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The many faces of Home and Away.

Home and Away characters: Top 50 heroes we love and villains we hate from three decades of Summer Bay

Main Image: The many faces of Home and Away.

Stephanie McKenna, Jay Hanna and Clare RigdenThe West Australian
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Strewth, it’s been more than three decades since Home and Away launched on TV, making Summer Bay feel like a home away from home. We look at the characters we have loved or loved to hate.

Alf Stewart.
Camera IconAlf Stewart. Credit: Georgie Parker / Instagram/Georgie Parker / Instagram

1 Alf Stewart

(Ray Meagher, 1988-present)

Stone the flamin’ crows, if Alf Stewart isn’t Australia’s most iconic TV character of all time then we don’t know who is. Alf was one of the show’s original 18 characters when Home and Away launched in 1988 and strewth, would you believe Meagher now holds a Guinness World Record for being the longest-serving actor in an Australian series? Alf is beloved for his no-nonsense approach, his fondness for ocker headwear, dishing out advice (whether wanted or not) and his many catchphrases. including “flamin’ galah!”. The day Meagher retires and Alf is killed off will likely be a day of national mourning.

Lynne McGranger.
Camera IconLynne McGranger. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

2 Irene Roberts

(Lynne McGranger, 1993-present)

There was definitely a touch of Annie’s Miss Hannigan about Irene Roberts when she first landed in the Bay as a washed-up alcoholic. However, once she sobered up, this weather-beaten Aussie battler proved she had a heart of gold as she set about welcoming a steady stream of stray, troubled children into her home for a shoulder to cry on, a hot cuppa and a place to stay. Irene is one of the longest-running characters on the show, and the woman behind the character, Lynne McGranger, has become a bona fide national treasure.

Brax (played by Stephen Peacocke) mourns for Casey in Home and Away.
Camera IconBrax (played by Stephen Peacocke) mourns for Casey in Home and Away. Credit: Jeremy Greive

3 Darryl (Brax) Braxton

(Stephen Peacocke, 2011-2016)

From the moment he arrived in Summer Bay, bad boy Brax — the leader of outlaw surfie gang the River Boys — had the town and fans in a spin. He also had an eye for the ladies. He fell in love with the local cop, Charlie Buckton (Esther Anderson) but when she died, he went off the rails and was beaten to a pulp as a cage fighter. Ricky (Bonnie Sveen) helped steer him back on course, and the pair had a baby together and found happiness for a while. But Brax wasn’t one to settle down for long. He’s still out there, and many fans eagerly await his possible return.

Dieter Brummer and Melissa George as Shane and Angel.
Camera IconDieter Brummer and Melissa George as Shane and Angel. Credit: unknown/supplied

4 Shane Parrish

(Dieter Brummer, 1992-1996)

When Dieter Brummer died in July, millennials all over the country mourned the loss of their first love. Almost every woman who was a teenager in the 1990s had a bit of a soft spot for Brummer (and probably a Smash Hits poster of him on their wall). As with many Home and Away characters, Shane was initially a bad boy before finding love with Angel, getting married and then dramatically dying of septicaemia on a picnic to celebrate their first wedding anniversary.

5 Bobby Simpson

(Nicolle Dickson, 1988-1993, 1995)

A troubled teen with a heart of gold, Bobby was an early favourite among viewers in the 80s and 90s. Bobby was forever fighting with strict Summer Bay High principal Donald Fisher, while also embroiled in a love triangle with her foster brother Frank (Alex Papps) and Alf’s daughter Roo. Her story arc took an interesting turn when it was revealed Bobby’s biological parents were Donald and Morag Bellingham (Alf’s sister). While Donald and Bobby were equally dismayed when they found out the truth, they later developed a loving relationship. Bobby was killed off in a boating accident in 1993. She made a brief and bizarre return to the series when Ailsa Stewart began having hallucinations and seeing Bobby’s face on her fridge.

