Neville McPhee

'' Home and Away'' is an Australian television soap opera. It was first broadcast on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. The following is a list of characters that first appeared in that year, by order of first appearance. They were all introduced by the show's executive producer Alan Bateman who oversaw the serial before being succeeded by series producer Des Monaghan whose episodes first began airing in November. Sixteen of the original eighteen regular characters debuted in the pilot episode. The Fletcher family consisting of Frank Morgan, Tom and Pippa Fletcher, Carly Morris, Steven Matheson, Sally Keating and Lynn Davenport were introduced first. Summer Bay residents Alf Stewart, Floss and Neville McPhee, Bobby Simpson, Donald Fisher, Ailsa Hogan, Martin Dibble, Lance Smart and Matt Wilson also made their debuts. They were soon joined by Alf's daughter Roo and sister, Celia. In March, Lyn Collingwood arrived as Lance's mother, Colleen. The same month, Liddy Clark began playing Kerry Barlow and Amanda Newman-Phillips joined the cast as Narelle Smart. In April, Gerry Sont began playing Brett Macklin, a love interest for Roo. Barbara Stephens and Cornelia Frances arrived in June as Alf's other sisters Barbara Stewart and Morag Bellingham, respectively. July saw Simon Kay enter as Donald and Barbara's son Alan Fisher. Gavin Harrison began playing Revhead in August and was soon followed by John Morris as Philip Matheson. That month saw the serial's first birth Christopher Fletcher, son of the established Tom and Pippa. Another birth occurred in September, Martha Stewart, daughter of Roo and Brett. Sandie Lillingston joined the cast in the same episode as Brett's sister, Stacey and in November, George Leppard guested as Al Simpson.

Frank Morgan

Frank Morgan played by Alex Papps debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 17 January 1988 and appeared until 1989. Frank was the first character to appear, although a Police officer (Bruce Venables) spoke the first piece of dialogue. Frank was played by Bradley Pilato in the scene, which was set in 1978 as a young Frank tries to escape from the Police officer.
Papps' casting was announced ahead of the series debut. In 1991, Papps reprised the role for four weeks. Papps also returned for guest appearances in 2000 and 2002 respectively. Eamonn McCusker of The Digital Fix said that Frank was a "decent-but-dim sort of man" and thought that Frank made a habit of walking down the aisle. Papps was still recognised as Frank in public despite mainly playing the role in his teenage years.

Tom Fletcher

Tom Fletcher played by Roger Oakley debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 17 January 1988. Ruth Deller of television website Lowculture described patriarch Tom "One of the nicest dad characters in soap, ever". The Soap Show called Tom the "first patriarch of ''Home and Away''."

Pippa Fletcher

Pippa Ross, played by Vanessa Downing made her first appearance in on 17 January 1988 in the serial's pilot. Downing left the serial in 1990 and Debra Lawrance took over the role from until 1998 and has subsequently returned to guest star. In 1997, Lawrance quit the role and Pippa departed in 1998. Pippa was placed sixth in ''TV Week's'' list of the "Top 10 Aussie TV mums".

Sally Fletcher

Sally Louise Fletcher played by Kate Ritchie made her first appearance in the Pilot episode airing on 17 January 1988, departed on 3 April 2008, returned on 15 July 2013 and departed again on 5 September 2013 Ritchie auditioned for the role of Sally in front of executive producer John Holmes in 1987. Her audition scene was all about strawberry jam and Sally's imaginary friend Milco. Ritchie has won various awards for her role as Sally including Most Popular Actress awards in 2006, 2007 and 2008 at The Logie Awards and Most Popular Personality.

Steven Matheson

Steven Matheson played by Adam Willits made his first appearance on 17 January 1988 in the serial's pilot. Willits departed in 1991 but returned in 1995 as a regular and remained until 1996 and has made sporadic guest appearances from 1997 to 2008. Willits was offered the role of Steven in 1987 . Oram 1989, p.97.
Willits described Steven's development as slow because he remained "a bit of a dork". He added that Steven was destined for "exciting things". A columnist for '' Inside Soap'' said "once the school swat and a bit of a square, he grew up into a egghead who couldn't get a girl. Duller than one of Alf Stewart's bowling club cheese and wine parties, quiet Steven Matheson seemed destined to stay single." Of his return in 1995, they opined Steven no longer had trouble finding a partner but had a "problem" finding one his own age.

