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Colleen Smart

From Alfawiki
Colleen Smart
OccupationFictional character
Known forHome and Away

Colleen Smart (also known as Stewart) is a fictional persona featured in the Australian soap opera Home and Away, which airs on the Channel Seven. Portrayed by Lyn Collingwood, she made her first appearance on 7 March 1988 as a recurring figure introduced by producer Alan Bateman. Initially cast to provide comic relief and act as the local busybody, Colleen made a brief comeback in 1997 before becoming a regular cast member from 23 September 1999 until May 2012. Recognized as the show's quintessential "local gossip," many narratives centered on her protective nature toward her son Lance Smart. Collingwood frequently contributed story ideas for the character. She exited the series in January 2012, with her final departure on 23 May, followed by a short return from 27 November 2012 until her ultimate exit on 24 January 2013.

Creation and casting

Colleen was initially introduced as a recurring character between 1988 and 1989, primarily serving as comic relief through her role as the town busybody. Collingwood returned to portray her again in 1999, maintaining the role until 2012. In 2006, she expressed her readiness to continue with the show for as long as possible.

In May 2012, it was revealed that Collingwood had departed from Home and Away. Her final scenes had been filmed several months prior; co-star Luke Mitchell described her exit as "very sad," highlighting her status as a beloved character. Collingwood explained that she wanted to explore other interests and acknowledged that advancing age and memory challenges influenced her decision. She also spoke warmly of colleagues like Ada Nicodemou and Lynne McGranger. Collingwood made a brief return to the series on 27 November 2012.

Character development

The official website of the show portrays Colleen as the town’s gossip, quick to judge others but ultimately possessing a kind heart. Her claim to fame includes winning the "Miss Groper Pageant." Colleen is characterized by her bossy demeanor and tendency to be overbearing toward those she cares about, especially her son Lance Smart (played by Peter Vroom), whom she adores. She also acts as a primary source of information about all events occurring in Summer Bay. Collingwood values Colleen’s imperious and somewhat pretentious traits.

According to soap opera platform Holy Soap, Colleen is known as the local gossip who frequently makes social blunders. In an interview with Digital Spy, Collingwood mentioned sharing certain qualities with Colleen, such as their Irish heritage and traditional outlook, adding that "everyone's a gossip to some degree." Regarding any romantic storylines for Colleen, Collingwood confirmed that none were planned.

Collingwood often suggests unusual storylines for Colleen to the writers. For example, in 2006 she proposed a health-focused plot involving tai chi sessions on the beach alongside her bowling club friends; however, this was only briefly incorporated into the storyline. She also recommended an internet dating arc culminating in an awkward encounter with Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher).

Backstory

Colleen’s origins trace back to Summer Bay where she was born from an affair between local businessman Gordon Stewart and Mavis Hickey. She grew up believing Merv Hickey was her father, despite his abusive behavior toward both herself and Mavis. Colleen longed for the stability exemplified by the Stewart family, something she felt was missing from her own upbringing. At fifteen, she became pregnant and gave birth to daughter Maureen, whom she subsequently placed for adoption. Later, she married Lester Smart and had a son named Lance.

1988–1989

Colleen makes her initial appearance at the general store, quickly establishing a friendship with Celia Stewart (Fiona Spence). She unintentionally discloses to Pippa Fletcher (Vanessa Downing) that Carly Morris (Sharyn Hodgson) was sexually assaulted, which creates conflict. After Lance wins a $500,000AUS lottery prize and gives part of the money to his father Les (Kevin Golsby), who subsequently leaves Colleen for another woman, she moves into Lance’s mobile home.

Colleen enters into a rivalry with Morag Bellingham (Cornelia Frances) and often directs insults at Roo Stewart (Justine Clarke). Under the influence of Floss McPhee (Sheila Kennelly), she becomes convinced that being with Donald Fisher (Norman Coburn) is not right for her. Lance and Martin Dibble try to discredit Donald by making him seem like an alcoholic, but their scheme fails. Eventually, Colleen and Donald develop a friendly relationship.

She becomes friends with Lance’s girlfriend Marilyn Chambers (Emily Symons) but spreads rumors about Roo having an affair with Frank Morgan (Alex Papps), hinting at Frank’s future departure from his wife Bobby to be with Roo. After Lance ends his relationship with Marilyn, Marilyn blames Colleen’s interference, prompting Colleen to leave town for Cairns.

