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Alf Stewart

From Alfawiki
Alf Stewart
Born
Alfred James Stewart

Summer Bay (fictional)
Other namesAlf
Occupation(s)Bartender, shopkeeper, fisherman
Years active1988–present (in Home and Away)
Known forCharacter on Home and Away; longest continuous portrayal of a character in an Australian television serial (Guinness World Record)
Notable workHome and Away

Alfred James "Alf" Stewart is a character created for the Australian soap Home and Away, played by Ray Meagher. Alf was among the original eighteen characters introduced in the series premiere on 17 January 1988. Although Meagher initially auditioned for the part of Tom Fletcher, he was cast as Alf and remains the only original actor still appearing as of 2017. He holds a Guinness World Record for the longest continuous portrayal of a character in an Australian television serial. For his performance, Meagher earned the Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television in 2010.

Casting

After several supporting roles, Meagher secured his place as one of eight senior actors in the initial cast. Though considered for Tom Fletcher, producers ultimately chose him to play Alf. His uninterrupted tenure since 1988 earned him a Guinness World Record, and by 2011 he was the sole remaining original cast member. Younger versions of Alf have been portrayed by Max Buckley and Robert Jago.

In April 2010, Meagher temporarily left to star in the West End production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, returning to Home and Away in early 2011. Despite renewing his contract in 2012, he emphasized his dedication to the show due to his enjoyment of the role. His contract also provides him with more vacation time than other actors.

By February 2013, he had agreed to a five-year contract that included an option to exit with six months' notice. In September 2018, Meagher reprised his role in Priscilla Queen of the Desert for a six-week stint after previously declining due to filming obligations with Home and Away. At that point, he had signed another three-year deal with the series.

On 17 January 2023, coinciding with the program's 35th anniversary, Meagher committed to a new five-year contract. He attributed his longevity on the show to its loyal production team and long-standing cast members, noting that while his agreement allows for reduced working weeks, it does not indicate retirement.

Development

Alf has been characterized as a "good-natured rogue with a finger in every pie." Meagher has observed that although some perceive Alf as cantankerous, he considers him an "upstanding community member" who, despite occasional grumpiness, is fundamentally kind-hearted.

Alf demonstrates significant entrepreneurial spirit; alongside serving on the Surf Club Committee, he operates as a bartender, owns a bait shop, and enjoys recreational fishing. Meagher often modifies lines to better reflect Alf’s distinctive manner of speaking.

His initial romantic storyline involved Ailsa Hogan (Judy Nunn), whom he wed early in the series. Heavy rainfall disrupted filming during their wedding scenes, nearly causing Nunn to miss them.

Meagher regards Alf's brain tumour diagnosis as one of his most impactful storylines, which required filming scenes twice—once with Nunn and once without—making it particularly emotional.

The relationship between Alf and his sister Morag Bellingham (Cornelia Frances) has been marked by frequent conflict and antagonism. Over time, Morag softens following mutual understanding. Frances remarked that beneath their disputes, Morag deeply cares for Alf and enjoys their "wonderful fights."

Alf's life undergoes change upon reconnecting with teenage love interest Viv Standish (Maggie Kirkpatrick), who reveals she bore their son Owen and gave him up for adoption. Later, Alf learns Owen died after being assaulted by his grandson Eric "Ric" Dalby (Mark Furze). At Owen’s funeral, Alf contemplates approaching Eric but follows Morag’s advice to hold back. Meagher explained that Alf feels responsible for Eric due to Owen’s troubled history and views Eric as an opportunity to redeem himself after previous paternal shortcomings.

Backstory

Raised in Summer Bay with strong business acumen inherited from his father Gordon and Scottish grandfather Angus, Alf owned multiple enterprises by age thirty, including the Summer Bay Liquor Store, Caravan Park, boat hire service, and yacht brokerage. He married Martha Baldivis locally; they lived at Summer Bay House within the Caravan Park and raised their daughter Ruth. Martha drowned in 1985, leaving Alf struggling to manage both home and business until selling them to the Fletcher family. Subsequently, he began dating Ailsa despite Ruth’s objections.

