List of Neighbours characters introduced in 2004
Svetlanka Ristic
Svetlanka Ristic, brought to life by Deidre Rubenstein, is the authoritative mother of Liljana Bishop and proprietor of a vineyard. She made her first appearance on 13 February 2004. Svetlanka arrives in Erinsborough to visit Liljana, uncovering the family's financial difficulties and seeking to exert emotional and monetary control over them. She feigns illness and attempts to win influence through financial means but is eventually asked to depart. Svetlanka discloses that Liljana had a stillborn child she never met, which creates strain within the family. Subsequently, she offers $100,000 to Liljana’s relatives, leading to discord, and briefly develops a rapport with Harold Bishop. She disapproves of the relationship between her grandson Luka Dokich and Serena Bishop, concealing Luka’s true origins. When Liljana requires a liver transplant, Svetlanka reveals Luka is a compatible donor but cautions Serena to keep her distance. After Liljana declines the offer, Svetlanka returns to Perth. Due to her grief, she is unable to attend the funeral following the deaths of Liljana and her family in a plane crash.
Gus Cleary
Gus Cleary, portrayed by Ben Barrack, made his debut on 17 February 2004. A close acquaintance of Max Hoyland, Gus hails from an affluent background but faces mental health challenges, including schizophrenia. After losing his job on an oil rig, he arrives in Erinsborough and manipulates Max’s family, entering a relationship with Izzy Hoyland while displaying possessiveness. Gus sedates Max to provoke accidents and stirs conflict within the Hoyland household. His unstable conduct results in his commitment to a psychiatric facility. Gus briefly returns before being killed by Paul Robinson during the Lassiter's fire. He later appears in flashbacks in 2007 and 2014 after Paul's confession.
Allan Steiger
Senior Sergeant Allan Steiger, enacted by Joe Clements, first appeared on 4 March 2004. As a police sergeant and self-defence trainer, Allan's storyline expanded with the introduction of his daughter Pepper Steiger. He enters into a romantic relationship with Janelle Timmins, offering her support during family hardships. Allan initially has conflicts with Stuart Parker but eventually becomes his mentor, involving him in undercover assignments. He leads investigations into significant cases such as the Lassiter's fire and fraud allegations against David Bishop. After his former wife Christine comes out as a lesbian, Allan begins dating Janelle. He proposes marriage and they wed before he accepts a position in the Solomon Islands; they depart together following their farewell celebration.
Stingray Timmins
Stingray Timmins, played by Ben Nicholas, was introduced on 11 March 2004 as the youngest child of Janelle and Kim Timmins. Nicholas secured the role shortly after auditioning and described joining Neighbours as "a dream come true."
Tom Scully
Tom Scully, portrayed by Andrew Larkins, first appeared on 5 May 2004 as Joe Scully’s brother and a Catholic priest who becomes romantically involved with Susan Kennedy. Their relationship caused controversy when Tom left the priesthood for Susan, although they eventually separated. Tom returned in 2007 as Principal of Erinsborough High, creating friction with Susan and her husband Karl Kennedy before resigning to relocate overseas.
Olivia McPherson
Olivia "Mac" McPherson, portrayed by Silvia de Crespigny, made her debut on 3 June 2004 as a police officer involved romantically with both Jack Scully and Stuart Parker. Her character arc involves a descent into corruption, where she misappropriates stolen money to fund her nightlife and participates in criminal acts such as orchestrating staged robberies. Once Stuart uncovers her illegal activities, Olivia ends her relationships and commits to turning her life around. Her storyline shed light on the difficulties law enforcement personnel face when dealing with personal struggles.
Lana Crawford
Lana Crawford, brought to life by Bridget Neval, first appeared on 31 August 2004 as the first openly lesbian character on Neighbours. Lana is introduced as the cousin of Sindi Watts and is notable for sharing the series’ inaugural on-screen lesbian kiss with Sky Mangel.
Luka Dokich
Luka Dokich, enacted by Keelan O'Hehir, arrived on 14 September 2004 as the biological son of Liljana Bishop, who had been given up for adoption at birth. Luka’s storyline revolves around his search for his birth family, which leads to an unwitting romantic involvement with his half-sister Serena Bishop before their sibling connection is revealed. His narrative explores complex family secrets, including Svetlanka’s deceit regarding his adoption and Liljana’s initial rejection due to the circumstances surrounding his birth.
Jeremy Levi
Jeremy Levi, played by Roger Neave, was a psychiatrist at Erinsborough Hospital appearing from September 2004 until June 2009. He provided psychological support to prominent characters such as Izzy Hoyland, Boyd Hoyland (diagnosed with adolescent schizophrenia), Sindi Watts (experiencing paranoia), Stephanie Scully (evaluated for mental competency), Karl Kennedy (addressing sleep disorders), Paul Robinson (memory impairment), Nicola West (paranoia), Zeke Kinski (fugue state), Miranda Parker (mental health crisis), and also assisted families undergoing psychological evaluations related to surrogacy arrangements.