6 Marilyn Chambers

(Emily Symons, 1989-1992, 1995-1999, 2001, 2010-present)

Marilyn brought fun and frivolity to Summer Bay. Introduced as Lance Vroom’s beautician girlfriend, she sported a bouffant to rival Marge Simpson’s and an uncanny ability to march along the beach in sky-high stilettos. Early on she often clashed with Alf’s sisters Morag and Celia, while Alf had a soft spot for Marilyn and has grown to view her as a surrogate daughter, even though she’s never stopped calling him “Mr Stewart”. Over the years Marilyn has married twice, dealt with post-natal depression, lost her son, been electrocuted, suffered from amnesia, moved overseas, survived cancer, and taken up fortune-telling.

Kate Richie.
Camera IconKate Richie. Credit: NCA

7 Sally Fletcher

(Kate Ritchie, 1988-2008, 2013)

Kate Ritchie took on the role of Sally at age 8 and didn’t leave until she was 28. One of Tom and Pippa’s original foster children, Sally was known for her cute chubby cheeks and her imaginary friend Milco. Sally (and Ritchie) literally grew up in front of our eyes and we watched as she got her first bra, had her first pash (with Heath Ledger’s character Scott Irwin, no less), had a child via a surrogate, and discovered Milco was actually her long-lost brother Miles. The burning question is, will Sally ever return to the Bay? Never say never.

A hopeful Belle (Jessica Tovey) on what should be the happiest day of her life.
Camera IconA hopeful Belle (Jessica Tovey) on what should be the happiest day of her life. Credit: five

8 Belle Taylor

(Jessica Tovey, 2006-2009)

The bad girl with a heart of gold arrived in Summer Bay to find her birth mother. Sassy, smart and opinionated, Belle soon struck up a romance with Aden Jefferies (Todd Lasance). The pair were hailed by fans as the “hottest couple” on our screens at the time. Belle and Aden’s romance was put to the test many times, including when he took her hostage and again when she developed an addiction to painkillers and lied to Aden about kicking her habit. But despite it all, Belle and Aden proved to be a strong pairing, and hugely popular with viewers. Belle found out she had terminal cancer before their wedding and vowed not to tell Aden. He discovered the truth but they went ahead and got married. Belle later died in Aden’s arms in one of the show’s most tragic storylines.

Norman Coburn as Donald Fisher on the set of Home and Away with Nicolle Dickson as Bobby.
Camera IconNorman Coburn as Donald Fisher on the set of Home and Away with Nicolle Dickson as Bobby. Credit: UNKNOWN/SUPPLIED

9 Donald Fisher

(Norman Coburn, 1988-2003, 2004, 2005, 2007)

Originally the straighty-180, stuffy principal of Summer Bay High, Donald “Flathead” Fisher gradually mellowed over time. In the pilot episode in 1988, he was hell-bent on getting delinquent teen Bobby locked up, only to discover a few years later she was his daughter. Donald’s unlikely relationship with flamboyant beautician Marilyn helped endear him to viewers. Their chalk-and-cheese relationship made for some comical storylines.

10 Charlie Buckton

(Esther Anderson, 2008-2013)

Esther Anderson was enormously popular as kind-hearted copper Charlie. She had a brief lesbian relationship with Joey Collins (Kate Bell) but viewers apparently were not on board so the relationship was sidelined. Charlie went on to have several flings, but of course, the love of her life was bad-boy Brax. After she was shot, her family made the difficult decision to turn off her life support, while fans all over the world mourned her demise.

Jasmine, played by Sam Frost.
Camera IconJasmine, played by Sam Frost. Credit: Channel 7/Channel 7

11 Jasmine Delaney

(Sam Frost, 2017-present)

Jasmine’s been through the wringer since joining the cast in 2017. Her husband was killed off, she grappled with depression, and became obsessed with having a baby to the point she even plotted to steal one. Even with all that going on, she’s remarkably loveable. We first met Sam Frost when she was looking for love on The Bachelor. The nation sympathised when she was jilted by love-rat Blake Garvey but no doubt that experience helped her relate to all the heartache Jasmine would face in Summer Bay.

Rebekah Elmaloglou.
Camera IconRebekah Elmaloglou.