1997–2013

Colleen briefly returns in 1997 to babysit Rachel McGregor and encourages Selina Roberts (Tempany Deckert) to rebuild ties with her mother. Staying in Lance’s old mobile home at the caravan park, she supports Marilyn and Donald while their child is ill overseas. With assistance from Justine Welles (Bree Desborough), she spearheads efforts to prevent redevelopment of the caravan park and works at the Diner, forming a close bond with Leah Poulos (Ada Nicodemou). She also helps Sally Fletcher (Kate Richie) uncover fiancé Kieran Fletcher’s unfaithfulness.

Lance returns, but Colleen clashes with his new wife Debbie Smart. Les (now portrayed by Rob Steele) reappears; they rekindle their romance but Les flees again after stealing Colleen’s savings. Despite Debbie’s objections, Colleen cares for her granddaughter Maggie; Leah mediates so they eventually reconcile.

After accidentally causing a chip-pan fire that destroys the Diner, Leah initially accepts blame until Colleen admits responsibility out of guilt. She confesses having given up a child for adoption; later her daughter Maureen arrives, initially met with suspicion but eventually bonding before deciding to keep her distance. When Josh West tries to remove her mobile home, Colleen temporarily leaves town.

Dating Norman Shadbolt (David Whitford), they become engaged but he later withdraws. Colleen competes against Madge Wilkins for a historian position and supports Sally following Flynn Saunders’ death while keeping his illness secret. Discovering through her mother’s affair that she has family ties to the Stewarts causes tension, especially with Morag Bellingham. She initially opposes Martha MacKenzie’s relationship with Hugo Austin but later reconciles.

Colleen survives a firebombing at the Diner and offers support to Leah afterward. Initially resentful of Marilyn’s return, she softens upon learning about Marilyn’s cancer diagnosis. When targeted by Penn Graham’s campaign against Summer Bay residents, she is falsely accused of theft and arrested but later cleared with assistance from Charlie Buckton.

Serving as Matron of Honour at Gina Austin and John Palmer’s wedding, Colleen confronts the River Boys when Brodie Upton threatens her; after he steals her caravan while she is inside, Morag helps her overcome anxiety. Her relationship with Keith Irwin ends when he is arrested for marijuana possession.

After gossiping about Reverend Elijah Johnson’s relationship, Colleen is struck by lightning; believing this is divine retribution, she later campaigns to save the local shelter in hopes of encouraging Elijah’s return.

Trapped in school toilets during a severe storm, Colleen worries about Lance relocating to Las Vegas and gives him her savings to join him. Friends Marilyn, Roo, Leah, and Irene contribute funds to help her visit him. When Jett James breaks into her caravan destroying her Toby Jugs collection, Marilyn discovers a winning lottery ticket for Colleen and advises careful spending. Lance invites her to move permanently to Las Vegas; Marilyn and Roo host a farewell party before she departs.

Colleen returns for Roo's wedding to Harvey Ryan (Marcus Graham) and assists during Harvey's bout with chicken pox. She later leaves again when Alf grows weary of hosting his sisters.

Reception

Collingwood earned a nomination for "Funniest Performance" at the 2007 Inside Soap Awards due to her depiction of Colleen. Holy Soap singled out a standout scene where Colleen unsuccessfully tried to charm Summer Bay icon Don Fisher. Sarah Ellis from Inside Soap dubbed Colleen the "undisputed tittle-tattle queen," while the Press Association described her as an "elderly busy-body." Jackie Brygel of the Herald Sun characterized Colleen as "frighteningly cheery," further emphasizing her boundless "painfulness and irritating nature."

In a humorous nod, actor Sacha Baron Cohen, adopting his Borat persona, expressed fondness for Australian television and named Colleen Smart as his preferred character, joking about pursuing a romantic relationship with her. The Sydney Morning Herald recognized Colleen as one of the show's three enduring "legacy characters," alongside Alf and Irene. Additionally, Collingwood's portrayal has been commended for revealing emotional complexity, especially in plots centered on Colleen’s struggle with gambling addiction.

In November 2021, three reviewers from The West Australian placed Colleen at number 49 in their list of "Top 50 heroes we love and villains we hate" from Home and Away. They portrayed her as Summer Bay’s meddlesome busybody who frequently interfered in others’ lives. Among her notable storylines was the discovery that Alf Stewart and his sisters were her half-siblings, and her most significant blunder involved unintentionally setting fire to Ailsa's cherished dinner—a mishap for which Leah assumed responsibility.

External links

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