Luka Dokich

Neighbours

Company type	Television series
Industry	Television soap opera
Founded	March 18, 1985 (1985-03-18)
Headquarters	Melbourne , Australia
Area served	Australia
Website	www.neighbours.com.au

Neighbours is a long-running Australian soap opera that premiered on 18 March 1985. Below is a compilation of characters introduced throughout 2004, all under the guidance of executive producer Ric Pellizzeri. The show's twentieth season commenced broadcast on 19 January 2004. Among the new faces, Svetlanka Ristic, mother to Liljana Bishop, made her debut in February, with her grandson Luka Dokich arriving in September. Ben Barrack was cast as Gus Cleary in February, followed by the introduction of police officer Allan Steiger in March. The Timmins family was introduced with Stingray appearing in March and Janelle in November. Joe Scully's brother Tom came onto the scene in May. June saw the arrival of corrupt officer Olivia McPherson. Neighbours' featured its first regular lesbian character, Lana Crawford, starting in August. Psychiatrist Jeremy Levi was introduced in September, and Carmella Cammeniti's mother, Lucia, appeared in November.

Svetlanka Ristic

Svetlanka Ristic, played by Deidre Rubenstein, is the authoritarian mother of Zoran and Liljana Bishop. Together with her husband, she managed a vineyard located in Perth. Svetlanka’s initial appearance occurred on 13 February 2004. She travels to Melbourne to visit Liljana’s household, where she uncovers financial difficulties and attempts to exert emotional control by offering money and feigning illness. After conflicts escalate, she departs but later returns with an offer of $100,000 that intensifies familial disputes. Svetlanka disapproves of the relationship between her grandson Luka and granddaughter Serena, unaware of their kinship. When Liljana requires a liver transplant, Luka is revealed as her biological son and a compatible donor. Although some reconciliation occurs, Svetlanka eventually returns to Perth. She is unable to attend the funeral after a tragic plane crash claims the lives of Liljana’s family members due to being sedated from grief.

Gus Cleary

Gus Cleary, portrayed by Ben Barrack, made his first appearance on 17 February 2004 as an acquaintance of Max Hoyland. Hailing from an affluent background, Gus faces challenges with mental health and employment aboard his father's oil rig before relocating to Erinsborough. While working at Lou's Place and dating Izzy Hoyland, he manipulates the Hoyland family but descends into risky conduct involving sedative misuse and stalking behavior. Eventually institutionalized, Gus resurfaces at Izzy's wedding to Karl Kennedy. His storyline culminates dramatically when Paul Robinson kills him during the Lassiter's fire in 2004; he later appears in flashbacks.

Allan Steiger

Senior Sergeant Allan Steiger, enacted by Joe Clements, debuted on 4 March 2004 as both a police sergeant and self-defence instructor. His character developed further with the arrival of his daughter Pepper Steiger and his romantic involvement with Janelle Timmins. Allan maintains discipline among recruits and investigates significant crimes such as the Lassiter's fire and false accusations against David Bishop for fraud. He provides support to colleagues facing personal issues and leads inquiries into stalking incidents involving Paul Robinson. After reconciling with ex-wife Christine Rodd—who reveals she is a lesbian—he begins dating Janelle Timmins. Following family tragedies, Allan proposes marriage to Janelle; they wed and move to the Solomon Islands when he accepts employment there.

Stingray Timmins

Stingray Timmins, portrayed by Ben Nicholas, first appeared on 11 March 2004 as the youngest child of Janelle and Kim Timmins. Nicholas secured this role shortly before production began.

Tom Scully

Tom Scully, played by Andrew Larkins, made his debut on 5 May 2004 as Joe Scully’s younger brother and a Catholic priest romantically involved with Susan Kennedy. Their relationship sparked controversy due to its violation of celibacy vows. Tom resigns from the priesthood for Susan but eventually leaves town when their relationship deteriorates. He returns in 2007 as Principal of Erinsborough High, where he clashes with staff and students but ultimately resigns to travel overseas to visit family.

Olivia McPherson

Olivia "Mac" McPherson, enacted by Silvia de Crespigny, first appeared on 3 June 2004 as a police officer who dates Jack Scully and Stuart Parker. Olivia battles drug addiction and corruption within the police force, engaging in criminal acts such as staged robberies to support her lifestyle. Her double life strains relationships until she chooses to reform and admits her wrongdoings to Stuart, who reports her. Olivia leaves the series after making amends.

Lana Crawford

'Lana Crawford, portrayed by Bridget Neval, debuted on 31 August 2004 as Neighbours first openly lesbian character. She participated in the show’s inaugural on-screen lesbian kiss with Sky Mangel. Lana is revealed as cousin to Sindi Watts.