12 Sophie Simpson

(Rebekah Elmaloglou, 1990-1993, 2002, 2003, 2005)

An original favourite, Sophie was a 90s fashion icon with a penchant for knee-length denim shorts (remember those?!). She was one of Pippa and Tom’s foster kids and fell pregnant to David Croft (played by Guy Pearce), a teacher at Summer Bay High and Donald’s nephew, who died in an accident before Sophie realised she was expecting his child. Sophie left the series when David’s mum appeared and convinced her to move to Perth so she could help Sophie raise her and David’s daughter, Tamara. Sophie returned for several guest appearances and even offered to be a surrogate for Sally and Flynn before losing the baby and reconciling with her high school love Blake (Les Hill).

Isla Fisher.
Camera IconIsla Fisher.

13 Shannon Reed

(Isla Fisher, 1994-1997)

Even as a teen, this WA-raised actor had undeniable star quality. Shannon was an impressively progressive character for the 90s. An aspiring writer, she battled anorexia and later fell for an older female writer who, it was implied, she left Summer Bay to be with. In real life, Isla Fisher went on to star in several Hollywood movies, including a memorable turn as a “stage-five clinger” in Wedding Crashers.

Ada Nicodemou.
Camera IconAda Nicodemou. Credit: Channel 7/Channel 7

14 Leah Patterson

(Ada Nicodemou, 2000-present)

You’ve got to admire Leah for persisting with love, even with her dreadful track record. She arrived on the show in 2000 as a runaway bride in her wedding dress and she’s been doomed ever since. It wasn’t long before she fell for Vinnie Patterson (Ryan Kwanten), who died in a prison fire. But, in true Home and Away style, he turned out not to be dead and was in witness protection the whole time. There have been countless other once-in-a-lifetime great loves and proposals over the years, but one by one, her suitors have left, whether it be from death by abseiling accident or deciding to become a missionary in Africa. Her current beau Justin Morgan (James Stewart) is hanging in there. She’s also been kidnapped countless times.

15 Gypsy Nash

(Kimberly Cooper 1998–2002, 2011)

An enduring fan favourite even though her character has long since left the show, Gypsy Nash was a wild-child schoolgirl. She was the kind of girl teens in the late 90s and early 2000s wanted to hang out with and the kind of girl all the boys wanted to date. Gypsy eventually settled down with Will Smith (Zac Drayson) and the pair moved to Queensland. She returned to the Bay in 2011 when Irene was diagnosed with breast cancer. But after causing plenty of dramas, Irene asked her to take her daughter Lily and go.

16 Martha Stewart/Mackenzie

(Jodi Anasta, 1988, 2005-2010)

Born to teenager Roo in the show’s first year, Martha was named after Roo’s mother. When she arrived back in the Bay in 2005, Martha was played by model-turned-actor Jodi Anasta. The fun-loving and feisty newcomer raised eyebrows working as a pole dancer, and the scenes copped a bit of backlash for being unsuitable for the timeslot. When she wasn’t shaking her booty, Martha had her work cut out for her surviving a helicopter crash, dealing with an abortion and miscarriage, struggles with alcoholism, being diagnosed with breast cancer and surviving an explosion on her wedding day.

17 Vinnie Patterson

(Ryan Kwanten, 1997-2002)

Poor ill-fated Vinnie was the larrikin of Summer Bay, forever up to mischief and hijinks. He fell in love with and married Leah but went to jail not long after the birth of their son VJ (Vinnie Jr), after being implicated in fraud thanks to his father’s dodgy dealings. Vinnie was later released into a witness protection program but died in a farming accident, paving the way for Ryan Kwanten to head to Hollywood and find fame on cult vampire series True Blood.

18 Angel Parrish

(Melissa George, 1993-1996)

Before she was an international TV star, Perth-born actor Melissa George got her big break playing Angel, an ethereal, hippie Summer Bay resident and one half of the iconic Shane-and-Angel power couple. Angel, who had been involved in a car accident, miraculously rose from her wheelchair to walk down the aisle on her wedding day. And while they were one of the show’s most popular love matches, in real life George and Brummer apparently couldn’t stand each other.

19 Pippa Fletcher/Ross

(Vanessa Downing, 1988-1990; Debra Lawrance, 1990-2009)

The first episode of Home and Away centred on kind-hearted Pippa, her husband Tom (Roger Oakley) and their foster children moving to the Bay. But Pippa dealt with more than her share of grief, too — Tom died of a heart attack, she lost a baby to SIDS, and her second husband Michael (Dennis Coard) drowned. While Vanessa Downing was a terrific Pippa, viewers also took to Debra Lawrance, who held the role for two decades.

