that she does not want to see her again and Svetlanka makes plans to return to Perth. Harold and Svetlanka find a little boy who has run away from home and Svetlanka helps him reunite with his mother. Svetlanka asks Harold to join her, but she later decides to leave alone. When news of the deaths of David, Liljana and Serena during a plane crash reaches Svetlanka, she is unable to attend the funeral as she is heavily sedated due to her grief.

Gus Cleary

Gus Cleary, played by Ben Barrack, made his first on-screen appearance on 17 February 2004. Gus was a friend of Max Hoyland and came to stay with him. He was later murdered by Paul Robinson during the Lassiter's fire.

Barrack went to two auditions for Gus and four days after the second one, he was given the role. Barrack said that his character is "clearly a pretty mixed up fella", but believes that people felt some empathy for him. He said that he researched schizophrenia and thought about things that happened in Gus' life which may have led to him acting the way he did. He believed that Gus was "almost childlike in his need to be liked and accepted."

Gus comes from a privileged background and is forced to accept a job on one of his father's oil rigs when he uses up all of his chances. Gus' inability to do his job almost causes a major oil spill and Max Hoyland ( Stephen Lovatt), his supervisor, fires him. Years later, Gus arrives in Erinsborough, where Max and his family had settled down. Gus takes a look around Max's house when it is put up for auction by its owner and steals a photo. He then meets up with Max and tells him that there are no hard feelings between them. However, on the day of the auction Gus hides in the house and places his own bids by phone, which forces Max to bid over his limit. Max helps Gus find some work at Lou's Place and Gus also starts dating Izzy Hoyland (Natalie Bassingthwaighte), despite the fact that she feels unsettled by Gus' possessiveness. Gus continues with his manipulation of the Hoyland family, by talking to Boyd (Kyal Marsh) about his girlfriend and buying Steph (Carla Bonner) a model motorbike. Gus also rescues Summer (Marisa Siketa) after she gets stuck in a bad part of town. Gus slips sedative into Max's drink just before he drives Steph to the hospital. Max just manages to avoid an accident and puts it down to too many beers at lunch. Max injures his back and Gus spends his time at the Hoyland's looking after him.

Gus continues to give Max sedatives, but he tries to cover his tracks when Max goes to the hospital for tests, and the sedatives are found in his blood. Karl Kennedy ( Alan Fletcher) looks into Gus' past and finds that he was sent to a mental hospital. Max asks Gus to leave, but he returns to say goodbye to Summer and Boyd fights with him. Gus breaks in and hides in the roof, only coming out to do the housework. He is discovered and Max chases him to a building site, they both fight in the rafters of a house and they fall. Gus then disappears. Gus discovers that Izzy is pregnant and he tries to speak to her, but Karl sees them and calls the police. Gus is taken away to a mental hospital and Izzy tells him that the baby is not his. Gus is then transferred to a Perth hospital. He appears months later at Izzy's wedding to Karl. He tells Izzy that she should be with him and she tells him that she lost the baby. Gus kisses her and leaves, he goes to Ramsay Street and Max tries to win his trust. Stuart Parker (Blair McDonough) appears and Gus runs off. That evening, a fire destroys the Lassiter's complex and a burnt body is discovered. It is identified as Gus and tests reveal that he did not die in the fire, he received a blow to the head. In 2007 and 2014, Gus is seen in flashbacks after Paul Robinson confesses to killing Gus.

Allan Steiger

Senior Sergeant Allan Steiger, played by Joe Clements, made his first appearance on 4 March 2004. The character's role in the show increased when producers introduced his daughter Pepper Steiger (Nicky Whelan) to the main cast, and he became a love interest for Janelle Timmins (Nell Feeney). Janelle was known for being unlucky in love, and Feeney commented that Steiger would come in and woo her character. She thought it was about time Janelle had a good romance, but she was unsure at the time if it would be ongoing. Of the couple, she stated "I don't like to say too much. But it seems to work well. He comes in and puts a controlling hand on Janelle, but it doesn't pull her down too much." A ''TV Week'' columnist thought Steiger "may get more than he bargained for" with his new romance.