Luka Dokich

Luka Dokich, played by Keelan O'Hehir, first appeared on 14 September 2004 as Liljana Bishop’s son who was given up for adoption at birth. Luka arrives seeking connection with his biological family but unknowingly enters into an incestuous relationship with half-sister Serena Bishop before their relation comes to light. Raised apart from his biological relatives under Svetlanka Ristic’s influence—who concealed his existence to protect family reputation—his arrival leads to medical intervention saving Liljana through a liver transplant match. After partial resolution of family conflicts, Luka returns to Perth for support.

Jeremy Levi

Jeremy Levi, portrayed by Roger Neave, debuted on 21 September 2004 as a psychiatrist working at Erinsborough Hospital. He provides treatment for key characters including Izzy Hoyland (nightmares), Boyd Hoyland (initial schizophrenia diagnosis later identified as brain tumour), Sindi Watts (paranoid delusions), Stephanie Scully (mental health evaluations), Karl Kennedy (sleep disorders), Paul Robinson (post-brain surgery memory loss), Nicola West (paranoia leading to secure unit placement), Zeke Kinski (recovery from fugue state), Miranda Parker (after arrest under Mental Health Act), and conducts psychological assessments related to surrogacy arrangements within the Kennedy family.

Lucia Cammeniti

Lucia Cammeniti, portrayed by Maria Mercedes, first appeared on 2 November 2004 as matriarch and businesswoman heading the Cammeniti family. With her husband Rocco incarcerated, Lucia assumes leadership over family businesses and exerts control over her daughters Carmella and Rosetta's personal affairs. She challenges suitors such as Connor O'Neill and arranges Rosetta’s marriage plans while managing internal family dynamics including Carmella’s pregnancy and relationship issues involving Oliver Barnes.

Janelle Timmins

Janelle Timmins, played by Nell Feeney, debuted on 11 November 2004 as head of the Timmins household and mother to Dylan, Stingray, Janae, and Bree Timmins. She is characterised as a practical country woman with working-class origins.

Others

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Context
23 January 2004–30 July 2007	Stanford Mundy	Michael Quinn	Stanford, a surgeon at Erinsborough Hospital and colleague of Karl Kennedy, performs a paternity test for Paul Robinson and Oliver Barnes, confirming no biological relation between them.
4 April	Ryan Swan	Patrick Williams	Ryan arrives at the coffee shop with his father John, who is revealed as the individual responsible for Sky Mangel's mother's death during a protest. John commemorates the event annually at the site and has since given up hunting.
6 April	Sally Jeffries	Isabella Stephenson	Sally, the younger sibling of Lisa Jeffries, celebrates her birthday with Gus Cleary performing as a clown, though his performance fails to entertain.
13 April 2004–14 January 2005	Madeleine Lee	Madison Lu	Madeleine, daughter of Lori Lee and Connor O'Neill, requires surgery due to a severe ear infection. Connor funds the procedure after Lori leaves Madeleine in his care.
4 June 2004–2 February 2005	Krystal	Estelle Andrewartha	Krystal, a personal trainer, works with David Bishop and later persuades Boyd Hoyland to pursue bodybuilding, supplying him with human growth hormones. Boyd ceases involvement after recognizing her manipulation.
28 June–5 July	Therese Bray	Susan Turner	Employed at the local Catholic church, Therese overhears private information concerning Tom Scully and resigns after advising Susan Kennedy about the situation.
28 July 2004–25 February 2005	Caleb Wilson	Joss Kasper	Caleb, the son of a wealthy businessman, starts a relationship with Summer Hoyland, pressuring her to advance their romance before ultimately ending it.
6, 13 September	Krishneel Nand	Curtis Fernandez	Nina Tucker's personal assistant responsible for managing logistical arrangements during their time on Ramsay Street.
13–14 September 2004, 7 December 2021–present	Rhonda Del Rubio	Rebekah Robertson	Legal counsel for Karl Kennedy during his divorce from Susan Kennedy; later acts as marriage counselor for Paul Robinson and Terese Willis and provides guidance to other residents on personal matters.
15 September–19 October	Travis Dean	Adrian Foley	Travis intensifies disputes with Boyd Hoyland involving territorial conflicts and arson. After threatening legal action against Constable Stuart Parker, Travis drops charges following advice from Toadfish Rebecchi.
27 September–30 November	Brendan Bond	Michael Wahr	Brendan dates Lana Crawford but reacts negatively when she discloses her attraction to women, leading to homophobic remarks that sparked viewer complaints but were ultimately cleared by Ofcom.
7 October	Buffy Only	Laura Gordon	Editor of the underground gay magazine Leichen, Buffy meets Lana Crawford and Sky Mangel regarding their 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 over family issues. After an ultimatum about moving to Adelaide, Lori ends their relationship.
24 November 2004–1 February 2005	Doreen Cassidy	\Anne Phelan	Sister to Charlie Cassidy who supports the family during Charlie's final days and encourages reconciliation among relatives before departing.
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'	Son of Charlie Cassidy who returns upon learning of his father's illness; initially suspects foul play but reconciles with family prior to leaving.

External links

• Complete cast and characters on the Internet Movie Database