Luke Mitchell made his mark in his role as Romeo Smith on Home And Away.
Camera IconLuke Mitchell made his mark in his role as Romeo Smith on Home And Away. Credit: NCA

20 Romeo Smith

(Luke Mitchell, 2009-2013)

Real talk: we’re still getting over Romeo’s tragic demise. He concealed his terminal cancer diagnosis from true-love Indi, leaving the Bay to spare his wife the grief of his final days. His ashes were scattered from the Summer Bay cliff tops, and shut up, I’m not crying, YOU’RE crying.

21 Indi Walker

(Samara Weaving, 2009–2013)

Before she was a Hollywood A-lister, Samara Weaving (and yes, she’s related to Hugo — she’s his niece, actually), played Indi, one half of one of Summer Bay’s most enduring love stories. Heartbroken after Romeo’s death, Indi eventually left Summer Bay for a new life in Copenhagen, Denmark. As you do.

22 Chloe Richards

(Kristy Wright, 1995-2005)

Chloe was one of the children Irene fostered. Her storylines are among the heaviest in the show’s history and involved her being raped, abusing drugs, having a breakdown, unknowingly dating her rapist and being injured in a car crash caused by her drunk, jilted would-be lover Jesse McGregor (Ben Unwin). While Chloe’s injuries seemed superficial she died of an embolism the day she was supposed to have surgery on her injured arm.

23 Lance Smart

(Peter Vroom 1988-1990, 2000-2006)

You can’t have Lance without his sidekick Martin Dribble — the Laurel and Hardy of Summer Bay. The two, both regular characters when Home and Away first started in the 80s, acted as the show’s comic relief double-act. Lance was the son of Colleen (Lyn Collingwood), and went on to make regular guest appearances on the show through the noughties.

24 Martin Dibble

(Craig Thomsen, 1988-90, 2000, 2002)

Lance’s other half Martin was the “brains” of the operation, regularly leading his offsider astray. He lived in the caravan park and was there to welcome the Fletchers when they moved to the Bay.

Kirsty (Christie Hayes), Kane (Sam Atwell), Hayley (Rebecca Cartwright) and Noah (Beau Brady) at their wedding reception.
Camera IconKirsty (Christie Hayes), Kane (Sam Atwell), Hayley (Rebecca Cartwright) and Noah (Beau Brady) at their wedding reception. Credit: Unknown/TVW 7

25 Hayley Smith

(Bec Cartwright, 1998-2005; Ella Scott Lynch, 2005)

Before she was Australia’s favourite WAG, Bec Cartwright was Irene’s foster daughter, Hayley. She left the show in 2005 after falling pregnant to tennis star Lleyton Hewitt. Her character was recast but as is often the case, it just wasn’t the same and Hayley was soon sent to live overseas (the TV alternative to dying).

26 VJ Patterson

(Matthew Little, 2014-2018)

Born to Leah and Vinnie, little Vinnie Jr, aka VJ, has been a Summer Bay mainstay for more than two decades. Over the years various kid actors have jumped into his skin, but Matthew Little, who joined as grown-up VJ, really made the part his own. He’s out there somewhere still, and we eagerly await his return. Again.

Patrick O’Connor as Dean.
Camera IconPatrick O’Connor as Dean. Credit: Jeremy Greive

27 Dean Thompson

(Patrick O’Connor, 2018-present)

He’s the Bay’s current resident bad boy — and we love him for it. Dean arrived in Summer Bay a few years ago, a member of the notorious River Boys crime gang. He was caught up in the murder of Bella Nixon’s father, Ross, although he later claimed he was too out of it to remember anything. His best mate Colby took the rap for it and Dean is still struggling to satisfy his hero complex now there’s no one left to save. Up to no good or just misunderstood? Maybe a bit of both, but either way he’s a favourite among fans.