Carly Morris

Carly Morris, played by Sharyn Hodgson made her first appearance on 17 January 1988 in the serial's pilot episode. Hogdson left the serial in 1991 but returned for guest spots in 1997, 2000, 2002 and 2008. Her character Carly's rape was a key factor in the serial's rise in ratings. and was heralded as "very brave territory for a prime-time soap". Hodgson defended the storyline, saying "In ''Home and Away'' we show life as it really happens. It's not irresponsible to show attacks, unwanted pregnancies or people turning to alcohol. It's realistic and it shows we are confronting these problems. The thing about having a foster family as the main characters is that they do have trauma in their lives. Seeing how they cope must help people". Hodgson researched the storyline by calling the Rape Crisis Centre, reading articles and watching documentaries.

Lynn Davenport

Lynn Davenport played by Helena Bozich, made her first appearance on 17 January 1988 in the serial's pilot and departed on 25 August 1988.

Bozich auditioned for the role of Lynn while attending the Johnny Young Talent School. While filming for the series, the actress had a tutor to help her complete her school certificate. In the ''Home and Away Annual'' written by Melanie J Clayden, she describes Lynn as being a "mistake" from birth and could never do any right where her parents were concerned. Lynn had run away from home several times due to the tension and arguments between her parents. Lynn was soon placed in care but ran away again and as a result the child services decided to send her to a foster home. Lynn was placed in the care of Pippa (Vanessa Downing) and Tom Fletcher (Roger Oakley); who were experienced in dealing with difficult children. J Clayden 1989, p.52. Lynn was later written out of the series as Bozich took a fifteen-week break. The serial's producer Alan Bateman said that the character would have a "very dramatic return". Bateman told a reporter from ''Sunday Mail TV Plus'' that a large cast meant that some characters such as Lynn needed to be "rested".

Lynn is the youngest of Barry (Michael Caton) and Julie's (Olivia Brown) seven children. The Davenports treated Lynn so badly that she was put into a children's home at the age of 10, where she befriended Sally (Kate Ritchie). Both Lynn and Sally were fostered by Pippa and Tom Fletcher and the family move to Summer Bay. Lynn runs away from home after Eric, the family's pet dog dies after being poisoned. She hides out on a farm and where befriends an autistic Greek boy, Nico Pappas ( Nicholas Papademetriou) who lives with his grandmother. After Lynn is found and the locals accuse Nico of kidnapping her, she is quick to rise to his defence. After Carly Morris (Sharyn Hodgson) is raped and Nico is institutionalised for attacking Donald Fisher (Norman Coburn), Lynn who is a Christian begins to lose her faith in god but later regains it. Barry visits Lynn at the Fletchers and Lynn thinks she may able to go home. However, Carly overhears a conversation between Barry, Tom and Pippa where Barry reveals he and Julie do not have enough time for her but cannot tell Lynn the truth. Several months later, Julie makes a televised appeal for Lynn to return home and she does. Lynn returns shortly after Pippa gives birth to a new-born son, Christopher (Ashleigh Bell-Weir).

Alf Stewart

Alf Stewart portrayed by Ray Meagher. The character debuted on-screen during the serial's pilot episode on 17 January 1988. Meagher is the only remaining original cast member still present. Meagher holds a Guinness World Record as the longest-serving actor in an Australian serial for portraying Alf since 1988. As of 2011 he is the only remaining original cast member still present. In 2010 Meagher took a break from ''Home and Away'', so he could travel to London to star in the West End production of ''Priscilla Queen of the Desert'' Hampshire culture website Get Hampshire branded Alf a "legendary misery-guts". They also said he is commonly known for his use of declining Australian slang with sayings such as "flamin' mongrel". For his portrayal of Alf, Meagher was nominated for Most Popular Actor at the 2008 Digital Spy Soap Awards. In 2010, Meagher won the Gold Logie at the Logie Awards.

