Leanne Dunn

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart was initially introduced between 25 January and 13 February 1989, portrayed by Alison Mulvaney. Presented as the first wife of Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher) through flashback sequences, the character was brought back on 27 March 2018 with Belinda Giblin, a former cast member, taking over the role. It is said that Meagher recommended Giblin for the part, describing her as "the ideal choice." Martha holds the distinction of having the longest interval between appearances on Home and Away.

Her return coincided with the show's 30th anniversary, revealing that Martha had survived a sailing accident in 1985, contrary to earlier assumptions that she had drowned. Alf explains to their daughter Roo Stewart that Martha's disappearance stemmed from emotional distress rather than death. Upon her arrival in Summer Bay, Martha's reunion with Alf and Roo unfolds with complexity. Her storyline introduces a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD), shedding light on her previous absence and struggles with anxiety.

Martha was married to Alf Stewart and is the mother of their daughter, Ruth "Roo" Stewart. Initially featured through diary entries and flashbacks, her comeback is marked by Roo’s efforts to reconnect. Martha reveals that her departure was driven by mental health challenges and feelings of guilt but affirms her love for her family. Despite the difficulties posed by her BPD, she and Alf work towards rebuilding their relationship.

After several visits, Martha decides to settle back in Summer Bay and accepts Alf’s marriage proposal after some hesitation. They remarry and divide their time between homes in Summer Bay and Merimbula—where Martha manages her condition—occasionally causing friction. The couple also navigates family dynamics with the introduction of Martha’s son Kieran Baldivis, whom she had kept hidden due to fears of losing Alf and Roo.

Primarily residing in Merimbula, Martha is frequently visited by Alf as they strive to balance their personal needs with family responsibilities within the ongoing storyline.

Vicki Baxter

Vicki Baxter, played by Nana Coburn, made her debut on 22 February 1989. Coburn’s father, Norman Coburn, also appeared on the show as Donald Fisher, the headmaster. David Brown from TV Week characterized Vicki as "Summer Bay's resident troublemaker." Although Coburn initially disliked portraying a character who was unpopular, she grew to appreciate the role. She appeared semi-regularly before filming her final scenes in June 1990, valuing the experience particularly for memorable moments such as a fight scene with Dannii Minogue.

Within Steven Matheson’s class at Summer Bay High, Vicki serves as an antagonist. She bullies classmates including Carly Morris and Viv Newton and frequently has conflicts with Emma Jackson. After Grant Mitchell becomes a teacher, Vicki falsely accuses him of sexual misconduct following his rejection of her advances, which results in his suspension. Emma compels Vicki to admit the truth, leading to Grant’s reinstatement. Subsequently, Vicki frames Emma for stealing exam papers causing Emma’s expulsion. Steven and Paul Jensen team up with Vicki’s cousin Anna to uncover her manipulations. Faced with undeniable proof, Vicki is expelled from school.

Rebecca Fisher

Rebecca Fisher, portrayed by Jane Hall, made her debut on 3 April 1989 as the daughter of school headmaster Donald Fisher. During her stay in Summer Bay, she becomes romantically linked with Steven Matheson. The producers valued the on-screen rapport between Hall and Adam Willits, leading to considerations for occasional character returns. In 1994, the role was temporarily recast with Danielle Carter for a seven-week period. Later, in 1996, Belinda Emmett assumed the role, garnering several Logie Award nominations including Most Popular New Talent (1997), Most Popular Actress (1998 and 1999), and the prestigious Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television.

Marilyn Chambers

Marilyn Chambers, enacted by Emily Symons, first appeared on 18 May 1989. Symons departed the series in 1992 but returned to the role between 1995 and 1999. Initially, Dannii Minogue auditioned for Marilyn but was instead cast as Emma Jackson, while Symons took on Marilyn's part. According to Holy Soap, Marilyn is characterized as a "bubbly" and somewhat "air-headed blonde beautician."

Duncan Stewart

Duncan Stewart entered the series on 14 June 1989, with Brendan McKensy portraying the character. McKensy's performance earned him a nomination for Best Young Actor at the 1999 Inside Soap Awards.

Adam Cameron

Adam Cameron, played by Mat Stevenson, was introduced on 28 June 1989. Prior to this, Stevenson had a guest role on rival soap Neighbours as Skinner, a petty criminal. He relocated from Melbourne to Sydney to take on this role and exited the show in 1994. Stevenson described Adam as somewhat lazy but occasionally kind-hearted, preferring relaxation over responsibility. An Inside Soap columnist referred to Adam as a "former joker" and "easy-going." Stevenson returned briefly in 1999 and contemplated a full-time comeback due to his enjoyment of the character.