28 Frank Morgan

(Alex Papps, 1988-1989, 1991-1992, 2000, 2002)

That’s right kiddies, before Alex Papps hosted Play School he was on Home and Away. Truth be told, Frank was a lame but likeable character who was easily manipulated by the conniving Roo. He later found love with Bobby but not until after Roo jilted him on their wedding day. However, as in any good TV love triangle, he later ditched Bobby to pursue Roo again. Papps has made various guest appearances on the show and hasn’t ruled out returning.

29 Roo Stewart

(Justine Clarke, 1988-1989; Georgie Parker, 2010-present)

Back in the day Roo was the biggest schemer in the Bay. She put poor Frank, Ailsa and Bobby through hell and lied and connived her way through life. She was the type of character viewers loved to hate. In 2010 it was a new Roo (in more ways than one) who returned to the Bay. Now played by Georgie Parker, mature Roo is way more beige. Do we miss the old Roo? Hell, yeah.

30 Tom Fletcher

(Roger Oakley, 1988-1990)

He was only on the show for a few years, but Tom remains a firm favourite with die-hard fans. He arrived in Summer Bay to run the caravan park with his motley crew of foster kids and loveable wife, Pippa. He died in a car accident — his foster kids Bobby, Sophie and Steven were in the car too — and we, as a nation, were collectively traumatised by his untimely death.

Leah (played by Ada Nicodemou) and Justin (played by James Stewart).
Camera IconLeah (played by Ada Nicodemou) and Justin (played by James Stewart). Credit: Channel 7

31 Justin Morgan

(James Stewart, 2016-present)

Ex-Packed to the Rafters star James Stewart is one of Summer Bay’s most popular residents. Fiercely protective of his brood, Justin’s a trouble magnet and has been embroiled in some fairly spectacular scrapes, stoushes and scandals over the years. In real life, he’s married to his co-star Sarah Roberts, who plays Willow.

32 Tane Parata

(Ethan Browne, 2020- present)

A bad boy with the looks to match, Tane easily claims the title of the biggest biceps in the Bay. As Summer Bay’s version of a new-age sensitive man, when he’s not shredding for gains, you can find him flashing a cheeky smile at the ladies and trying to resist the high-risk, high-reward life of crime.

Morag (Cornelia Frances) starts to interfere with Alf (Ray Meagher) once again.
Camera IconMorag (Cornelia Frances) starts to interfere with Alf (Ray Meagher) once again. Credit: Unknown/TVW 7

33 Morag Bellingham

(Cornelia Frances, 1988-1989, 1993, 2001-2009, 2011-2013, 2016-2017)

Another enduring fan favourite, Morag was the Bay’s original meddling badass. What was it with those Stewart family women? Cold, antagonistic, smart and conniving, Morag was a lawyer and sister to Alf and aunt to Roo. It was later revealed she was Bobby’s biological mum. Morag appeared in the series on and off for almost 30 years. She made her last appearance in 2017, a year before Cornelia Frances died from bladder cancer.

34 Ziggy Astoni

(Sophie Dillman, 2017-present)

Initially a wild child character, Ziggy has won over the Bay and fans. Fiercely loyal, she has endured her fair share of love and heartbreak. She married Brody Morgan (Jackson Heywood), who struggled with drug addiction, but their marriage was short-lived once Brody’s affair with one of his employees came to light. Ziggy also had an on-off relationship with Dean Thompson, played by Sophie Dillman’s real-life partner Patrick O’Connor.

35 Jesse McGregor

(Ben Unwin, 1996-2000, 2002-2005)

Jesse was a complicated character. While striving to give his daughter Rachel a better life, he often resorted to the easy route of crime. He tried to clean up his act several times and went into business with Alf and Hayley to buy the Surf Club but when life dealt him some blows he felt being Mr Nice Guy got him nowhere. His downward spiral resulted in a hit-and-run car collision that led to Chloe’s death. Ben Unwin sadly died in 2019.

Chris Hemsworth in a scene from Home and Away
Camera IconChris Hemsworth in a scene from Home and Away Credit: supplied/supplied

36 Kim Hyde

(Chris Hemsworth, 2004-2007)

Hollywood heartthrob Chris Hemsworth was just one of a number of young actors who got their big break on the shores of Summer Bay. He first captured our hearts as the sandy-haired surfer Kim Hyde, who arrived in Summer Bay after his father, Barry Hyde (Ivar Kants) took a job as Summer Bay High’s principal. Hemsworth won the most popular new male talent award at the 2005 Logie Awards for the role — viewers obviously know star potential when they see it.

