Doreen Cassidy

Neighbours (2004 characters)

Industry	Television
Founded	2004
Parent	Neighbours

Svetlanka Ristic

Svetlanka Ristic, brought to life by Deidre Rubenstein, is the authoritative mother of Liljana Bishop and proprietor of a vineyard. Her debut occurred on 13 February 2004. Svetlanka travels to Melbourne to visit her daughter’s household, where she uncovers financial difficulties alongside Serena’s precarious modelling efforts aimed at generating income. She tries to emotionally influence Liljana and extends financial assistance, which sparks conflict within the family. Svetlanka discloses Liljana’s previous pregnancy and later returns with an offer of $100,000, intensifying the rift between Liljana and David Bishop. She expresses disapproval of Serena’s involvement with her grandson Luka Dokich, asserting he is not adopted. When Liljana requires a liver transplant, Svetlanka reveals that Luka is her biological son and a compatible donor. Despite attempts at mending their relationship, Liljana refuses reconciliation, leading Svetlanka to depart for Perth. After the tragic plane crash claiming the lives of David, Liljana, and Serena, Svetlanka is unable to attend their funeral due to overwhelming grief.

Gus Cleary

Gus Cleary, portrayed by Ben Barrack, made his first appearance on 17 February 2004 as a troubled acquaintance of Max Hoyland. Coming from an affluent background, Gus grapples with mental health challenges including schizophrenia, a condition he studied extensively to portray accurately. Following his dismissal from his father’s oil rig position due to negligence, Gus arrives in Erinsborough and begins manipulating the Hoyland family while employed at Lou's Place and dating Izzy Hoyland. His escalating possessiveness and unstable conduct culminate in him sedating Max and creating familial discord. Gus’s deteriorating mental state results in police intervention and hospitalization. He resurfaces during Izzy’s wedding to Karl Kennedy but is ultimately taken away once more. Gus is killed during the Lassiter's fire; Paul Robinson later admits responsibility for his death. He appears in flashbacks in subsequent storylines.

Allan Steiger

Senior Sergeant Allan Steiger, acted by Joe Clements, first appeared on 4 March 2004 as a police sergeant and self-defence trainer. His character's presence expanded with the introduction of his daughter Pepper Steiger and his romantic connection with Janelle Timmins. Allan maintains discipline within the police department, notably clashing with Stuart Parker during training sessions. He spearheads investigations into major events such as the Lassiter's fire and fraud cases involving David Bishop. Allan supports his family through various challenges including Pepper’s engagement and stalking incidents while managing his personal life—being divorced from Christine Rodd before marrying Janelle Timmins. He accepts a position in the Solomon Islands but returns early due to malaria; he proposes to Janelle, and they marry at their farewell celebration before relocating.

Stingray Timmins

Stingray Timmins, portrayed by Ben Nicholas, was introduced on 11 March 2004 as the youngest child of Janelle and Kim Timmins. Nicholas secured this role shortly after auditioning and described joining Neighbours as a significant step in his acting career.

Tom Scully

Tom Scully, played by Andrew Larkins, first appeared on 5 May 2004 as Joe Scully's younger brother and a Catholic priest who becomes romantically involved with Susan Kennedy. Their controversial relationship was a major storyline in 2004, with Tom leaving the priesthood for Susan before they eventually parted ways. Returning in 2007 as Principal of Erinsborough High, Tom rekindles feelings for Susan but ultimately resigns amid tensions involving her husband Karl Kennedy.

Olivia McPherson

Olivia "Mac" McPherson, portrayed by Silvia de Crespigny, was featured from June through September 2004 as a police officer romantically linked to both Jack Scully and Stuart Parker. Olivia faces challenges stemming from corruption influenced by substance abuse and a hectic nightlife, which drives her to orchestrate thefts and betray her fellow officers. Her narrative delves into addiction and the path to redemption; ultimately, she admits her wrongdoings to Stuart, who reports her actions, leading to her departure from the police force.

Lana Crawford

Lana Crawford, played by Bridget Neval, made her first appearance on 31 August 2004 as the first openly lesbian character in Neighbours. Lana is notable for sharing the show’s groundbreaking initial on-screen lesbian kiss with Sky Mangel and is introduced as the cousin of Sindi Watts.

Luka Dokich

Luka Dokich, enacted by Keelan O'Hehir, arrived on 14 September 2004 as the biological son of Liljana Bishop, given up for adoption at birth. Luka comes in search of his birth family and unknowingly forms a romantic connection with his half-sister Serena Bishop before their relationship is uncovered. His storyline addresses themes of identity confusion and hidden family truths; he eventually departs after reconciling with Liljana.