Stuart Parker (Blair McDonough) clashes with Allan, shortly after he joins the police force training team. Allan feels that Stuart is not taking the job seriously and he looks in his file and sees that Stuart has trouble sticking with a job. When Stuart fails an exercise, Allan tells him to buck up his ideas if he wants to join the force. Stuart snaps and knocks Allan to the ground. Allan later tells him that if he returns the next day, then they can forget that ever happened. Allan begins self-defence classes for the Erinsborough women and Lyn Scully (Janet Andrewartha), Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne) and Liljana Bishop (Marcella Russo) sign up. Liljana enjoys Allan's attention and she wears a skimpy outfit to the classes. Allan likes Liljana and believes she is interested in him, but she turns down his offer to go to the coast. Allan is promoted to Senior Sergeant and his first investigation is the Lassiter's complex fire and the murder of Gus Cleary (Ben Barrack). Allan offers Stuart a desk job when his sight is damaged in the fire. Allan investigates numerous crimes in the area, including David Bishop's ( Kevin Harrington) being framed for fraud. He helps Stuart and allows him to take some time off when his wife is taken to a mental hospital.

Allan sends Stuart undercover at a prison to help out Dylan (Damien Bodie) and Stingray Timmins ( Ben Nicholas) and later tries to arrest their father at his wedding to Janelle Timmins. When Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) is targeted by a stalker, Allan leads the investigation. Robert Robinson ( Adam Hunter) is discovered to be the stalker and Paul arranges a fake wedding with Gail Robinson (Fiona Corke), with Allan waiting in the crowd. Robert shoots Paul and is arrested. Allan's daughter, Pepper Steiger moves into Ramsay Street and Allan is surprised when she tells him that she is engaged to Frazer Yeats ( Ben Lawson). Allan and Pepper rescue Janae Timmins (Eliza Taylor-Cotter) from Rex Colt (David Serafin), who had locked her in his office. Pepper decides to reunite her parents and Allan is also keen to get back with his ex-wife, Christine Rodd (Trudy Hellier). Christine tells Allan and Pepper that she is a lesbian and while Pepper takes the news badly, Allan goes to the Scarlet Bar to play darts. He meets Janelle and she later asks him on a date.

Janelle and Allan decide to go shoot pigs and go camping. During the trip Allan arrests Katya Kinski (Dichen Lachman), which disgusts Janelle. She tries to leave, but changes her mind and she and Allan begin a relationship. Stingray dies and Dylan leaves town, which devastates Janelle. Allan helps her through her grief and she later asks him to move in with her. Pepper tells her father that she is being stalked and she reveals to him that she fell pregnant to her high school boyfriend and later suffered a miscarriage. Allan arrests Kevin Casey (Zen Ledden), but later discovers that his mother is stalking Pepper. Allan accepts a job in the Solomon Islands and tells Janelle that when he returns he will propose. Allan contracts malaria and he returns home. Allan suggests that the Timmins family move up north to allow Janelle to be closer to Dylan and Anne Baxter (Tessa James). Allan proposes to Janelle and they get married at their farewell party. The family then leave in a helicopter.

Stingray Timmins

Stingray Timmins, played by Ben Nicholas, made his first on-screen appearance on 11 March 2004. Stingray is the youngest son of Janelle (Nell Feeney) and Kim Timmins ( Brett Swain).
Nicholas successfully auditioned for the role of Stingray and began filming his scenes three days after getting the call to say he had won the part. Of joining the soap, Nicholas said "It's a dream come true".

Tom Scully

Tom Scully, played by Andrew Larkins, made his first appearance on 5 May 2004. Tom was introduced as Joe Scully's (Shane Connor) younger brother and a potential love interest for Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne). He was also a Catholic priest. Tom and Susan are involved in a scandal when they begin a relationship. Television critic Andrew Mercado said that 2004 went down as "a watershed year for controversy" after Susan had sex with Tom. Of her character's relationship with Tom, Woodburne said "They once had a very hot affair – he even left the priesthood for her – but they both felt it wasn't meant to be." Larkins reprised the role in 2007, as Tom becomes the Principal of Erinsborough High. He also tells Susan that he never stopped loving her and wants her back.

When Tom is transferred to St Joseph's church in Erinsborough, he finds himself living a few streets away from his brother Joe Scully and his wife Lyn Scully (Janet Andrewartha), who he once had feelings for. Tom makes friends with the neighbours and Susan Kennedy asks him out. However, he has to turn her down and she later finds out that he is a priest. Tom and Susan begin to spend a lot of time together, which leaves Lyn jealous and concerned that Tom was going break his vow of celibacy. Tom and Susan find that they have many things in common and they confide in each other. When Susan makes a joke that she could not be celibate herself, Tom walks out on her. Lyn tries to prevent Susan and Tom from spending time together and Tom notices. He confronts her and she tells him that her feelings for him are making her uncomfortable. Susan and Tom share a kiss and his feelings for her cause him to tell her that he needs to spend some time alone.