Viv Newton

Viv Newton, portrayed by Mouche Phillips, made her first appearance on 5 July 1989 and left on 25 May 1990. Phillips began filming soon after Justine Clarke's departure from the show. On set, she was known for staying occupied and was often hard to find during shooting.

Emma Jackson

Emma Jackson, brought to life by Dannii Minogue, appeared from 22 September 1989 until 22 August 1990. Minogue originally auditioned for the role of Marilyn Chambers but was cast as Emma instead. After one year, she left to focus on her music career. Although rumors suggested a return for the show's 20th anniversary in 2008, she did not reappear. Minogue received a nomination for "Most Popular Actress on Australian Television" at the 1989 Logie Award. Holy Soap listed her among Home and Away's "Sexiest girls ever."

Others

26 October–15 November||Rory Heywood || Gregor Jordan || Visitor searching under false pretenses for Fletcher family members; irritates locals before being killed by shark—storyline noted as favorite by Judy Nunn.

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Details
25 January	Les Palmer	Graham Lancaster	Les is Celia Stewart’s deceased fiancé who appears in flashbacks set in 1970 when Bobby Simpson reads Martha Stewart's diary. The couple plans an engagement party before Les is killed during the Vietnam War.
26 January–16 March	Nicholas Walsh	Robert Taylor	Nicholas visits Stacey Macklin announcing their engagement but is arrested for indecent exposure following a swimming incident. He plots to acquire the caravan park by framing Roo Stewart with poison pen letters and assaults Stacey before being stopped by Tom Fletcher.
1 February–5 September	Kim Patterson	Jacqui Townsend	Kim, Alison Patterson's younger sister, attends Summer Bay Primary School and discovers Morag Bellingham’s manuscript. She disputes local folklore with Sally Fletcher.
13 February–20 March	Richard Bellingham	John Bonney	Husband of Morag Bellingham for two decades; they separate after Morag’s maternity secret comes to light. He warns Roo Stewart against Morag before departing.
20 February–21 November	James Donahue	Richard Morgan	Journalist from The Daily Star investigating Morag's secret; manipulates Celia Stewart for information and convinces Lance Smart to lie about a shark sighting.
22 February–5 April	Leanne Dunn	Kylie Foster	Dates Martin Dibble; seeks etiquette lessons from Celia Stewart; illiterate but learns reading from Matt Wilson; after conflict involving ex-boyfriend Meat Axe, leaves with him, breaking Martin's heart.
1 March–12 November	Enid	Jan Oxenbould	Friend of Celia Stewart attending a town meeting about a killer shark near the beach.
8 March	Nola Dibble	Denise Roberts	Martin Dibble's mother who appears when he brings Leanne Dunn home for dinner.
8 March	Scott Dibble	Uncredited	Martin Dibble’s brother present at family dinner.
8 March	Errol Dibble	Uncredited	Another brother of Martin Dibble attending family gathering.
21 March–24 May	Nigel Taggart	Gary Down	Morag Bellingham’s visually impaired assistant and mediator; develops unreciprocated feelings for Celia Stewart before resigning with Ailsa Stewart’s assistance.
28 March	Ross Maybury	John Banas	Host of 'The World Tonight' talk show featuring Donald Fisher and Bobby Simpson discussing Morag’s maternity revelation.
4–5 April	Meat Axe	Joseph Dicker	Leanne Dunn’s ex-boyfriend who fights Martin Dibble over her affection but departs with Leanne after intervention.
18 April–17 August 1989, 8 September–23 October 1995	Brian "Dodge" Forbes	Kelly Dingwall	Dodge schemes for free food and steals money before firebombing a store causing Philip Matheson's death. Fostered by Fletchers later; bullies Sally Fletcher; frames Simon Yates for arson; confesses then imprisoned. Paroled in 1995; murders Murdoch Roberts; frames Steven Matheson; kidnaps Kelly Watson; disappears after cliff fight.
20 April–16 May	Simon Yates	Christopher Saunders	Ex-convict working at Bayside diner dating Roo Stewart despite warnings; harassed by Steven Matheson; framed for arson but later promises Roo he will repay Alf Stewart.
2–9 May	Andrew Foley Senior	Alan Tobin	Estranged father of Andrew Foley seeking reconciliation before dying; leaves Andrew inheritance and apology letter.
10 May 1989 – 22 February 1990	Howard West	Richard Rowe	Department of Childcare Services official placing Dodge Forbes with Fletchers; investigates John Newton’s abuse of his daughters; revokes Donald Fisher’s guardianship of Viv Newton during murder charges but reinstates it after acquittal.