Jeremy Levi

Jeremy Levi, portrayed by Roger Neave, appeared starting 21 September 2004 as a psychiatrist at Erinsborough Hospital. Jeremy provides mental health support to several main characters including Izzy Hoyland, Boyd Hoyland (who is diagnosed with adolescent schizophrenia), Sindi Watts (experiencing paranoid delusions), Stephanie Scully (undergoing mental competency assessment), Paul Robinson (memory recovery), Nicola West (diagnosed with paranoia), Zeke Kinski (in a fugue state), Miranda Parker (mental health crisis intervention), and assists the Kennedy family during surrogacy evaluations.

Lucia Cammeniti

Lucia Cammeniti, portrayed by Maria Mercedes, first appeared on 2 November 2004 as a determined businesswoman overseeing her family’s ventures while her husband Rocco Cammeniti serves time in prison. Lucia exercises authority over her daughters Carmella, Rosetta, and Rosaria’s lives, arranging Rosetta’s marriage plans and opposing Carmella’s relationships to safeguard family interests. She remained part of storylines involving familial loyalty and business affairs through 2007.

Janelle Timmins

Janelle Timmins, played by Nell Feeney, is the head of the Timmins family who debuted on 11 November 2004. She is depicted as a pragmatic country woman with a distinctive "bogan" style and is mother to Dylan, Stingray, Janae, and Bree Timmins.

Others

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Context
23 January 2004–30 July 2007	Stanford Mundy	Michael Quinn	Stanford works as a surgeon at Erinsborough Hospital alongside Karl Kennedy and performs a paternity test confirming no biological connection between Paul Robinson and Oliver Barnes.
4 April	Ryan Swan	Patrick Williams	Ryan visits a local lake with his father John—who had killed Sky Mangel's mother years before—on the opening day of Duck Hunting Season; John has since ceased hunting.
6 April	Sally Jeffries	Isabella Stephenson	Sally is Lisa Jeffries’ younger sister; Gus Cleary performs as a clown at her birthday party but fails to impress attendees.
13 April 2004–14 January 2005	Madeleine Lee	Madison Lu	Madeleine, daughter of Lori Lee and Connor O'Neill, requires ear surgery funded by Connor after Lori leaves Madeleine in his care.
4 June 2004–2 February 2005	Krystal	Estelle Andrewartha	Krystal, working as a personal trainer, encourages Boyd Hoyland to pursue bodybuilding using human growth hormones; Boyd withdraws after recognizing her manipulation.
28 June–5 July	Therese Bray	Susan Turner	Therese is employed at the local Catholic church; she overhears confidential information about Tom Scully and Susan Kennedy before resigning.
28 July 2004–25 February 2005	Caleb Wilson	Joss Kasper	Caleb, son of a wealthy businessman, dates Summer Hoyland but ends their relationship after pressuring her to escalate it.
6, 13 September	Krishneel Nand	Curtis Fernandez	Nina Tucker’s personal assistant who coordinates logistics during her stay on Ramsay Street.
13–14 September 2004, 7 December 2021–present	Rhonda Del Rubio	Rebekah Robertson	Lawyer representing Karl Kennedy during divorce proceedings; later offers marriage counseling for Paul Robinson and Terese Willis along with therapy for other main characters.
15 September–19 October	Travis Dean	Adrian Foley	Travis causes tension with Boyd Hoyland leading to arson incidents and legal disputes resolved with assistance from Toadfish Rebecchi.
27 September–30 November	Brendan Bond	Michael Wahr	Brendan dates Lana Crawford but reacts negatively upon learning she is attracted to women.
7 October	Buffy Only	Laura Gordon	Editor of the underground magazine Leichen, Buffy briefly dates Lana Crawford before they part ways.
17–29 November	Nick Sullivan	Angus Grant	Lori Lee's partner who plans to relocate to Adelaide; their relationship ends following conflict with Connor O'Neill.
24 November 2004–1 February 2005	Doreen Cassidy	null Anne Phelan	Sister of Charlie Cassidy; supports family during Charlie's final moments and encourages reconciliation.
1 December 2004–12 January 2005	'Georgina Harris'	null Adrienne Smith	Georgina develops a friendship with Lana Crawford at the school formal before Lana departs for Canada.
'10 December 2004–1 February 2005'	'Michael Cassidy'	null David Paterson	Son of Charlie Cassidy; returns seeking to mend family tensions after his father’s passing.

External links

• Full cast and characters on the Internet Movie Database