Lucia Cammeniti
Lucia Cammeniti, portrayed by Maria Mercedes, was introduced on 2 November 2004 as a determined businesswoman who managed family affairs during her husband Rocco Cammeniti’s incarceration. She exerted significant influence over the lives of her daughters Carmella, Rosetta, and Rosaria—particularly orchestrating Rosetta’s marriage plans—and strategically interfered in Carmella’s romantic relationships. Lucia returned periodically through 2007, characterized by her authoritative and meddlesome presence within family dynamics.
Janelle Timmins
Janelle Timmins, enacted by Nell Feeney, is the matriarch of the Timmins family—mother to Dylan, Stingray, Janae, and Bree—making her first appearance on 11 November 2004. Described as a straightforward country woman exhibiting "bogan" characteristics, Janelle became central to numerous storylines involving love, loss, and perseverance following profound events affecting her children and household.
Others
| Date(s) | Character | Actor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 January 2004–30 July 2007 | Stanford Mundy | Michael Quinn | Stanford is a surgeon at Erinsborough Hospital and colleague of Karl Kennedy. He conducts a paternity test involving Paul Robinson and Oliver Barnes, confirming no biological relation. |
| 4 April | Ryan Swan | Patrick Williams | Ryan visits a café alongside his father John, where Sky Mangel identifies John as responsible for her mother's death during a protest. John reflects on past hunting experiences shared with Ryan. |
| 6 April | Sally Jeffries | Isabella Stephenson | Sally, younger sister of Lisa Jeffries, celebrates her birthday with Gus Cleary performing as a clown; however, the entertainment fails to captivate the attendees. |
| 13 April 2004–14 January 2005 | Madeleine Lee | Madison Lu | Madeleine is born in New Zealand to Lori Lee and Connor O'Neill. Connor oversees treatment for her serious ear infection after Lori departs for Lorne. |
| 4 June 2004–2 February 2005 | Krystal | Estelle Andrewartha | Krystal works as a personal trainer coaching David Bishop and Boyd Hoyland. She persuades Boyd to pursue bodybuilding using human growth hormones but he ceases after recognizing her manipulative intentions. |
| 28 June–5 July | Therese Bray | Susan Turner | Therese is employed at the local Catholic church but resigns upon overhearing Tom Scully's feelings towards Susan Kennedy. |
| 28 July 2004–25 February 2005 | Caleb Wilson | Joss Kasper | Caleb, son of a wealthy businessman, meets Summer Hoyland during a holiday resort visit. They briefly date before Caleb pressures Summer into accelerating their relationship. |
| 6, 13 September | Krishneel Nand | Curtis Fernandez | Krishneel serves as Nina Tucker's personal assistant managing logistical arrangements during their time on Ramsay Street. |
| 13–14 September 2004, 7 December 2021–present |
Rhonda Del Rubio | Rebekah Robertson | Rhonda acts as legal counsel for Karl Kennedy in his divorce from Susan Kennedy. Later she functions as marriage counselor for Paul Robinson and Terese Willis, also advising other key figures including Toadie Rebecchi and Holly Hoyland. |
| 15 September–19 October | Travis Dean | Adrian Foley | Travis provokes Boyd Hoyland over territory disputes involving posters, escalating to arson. After arrest, he files an excessive force claim but withdraws it following legal guidance from Toadfish Rebecchi. |
| 27 September–30 November | Brendan Bond | Michael Wahr | Brendan dates Lana Crawford but reacts negatively when she reveals her preference for women, resulting in homophobic behavior. |
| 7 October | Buffy Only | Laura Gordon | Editor of underground gay magazine Leichen, Buffy meets Sky Mangel and Lana Crawford over a comic strip submission and briefly dates Lana. |
| 17–29 November | Nick Sullivan | Angus Grant | Nick is Lori Lee’s partner who clashes with Connor O'Neill regarding their daughter Madeleine; plans to relocate to Adelaide are abandoned after Lori ends their relationship. |
| 24 November 2004–1 February 2005 | Doreen Cassidy | Anne Phelan | Doreen, sister of Charlie Cassidy residing in a commune, supports the family during Charlie's final days and encourages reconciliation between Charlie and his son Michael. |
| 1 December 2004–12 January 2005 | Georgina Harris | Adrienne Smith | Georgina invites Lana Crawford to attend the school formal; they develop a bond before Lana returns to Canada. |
| 10 December 2004–1 February 2005 | Michael Cassidy | David Paterson | Following the death of his father Charlie, Michael Cassidy struggles with family tensions and initially suspects foul play before reconciling with Lyn Scully. |