Tom is visited by a young woman who tells him that she is pregnant and that she told her partner that he is the father, when he is not. Tom encourages her to own up. Tom decides to leave the church for Susan, leaving Lyn appalled. Tom and Susan bump into Susan's ex-husband, Karl Kennedy ( Alan Fletcher) and his girlfriend, Izzy Hoyland (Natalie Bassingthwaighte). Tom recognises Izzy as she is the woman who had confessed to him. Izzy later begs Tom not to tell Karl or Susan about her baby. Tom agrees and tells her to tell Karl herself, which Izzy agrees to. Tom struggles to find work outside of the church, but he eventually becomes a courier. Susan and Tom are happy until Susan realises that Tom's views are causing problems within her household. Tom realises that Karl has no idea that he is not the father of Izzy's baby and he tells Izzy to tell him or he will. Susan finds Tom at the church asking God for answers and she tells him that they cannot relate to each other. Tom decides to leave town and heads to Bendigo.

Tom decides to use his teaching qualifications that he earned and begins teaching at a small school. Tom applies for the position of Principal at Erinsborough High and he returns to Erinsborough as Susan's boss. Tom is shocked that Susan has reunited with Karl and the atmosphere at the school becomes awkward. Susan struggles with Tom's modern teaching methods and Tom tells her that he would be happy to accept her resignation, they later become friends. Karl is shocked to find Tom has returned and he becomes convinced that he and Susan are together. Karl confronts Tom, who tells him that he does not deserve Susan. Karl realises that Tom does not know Susan that well and is not threat to his marriage. Susan asks to meet Tom and she tells him that she loves Karl and many of the students turn on Tom for trying to come between Karl and Susan. Tom decides to resign and he tells Susan that he is going to Ireland to see some relatives.

Olivia McPherson

Olivia "Mac" McPherson, played by Silvia de Crespigny, made her first on-screen appearance on 3 June 2004. Olivia is a police officer who dates both Jack Scully and Stuart Parker.

de Crespigny Said she jumped at the chance to play the "mysterious" Olivia. The role was her first television job and she said that it was "brilliant" and that the cast had been very welcoming towards her. de Crespigny described Olivia as a "feisty young lady" and said "She's a party girl, but she has a life that she likes to keep split. She likes to shake things up a little bit." de Crespigny added that she is not similar to her character and clubbing is not her forte, but she does enjoy going out and having fun.

Olivia is the third generation of her family, after her father and grandfather, to become a police officer. She eventually becomes a senior constable, but she starts going out clubbing every night and taking drugs. Olivia becomes corrupt and helps rob building sites in order to fund her nights out. She meets Jack Scully (Jay Bunyan) at a club and they start spending a lot of time together. She makes sure that he only knows her by her nickname, Mac, and they eventually start dating. Olivia and Jack are involved in a small car crash on their way home from a night out. When the police arrive, Olivia tells Jack to leave as the police officers would probably recognise her. Olivia is partnered with Stuart Parker (Blair McDonough) and Stuart develops a crush on her. When he makes a mistake in his log book, Olivia covers for him. Stuart becomes suspicious of Olivia when he sees her taking something from a known criminal. Jack turns to Olivia when the site he is working on is robbed. She lends him some money and tells him that there is no hurry to pay it back. However, she suddenly demands the money back from Jack and almost runs over Summer Hoyland (Marisa Siketa). Olivia goes back to her ways and starts taking drugs again. Jack refuses to go to a club with her and she turns nasty. When Olivia is unable to get her hands on any money, she suggests to Jack that they stage a robbery at his site. When Stuart questions Jack, Olivia's cover is blown and Jack is shocked to find out that she is policeman. Olivia discovers that Darren Stark (Todd MacDonald) has a criminal record and decides to pin the robbery on him, but Darren has a strong alibi. Olivia and Stuart attend a Police Ball together and when Jack loses control of his car while on the phone to her, she ends their relationship. Olivia decides to turn over a new leaf and she and Stuart sleep together. She then tells him everything and he decides to report her for her actions. Olivia says goodbye to Jack and tells Stuart that he will make a great police officer.

The BBC
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