11 May	Peter Braithwaite	Ron Blanchard	Insurance assessor suspicious of Celia Stewart’s $500,000 claim following store fire.
18–29 May	Kyoko Sakamoto	Yuka Mitani	Interpreter assisting Japanese clients visiting Macklin family business.
2–8 June	Peter Bedford	Bevan Wilson	Macklin investor initially skeptical of Frank Morgan but persuaded to sign contract after meeting Martin Dibble.
2 June	Claire Bedford	Linda Anning	Wife of Peter Bedford attending dinner with Fletcher family.
8 June–18 July	Flynn	Mark McCann	Labourer at Macklin corporation involved in strike resolved through Roo Stewart’s negotiation; helps rescue Marilyn Chambers during an incident.
13 June	Jay Everett	Andrew Doyle	Motivational speaker briefly managing Macklin development office; energizes Martin Dibble but fails to inspire Roo Stewart amid crisis.
6 July–13 September	Nina Olivera	Raquel Suarstzman	Friend of Stacey Macklin forming music group Image with Lance Smart, Martin Dibble, and Marilyn Chambers; after control disputes, secures job in Los Angeles inviting Stacey to join her.
11 July	Beulah	Robyn Gurney	Homeless woman assisting Viv Newton during her period living rough.
19 July	Sgt. Col Baker	Simon Westaway	Police officer questioning Dodge Forbes about stolen car accident; Steven Matheson takes blame instead.
21 July–1 August	John Newton	John Gregg	Reverend and abusive father of Viv and Tammy Newton; imprisons Viv until rescued by Steven Matheson and Bobby Simpson; custody battles follow leading to his relinquishment after child services intervention.
27 July 1989 – 25 May 1990	Tammy Newton	Katy Edwards	Younger sister of Viv Newton used by their father as leverage over Viv; runs away due to abuse; reunites with mother Angela Newton; leaves Summer Bay for Queensland starting anew.
9 August 1989 – 16 April 1990	Rex Wilson	Barry Donnelly	Matt Wilson’s uncle serving on local council who hires Matt as beach inspector and shuts down Andrew Foley’s advice centre; resigns following heart attack.
9 August	Freddie Hudson	Mark Arbib	Student visiting Andrew Foley's Youth advice centre at Bayside diner.
18–31 August	Ross Keating	James Gleeson	Sally Keating’s estranged uncle attempting custody before Sally chooses to remain with Fletchers; leaves Summer Bay with wife Louise.
23–31 August	Louise Keating	Felicity Soper	Wife of Ross Keating and Sally Fletcher’s aunt who supports custody attempt but accepts Sally staying with Fletchers due to infertility issues.
29 August 1989, 23 March 1990	Len Baxter	Uncredited Damian Cudmore	Father of Vicki Baxter demanding removal of teacher Grant Mitchell after sexual molestation allegations later disproved.
29 August–10 November	Danny Farnsworth	Justin Connor	Son of Gordon Farnsworth seeking revenge against Morag Bellingham for his father's imprisonment and suicide; works undercover as Morag's assistant while hiding identity; holds her hostage during psychotic episode but releases her; flees town after Bobby Simpson rejects plea to leave together.
30 August 1989 – 8 July 1996	Chris Hale	John Meillon Jr.	Police constable involved in multiple investigations including arresting Shane Parrish for theft and probing Sally Fletcher's disappearance; suspended following hit-and-run causing Shane Parrish's death.
11 September	Doctor Ellis	Marilyn Allen	Hospital physician arranging Tom Fletcher’s transfer following heart attack.
11 September	Doctor Williamson	David Whitford	City doctor diagnosing Tom Fletcher with intracerebral hematoma.
18–21 September	Ian McTavish	Noel Trevarthen	Scottish explorer searching for the mythical "Summer Bay Bunyip"; departs after discovering it was a hoax involving Martin Dibble disguised in costume.
20 September	Samantha Walker	Fiona Shannon	Youth worker informing Ailsa Stewart that niece Emma Jackson wishes to live with her, revealing previously unknown family estrangement.
11–12 October	Millicent Staples	Julie Haseler	Wealthy young woman booking a charter cruise with Adam Cameron who strands him on an isolated island by sailing away alone after deceiving him about companions’ departure timeframes.
11 October	Henry Whiting	Patrick Ward	Owner of hot dog stand selling business to Celia Stewart over competing offers from Lance Smart and Martin Dibble.
25 October	Sylvia Wilson	Marie Armstrong	Wife of Rex Wilson seen during council disputes over closure of Martin Dibble’s hot dog stand.

External links

• Cast and characters on the Official AU Home and Away site
• Cast and characters on the Official UK Home and Away site
• Cast and characters on the Internet Movie Database