1988–

Alf first appeared selling the Summer Bay Caravan Park to Tom and Pippa Fletcher after being unable to cope following Martha’s death. He married Ailsa in 1988 despite her criminal past and Ruth’s disapproval. They briefly separated but reunited, having a son named Duncan in 1989. Later revelations included a daughter from an earlier relationship, Quinn Jackson, who rejected him; Ailsa also disclosed another child conceived after she was raped—Shauna Bradley.

Ailsa died suddenly from heart disease in 2001. Two years later, Alf experienced a nervous breakdown and was diagnosed with a brain tumour after hallucinations involving her occurred. In 2004, he reconnected with terminally ill former lover Viv Standish and discovered local troublemaker Eric Dalby was his grandson; they eventually bonded. The following year Roo introduced Alf to Martha—the daughter she had given up for adoption.

In 2008, Alf was distressed when close friend Sally Fletcher left Summer Bay; he later assisted fundraising efforts for her daughter's medical care during their return five years later.

In 2010, Alf and associates were stalked by Penn Graham—the son of a woman with whom Alf had an affair between marriages.

During a visit to Canberra's war memorial with students indifferent towards ANZAC Day observances, Alf experienced flashbacks from his Vietnam War service and overnight trench experience leading to a PTSD diagnosis after collapsing. Initially resistant to treatment, he ultimately pursued therapy.

In popular culture

Alf is renowned for employing Australian colloquialisms such as "flamin galah", "stone the flamin' crows", and "strike me roan." By 2014 it was observed that such slang was waning across Australia but remained prevalent on television.

In 2010, artist "Mr Doodleburger" created an online parody video depicting a darker alternate version of Alf using original footage paired with new voiceovers containing controversial themes that garnered widespread attention. The parody amassed over 5 million views and cultivated a cult following. A fan page on Facebook emerged but faced criticism from media outlets accusing it of endorsing pro-rape messages; however, others clarified it referenced only the parody content rather than promoting such views.

Reception

Ray Meagher’s portrayal has earned numerous accolades including a nomination for Most Popular Actor at the 2008 Digital Spy Soap Awards. He won both the Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television in 2010 and Most Popular Actor at the Logies in 2018—the same year he received Best Daytime Star at Inside Soap Awards—and continued receiving nominations through 2023.

An episode featuring Alf's breakdown following an army comrade's suicide won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Episode in a Television Drama Serial in 1998; another episode imagining Summer Bay without Alf received the Australian Writers' Guild Award for Best Episode in a Television Serial in 2003.

Critics have acknowledged Alf as an iconic figure within Australian television history. Robin Oliver from The Sydney Morning Herald praised the partnership between Alf and Ailsa; Holy Soap described him as a "miserable but lovable legend," highlighting his memorable episode inspired by It's A Wonderful Life. The Hampshire culture website dubbed him a "legendary misery-guts," known for distinctively Aussie phrases like "flamin' mongrel."

Yahoo!7 labeled Alf "a TV icon" due to catchphrases like "flamin'" and "strewth." Virgin Media noted his stereotypical Australian slang usage while calling him Summer Bay’s "godfather," gruff yet warm-hearted. Academics Geoff Mayer, Brian McFlarne, and Ina Bertrand identified Meagher’s depiction as epitomizing rugged Australian archetypes and regarded Alf as widely popular.

In November 2021, three critics from The West Australian ranked Alf first among “Top 50 heroes we love and villains we hate” from Home and Away, declaring him possibly Australia's most iconic TV character. They highlighted Meagher’s Guinness World Record status alongside Alf’s enduring appeal stemming from his straightforward demeanor and memorable expressions.

At year-end 2023, TV Week readers voted Alf Greatest Australian TV Character citing over thirty years onscreen presence, gruff personality balanced by colorful sayings like “Strewth!” and “Ya flamin’ galah,” plus his role as trusted advisor within Summer Bay. His popularity is further reflected by having a dedicated Madame Tussauds wax figure commemorating his cultural significance.

External links

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