Floss McPhee
Floss McPhee | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Psychic, former carnival performer |
| Years active | 1988–1989, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2008 (guest appearances) |
| Known for | Character on Australian soap opera Home and Away |
Floss McPhee is a character from the Australian soap Home and Away, portrayed by Sheila Kennelly. She first appeared in the series premiere on 17 January 1988 and departed in 1989 alongside Frank Lloyd, who played her spouse, Neville McPhee. Floss made several guest appearances in 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2008 during significant plot developments.
Casting
Sheila Kennelly accepted the role of Floss after having to forgo a minor part in the 1988 movie Evil Angels, due to conflicting schedules with filming Home and Away. At that period, Kennelly was managing a farm, often starting her day before sunrise despite overnight responsibilities for livestock.
Characterisation
Floss is characterized as an inherently sociable and kind-hearted individual. Known within Summer Bay as the local psychic and a former carnival performer, she and her husband Neville represent retired caravan park residents. Their marriage is depicted through affectionate yet frequent quarrels, commonly about finances, reflecting their long-standing bond. Their history includes years spent traveling with the carnival.
The show's producers highlighted that beneath their constant disputes lies profound love. Frank Lloyd commended Kennelly’s performance and their on-screen rapport. Nevertheless, Kennelly felt that Floss’s carnival past was underexplored, with more focus placed on younger cast members. After ten months, both actors were informed their contracts would not be renewed as part of a major cast overhaul in 1989. Consequently, Floss and Neville exited by moving to another caravan park.
Returns
Kennelly returned as Floss in 2000 for a guest role at the wedding of Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie) and Kieran Fletcher (Spencer McLaren). In 2002, she reappeared for Summer Bay's fictional sesquicentennial celebration, revealing she continued practicing tarot readings following Neville’s off-screen passing. Unlike other returning characters, Floss played a pivotal part in the storyline involving a boat disaster where the vessel sinks during a town trip. Despite her tarot warnings being ignored, the catastrophe unfolded as foretold.
In 2004, Floss came back leading the Carny theatre travelling circus. Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher) opposed the circus setting up without authorization but was taken aback to see Floss at its helm. Later, Jade Sutherland (Kate Garven) found Floss suffering from pain; Floss confided she was battling a serious illness.
Storylines
Floss and her husband Neville are introduced at the Caravan Park when the Fletcher family arrives. Using an alias and fabricated references, Floss travels to the city to meet her grandson Ben (Justin Rosniak). Initially cold towards her, Ben warms up and accompanies her to Summer Bay to meet his grandfather. After Ben discovers photographs of his father Scott (Peter Ford) with Floss and Neville, he learns Scott had falsely claimed they were deceased. Scott later arrives in Summer Bay to take Ben back, causing friction and police involvement over accusations against Scott. Eventually, Scott orders Floss and Neville to leave; they comply after Ben threatens to run away.
Following a tarot reading predicting that Bobby Simpson (Nicolle Dickson) would cause a death in the Fletcher family, Floss becomes fixated on this prophecy. She recalls a license plate linked to Frank Morgan's (Alex Papps) car accident dreams. After Bobby damages Frank’s car, Tom Fletcher (Roger Oakley) anonymously replaces it with another vehicle bearing a similar plate number. Frank experiences an accident on his wedding day but survives. In early 1989, Floss and Neville depart Summer Bay to rejoin their former circus life; although they attempt to leave secretly, the Fletchers catch them before they go.
More than ten years later, Floss returns for Sally's wedding and reveals that Neville passed away four years earlier. During Summer Bay's 150th anniversary in 2002, Floss foresees the Mirgini disaster after warning Shelley Sutherland (Paula Forrest) against wearing red. Shelley and her daughter Kirsty (Christie Hayes) become lost at sea but are eventually rescued; following this event, Floss leaves once again.
In 2004, Floss reappears with the travelling circus, disclosing she believes she has cancer and seeks assistance from Sally and her husband Flynn Saunders (Joel McIlroy) regarding euthanasia. Later updates reveal she is not terminally ill. Four years afterward, Floss has a vision of Aden Jefferies (Todd Lasance) in peril; Aden is subsequently found trapped in the collapsing Beachside Diner and hospitalized. She attends Sally's tribute night before departing once more.
Reception
Kennelly received a letter from a fan in Queensland who mentioned living on a farm in the Hunter Region and arriving within a week. Lucy Clark of the Sydney Morning Herald described Floss and her husband Neville as "an amusing old couple," while Robin Oliver, a fellow critic, referred to them as "a pair of endearing tricksters." Jason Herbison from All About Soap remembered Floss as a figure who "shared a caravan with her husband Neville."