Neville McPhee

Neville McPhee, played by Frank Lloyd, first appeared on 17 January 1988 and departed on 10 March 1989. Neville and his wife Floss (Sheila Kennelly) were described as a "funny old pair". Neville and Floss are retired cicus performers who live in their Gypsy Caravan in the Summer Bay Caravan park. They welcome the arrival of The Fletcher Family who have arrive from the city and purchase Summer Bay house and caravan park from Alf Stewart and take over the running of the park, unbeknownst to them Neville is covering for street kid Bobby Simpson ( Nicolle Dickson) who is hiding on suspicion of burglary by keeping her hidden in a disused van. His wife Floss, who is a fortune teller warns Neville about Bobby as she senses and tells him that Bobby may cause the death of one of the Fletchers. Neville dismisses this and continues befriending Bobby. When his bagpipes are destroyed, Neville blames Lance Smart (Peter Vroom) and Martin Dibble (Craig Thomson) but the real culprit is Sally Keating ( Kate Ritchie), who cut the bagpipe open to let "Mr. Haggis" – a creature Neville told her about- out of the pipe. Floss begins to miss their son, Scott (Peter Ford) and decides to go the city to visit him, Neville refuses to talk to Scott as relations are sour. After Floss learns Scott is overseas and has a son, Ben (Justin Rosniak), she begins posing as a nanny. Neville warns her against this but Floss continues. When Floss brings Ben to Summer Bay, she and Neville are forced to reveal their identities as his grandparents. Ben tells them he wants to live in Summer Bay with them after staying with them for several days. Scott arrives at the caravan park and angrily retrieves Ben. Neville and Floss follow him back to the city and camp out on his lawn, refusing to leave until he speaks to them. In the end, they are forced to leave, breaking Ben's heart. After seeing how upset Floss is on Mother's Day, Neville returns to the city and chastises Scott for not visiting or at least calling Floss. Scott reluctantly agrees and brings his wife Anna (Kate Turner) and Ben to spend the day on the beach with Neville and Floss and the family put the past behind them.

Neville receives an offer from his old ringmaster who gives him job back and he and Floss decide to leave the bay. The McPhees try to make a quiet exit by leaving a note on their caravan and they drive off. The car breaks down and the Fletchers find them and give them an emotional goodbye. They later send a telegram to Carly Morris (Sharyn Hodgson) and Ben Lucini ( Julian McMahon) on their wedding day. When Floss returns to Summer Bay in 2000, ahead of Sally's wedding to Kieran Fletcher ( Spencer McLaren), she tells her Neville died four years earlier after leading a happy and full life.

Floss McPhee

Floss McPhee, played by Sheila Kennelly first appeared on 17 January 1988 and departed on 10 March 1989. She made return guest appearances between 2000 and 2008.
Kennelly received a fan letter from a viewer in Queensland who had read she lived on a farm in the Hunter Region. The letter arrived in less than a week. Floss and her husband Neville were described by Lucy Clark of ''The Sun-Herald'' as "A Funny Old Pair".

Bobby Simpson

Bobby Simpson, portrayed by Nicolle Dickson first appeared on 17 January 1988 and remained in the series until 1993. Dickson was awarded the Most Popular New Talent at the 1989 Logie Awards for her portrayal of Bobby. and was nominated in the category of "Most Popular Actress" at the 1991 Logie Awards. A columnist for '' Inside Soap'' described Bobby as a "tearaway" who eventually became the "pillar of the community".

Donald Fisher

Donald Fisher, played by Norman Coburn made his first appearance on 17 January 1988. Coburn's long-running portrayal of Fisher earned him a place in the 2002 Guinness World Records alongside cast mates Ray Meagher and Kate Ritchie.

Ailsa Stewart

Ailsa Stewart played by Judy Nunn made her first appearance on 17 January 1988 and remained in the serial until 2000. The character has been described as a "much-loved maternal disciplinarian".

Martin Dibble

Martin Dibble portrayed by Craig Thomson, made his first on-screen appearance on 17 January 1988, the show's pilot episode and left the show on 3 April 1990. Thomson landed the role after appearing in a soft drink advertisement. Robyn Harvey from ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' opined that Martin was just "a big dag". A columnist '' Daily Record'' branded Martin and Lance Smart the "thickest characters ever to grace soapland" by a columnist from the '' Daily Record''.