A sassy Dannii Minogue back in the day.
Camera IconA sassy Dannii Minogue back in the day.

37 Emma Jackson

(Dannii Minogue, 1989-1990)

The hair, the pout, the leather jacket and the devil-may-care attitude — it was clear from the moment Dannii Minogue set foot in Summer Bay that she’d left Young Talent Time far, far behind her. Emma came to live with her aunt Ailsa Stewart (Judy Nunn) after attacking her stepfather, Barry. She clashed with the curmudgeonly Alf from the beginning. Fun fact: Dannii originally auditioned for the role of Marilyn.

38 Ailsa Stewart

(Judy Nunn 1988-2000, 2002-2003)

Long before Leah and Irene ran the diner, it was owned by Alf's wife, Ailsa, and Bobby (Nicolle Dickson). Practical, caring and down-to-earth, Ailsa was always on hand to listen to other people's problems. On the surface, she appeared a model citizen, but Ailsa had a secret — she'd been jailed for murdering her abusive father. After surviving everything from a mudslide to an armed hold-up, she died of a heart attack. Judy Nunn left to focus on her successful writing career.

39 Ricky Sharpe

(Bonnie Sveen, 2013-2016)

Blonde bombshell Ricky Sharpe quickly became the Bay’s sweetheart. Her romance with Brax led to fans dubbing the pair “Bricky”. Their relationship wasn’t without its problems — from his incarceration to a miscarriage, her short-lived marriage to Cooper (Kyle Pryor) and the birth of her and Brax’s son. It was a rollercoaster from start to finish, and fans couldn’t get enough.

Actor Isabel Lucas and Chris Hemsworth in Home and Away, before both carved out successful careers in Hollywood.
Camera IconActor Isabel Lucas and Chris Hemsworth in Home and Away, before both carved out successful careers in Hollywood. Credit: NCA

40 Natasha Andrews

(Isabel Lucas, 2003-2006)

Tasha was adopted by Y2K survivalists who died defending their bush home from a fire. She fled and washed up on a beach (literally) speaking only pig Latin for several weeks. She later joined one of the many cults that have infiltrated Summer Bay, was drugged and fell pregnant to the cult leader’s son, Jonah. After leaving the show Isabel Lucas enjoyed success in Hollywood, starring in the likes of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, The Pacific, Immortals and Red Dawn. But she is perhaps better known for being a passionate environmental and animal activist and anti-vaxxer.

41 Angelo Rosetta

(Luke Jacobz, 2008-2011, 2020)

Angelo became one of the show’s most hated characters when he shot dead fellow police officer Jack Holden (Paul O’Brien). He was charged with murder but pleaded not guilty. He was eventually acquitted of Jack’s murder and left the Bay with Nicole (Tessa James). Angelo returned in 2020 with a new wife, Taylor (Annabelle Stepheson), in tow. Having risen to the rank of detective, Angelo was tasked with investigating the murder of Ross Nixon (Justin Rosniak). Colby Thorne (Tim Franklin) began sleeping with Taylor to gain insight into the investigation. Angelo later managed to tape Colby confessing to the murder and left the Bay, with Taylor in tow again.

42 Nicole Franklin

(Tessa James, 2008-2011)

Nicole was initially seen as a high- maintenance party girl whose relationship with Geoff Campbell (Lincoln Lewis) helped her mellow. Her storylines involved a sex tape and a teen pregnancy. She agreed to let Marilyn (who was desperate for a baby of her own) raise her child but later changed her mind and left Summer Bay with Angelo and her baby George. In real life Tessa James married rugby player Nate Myles and in 2014 battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She is now in remission.