Lance Smart

Lance Smart, portrayed by Peter Vroom made his first appearance on 17 January 1988 and departed on 11 April 1990. Vroom made subsequent returns throughout the 2000s.
Lucy Clark of ''The Sun-Herald'' described Lance and Martin as "Two surfie blokes who are thick as two short planks". Clive Hopwood wrote in his book ''Home and Away Special'' that Lance lacked enough intelligence that he had "difficulty knowing which way round to sit on a bicycle. Hopwood 1990, p.46.

Matt Wilson

Matt Wilson played by Greg Benson, made his first appearance on 17 January 1988.
Benson was initially credited as "Surfer" in the serial's pilot episode before joining the show on an episodic basis as Matt. Oram 1989, p.125. Clive Hopwood praised Benson for his portrayal of Matt saying it was "Natural" and no surprise that he took to the role "like a duck or, rather a lifeguard, to water.

Roo Stewart

Roo Stewart originally played by Justine Clarke, currently played by Georgie Parker, made her first on-screen appearance on 20 January 1988. Clarke originally auditioned for the roles of Carly Morris, Lynn Davenport and Bobby Simpson; but was unsuccessful each time. The producers later invited Clarke to audition for the role of Roo, which she won. Clarke told a reporter from ''TV Life'' that she was "really pleased" because she though Roo was a "great character". Ausculture named Roo fifth on their Top Ten Aussie Soap Villains list. They called Roo "evil" for trying to break up Alf's relationship with Ailsa, lying to and trying to marry Frank, leaving him at the altar and later having an affair with him. Andrew Mercado described Roo as Alf Stewart's (Ray Meagher) "Minxy teenage daughter" in his book, ''Super Aussie soaps: behind the scenes of Australia's best loved TV shows''.

Celia Stewart

Celia Stewart played by Fiona Spence made her first on-screen appearance on 26 January 1988 and remained until 20 April 1990, following Spence's decision to leave. Spence reprised her role as Celia in 2005 for the serial's 4000th episode based around Alf Stewart's (Ray Meagher) 60th birthday. In 2012, Spence's management announced that she had reprised her role and returned to ''Home and Away''. Celia is described as a "gossip" and a "busybody" . Andrew Mercado wrote in his book, ''Super Aussie Soaps'', that she was a "prudish" character. Spence herself, described Celia as "very vulnerable". Oram 1989, p.111.

Colleen Smart

Colleen Smart, played by Lyn Collingwood, made her first appearance on 7 March 1988 and departed 23 May 2012. Colleen was introduced into the serial as a recurring character in 1988 until 1989. Colleen mainly served as a source of comic relief and acted as the busybody type character. Colleen was reintroduced again in 1999 with Collingwood reprising the role. Collingwood was nominated at the 2007 ''Inside Soap'' Awards in the category of "Funniest Performance" for her portrayal of Colleen.

Kerry Barlow

Kerry Barlow, played by Liddy Clark, debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 9 March 1988 and remained until 15 April 1988.

When ''Home and Away'' started gaining viewers over the evening news airing on a rival channel, the Seven Network planned ways to keep the viewers interested. In the book ''Home and Away: Behind the Scenes''; James Oram said that "special episodes" were promoted via "intensive campaigns" on the channel, with the most successful being a domestic violence storyline which featured Kerry. The character becomes a victim to her husband, Sam Barlow's (Jeff Truman) alcohol-fuelled anger. The storyline aired at a time when the Australian government published a report detailing that one in five nationals thought it was okay to beat women. Clark felt "appalled" while portraying the issue. She told Oram that she found playing Kerry "a very frightening experience". The actress had never played a victim before and she found it so distressing that she ruled out playing a similar role in the future. She said that it was "important to note" that her character was beat up as a result of Sam drinking to excess. Clark added her belief that alcohol was one of the main contributors to domestic violence. Oram 1989, p.123.