43 Kirsty Sutherland

(Christie Hayes, 2000-2005, 2008-2009)

Kirsty had one of the show’s most bizarre and controversial storylines — falling in love with, and later marrying, her sister’s rapist, Kane Phillips (Sam Atwell). Kirsty and her twin sister Jade (Kate Garven) — who looked nothing alike — also had a telepathic connection that led Kirsty to Jade’s rescue when she was trapped in a landslide. However, several years later their parents Rhys and Shelley got the shock of their lives — there was a mix-up at the hospital and it turned out Kirsty and Jade weren't twins at all and that Kirsty actually had an identical twin named Laura.

Tempany Deckert, Kate Ritchie and Isla Fisher in Home & Away.
Camera IconTempany Deckert, Kate Ritchie and Isla Fisher in Home & Away. Credit: NCA

44 Selina Cook

(Tempany Deckert, 1994-1998)

A teen tearaway, Selina Cook sported thick eyeliner, tartan shirts and Doc Martens. Irene saw a lot of herself in Selina and took her under her wing. Over the years Selina endured about everything you could in a TV drama — she was sexually assaulted, had a near-death experience, was stalked, fell pregnant, miscarried, and had an affair with her teacher Steven Matheson (one of Pippa and Tom’s original foster children, played by Adam Willits). Eventually she married Steven and they moved overseas.

45 Tori Morgan

(Penny McNamee, 2016-present)

An overachiever in almost every way, Tori has been through a fair amount of tragedy. A single mother and successful doctor who runs the ED at the local hospital, she has been involved in a plane crash and had a baby via IVF with Robbo (Jake Ryan). Recently she was jilted at the altar by Christian Green (Ditch Davey), but took him back because the options are somewhat limited in Summer Bay.

Casey (Lincoln Younes), Daryl ‘Brax’ (Steve Peacock) and Heath (Dan Ewing) are the Braxton Brothers/River Boys in Home and Away.
Camera IconCasey (Lincoln Younes), Daryl ‘Brax’ (Steve Peacock) and Heath (Dan Ewing) are the Braxton Brothers/River Boys in Home and Away. Credit: Supplied

46 Heath Braxton

(Dan Ewing, 2011-2014, 2016-2017, 2021)

Like many newcomers to the Bay, Heath (Dan Ewing) was a very bad boy. But he turned that around to become one of the more loveable characters. A member of the River Boys, he was no stranger to scuffles with the law but he softened and married Bianca Scott (Lisa Gormley), but not before she punched him in the head on their wedding day after finding out he cheated on her. He made a surprise return in 2021 for one night only to scare off a rival gang.

Lukas Radovich.
Camera IconLukas Radovich. Credit: NCA

47 Ryder Jackson

(Lukas Radovich, 2017-present)

Confident, cocky and cheeky, Ryder arrived in Summer Bay as most teens do, with huge chips on both of his shoulders. A troubled kid with lots of misguided anger, he was revealed to be Alf’s grandson. Ryder’s most significant storyline revolved around his best mate acting on feelings towards him that led to a kiss. It was the first gay storyline in nine years, and while Ryder did not reciprocate Ty’s (Darius Williams) feelings, he supported his friend’s sexuality.

48 Rebecca Fisher

(Belinda Emmett, 1996-1999)

This character was played by two other people — one of whom was Frayed star Jane Hall — before Belinda Emmett made it her own. Rebecca was Donald Fisher’s daughter — she eventually took over the caravan park with hubby Travis after Pippa left the Bay. Emmett left the show in 1999 after she was diagnosed with breast cancer — she sadly died in 2006.

49 Colleen Smart

(Lyn Collingwood, 1988-1989, 1997, 1999-2013)

Summer Bay’s busybody, Colleen couldn’t keep her nose out of other people’s business. Colleen’s peers were Alf Stewart and his sisters Morag and Celia — she later found out they were her half- siblings. Forever unintentionally causing trouble, Colleen’s biggest faux pas was when she burnt down Ailsa’s beloved dinner. Leah took the blame.

50 Travis Nash

(Nic Testoni, 1995-1999)

Travis was Rebecca’s other half, and, last we heard, he and Bec were living happily in Canada. It’s been said in passing they now have a grown-up son. So stay tuned — he’s bound to pop up one day. Likely with really great hair, just like both his parents.

The 1988 cast of Home and Away.
Camera IconThe 1988 cast of Home and Away. Credit: Supplied/Seven