Kerry is Sam's wife and the mother of their daughter Sandra (Catherine McColl-Jones). When Sam is demoted at work, he takes his frustrations out on Kerry and Sandra physically, resulting in both being hospitalised. Kerry is then used by Sam to hold Sandra prisoner in her room. Kerry helps Sandra escape and she contacts Sergeant Bob Barnett (Rob Baxter) who tries to apprehend Sam. Sam disarms Barnett and takes his gun, holding him and Kerry hostage. Tom Fletcher (Roger Oakley), Steven Matheson ( Adam Willits) and Ailsa Hogan ( Judy Nunn) arrive. Tom tries to disarm Sam after he points the gun at Sandra but Kerry is killed in the process. She was the first person to die on Home and Away

Narelle Smart

Narelle Smart played by Amanda Newman-Phillips, debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 25 March 1988. Newman-Phillip's role garnered her recognition as one of the most famous soap stars in the United Kingdom and she was tipped by her agent to replace Kylie Minogue of '' Neighbours'' as the "number one" soap star.

Brett Macklin

Brett Macklin played by Gerry Sont made his first appearance on-screen during the episode airing on 11 April 1988. Sont returned to filming in 2005 and was involved in a storyline with the character of Josie Russell (Laurie Foell).

Brett begins dating Roo Stewart (Justine Clarke) after her father Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher) sends her to Boarding School in Sydney. When Frank Morgan (Alex Papps) arrives to visit Roo, he sees Brett and punches him. Brett soon learns Roo is pregnant and tells her to have an abortion but she refuses and runs away. Brett later learns of Roo's plan to convince Frank to marry her and pass the child off as his. Brett then tells Roo that a recent case of the mumps has left him infertile and conspires with her aunt Morag Bellingham ( Cornelia Frances) to get custody of the child. In the aftermath of Frank and Roo's failed wedding, Brett and Morag try to convince Roo to surrender custody to him but she lies and tells them she aborted the child. Brett then involves his lawyers and provokes the ire of Alf, who punches him just before a discussion at Morag's house. Brett agrees to call off legal proceedings if he is a part of the child's life. Morag hosts a dinner party and Brett tries to get Alf and his sister Celia Stewart ( Fiona Spence) onside with a business proposition for an investment into a development his family are planning. Brett offers Frank a job and he accepts. Frank then does some digging to expose evidence Brett's resort development of being a fraud. Brett then causes problems between Alf and Ailsa. Bobby Simpson ( Nicolle Dickson) publicly humiliates Brett in revenge by accepting a date but getting together with Frank.

Brett conspires with Roo to fake her labour but her contractions begin for real. Brett's father Gordon (Ron Haddrick) arrives when the baby is born but refuses to have anything with the child because she is female and berates Brett. Brett falls into a depression after being cut off by Gordon and books into the Caravan Park. His sister, Stacey ( Sandie Lillingston) arrives to take over the business. Brett then decides he wants custody of his daughter Martha MacKenzie (Burcin Kapkin) and blackmails Roo into handing her over by threatening to stop the development meaning, Alf and every other investor in the Bay will lose their money. Roo reluctantly complies. Brett then grabs Martha and flees to Melbourne with Stacey and Philip Matheson ( John Morris) in hot pursuit. Philip tries to stop Brett but he slams his hand in the car door causing permanent damage. While on the run, Brett struggles to cope with Martha and is forced to take her to a hospital. The police are called and Martha is returned to Roo. Brett and Roo decide neither of them are capable of raising the child and agree to put Martha up for adoption.

Brett tries to apologise to Phillip but he refuses to accept his apology. Brett then contemplates suicide but is stopped by Jeff Samuels (Alex Petersons). After a long chat with Stacey, he decides to leave. Brett resurfaces when Martha, now 18 years old, tries to get in contact with him after rejecting an earlier attempt. Brett becomes involved with Josie romantically and professionally to develop a new resort on the Caravan Park. Brett is unaware Josie is working to bring down his shady dealings and when he realises, he tries to kill her by shoving her off a cliff and he is arrested as a result.

Morag Bellingham

Morag Bellingham played by Cornelia Frances made her first on-screen appearance on 7 June 1988. Frances has played the role of Morag on a recurrent basis over twenty-three years Emily Dunn writing for ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' branded Morag a "fearsome judge". The '' Sunday Mercury'' branded her as "the frightening Morag". Whilst the '' Sunday Mail'' call her a "tough lawyer". Keily Oakes writing for the BBC
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