Mav Patterson

Home and Away

Company type	Television series
Industry	Television, entertainment
Founded	January 17, 1988 (1988-01-17)
Headquarters	Australia
Website	7plus.com.au/home-and-away

Home and Away is a long-running Australian soap opera that premiered on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. The following compilation highlights characters introduced during 2002, all introduced under the guidance of Series Producer Julie McGuaran. The show's fifteenth season commenced airing on 14 January 2002. In January, Sebastian Elmaloglou made his debut as Max Sutherland, followed by Rhett Giles joining as Paris Burnett in April. Laurie Foell appeared as Deputy Principal Angie Russell in September, with her son Dylan (Brett Hicks-Maitland) arriving in October.

Max Sutherland

Max Sutherland, portrayed by Sebastian Elmaloglou, featured on the series from 21 January 2002 until 1 September 2004. This role marked Elmaloglou's first recurring character after guest appearances in shows such as GP. Max comes to Summer Bay accompanied by his father, Pete, to live with his uncle Rhys and aunt Shelley. When Pete escapes to Hong Kong due to gambling debts, Max’s stay becomes indefinite. Initially facing challenges, he quickly forms a friendship with caravan resident Colleen Smart and frequently finds himself in trouble at school alongside his cousin Kirsty.

Max collaborates with Colleen on authoring a book under the pseudonym "Maxine Peterson" and becomes entangled in a minor romantic triangle involving Tamara Simpson and Caitlin. He later befriends Tasha Andrews and enters a meaningful relationship with new student Eloise Lennox, who is battling terminal leukemia. Max supports Eloise in fulfilling her last wishes before she passes away in his arms.

After Eloise’s death, Max constructs a memorial inside an abandoned mine shaft that subsequently collapses, trapping him along with Rhys, Kirsty, and Jade; all are ultimately rescued. Following Rhys’s marriage to Beth Hunter, Max adjusts to her children Henry and Matilda, initially clashing with Henry before they become friends. Max briefly expresses interest in Matilda but is turned down. As family conflicts intensify and Rhys reconciles with Shelley, Max feels increasingly alienated and eventually leaves Summer Bay to attend boarding school.

Elmaloglou was nominated for "Best Young Actor" at the 2004 Inside Soap Awards for his portrayal of Max. Channel 5 recognized the 2003 mine shaft collapse episode as one of the series’ standout moments. In 2017, Digital Spy commended Max’s story arcs for their complexity compared to typical child roles in soap operas. Conversely, Inside Soap critiqued the terminal illness storyline as repetitive of earlier plots.

Paris Burnett

Paris Burnett, enacted by Rhett Giles, debuted on 29 April 2002 and exited the show on 10 September 2003. Giles, who had previously appeared on All Saints, returned to that series following his stint on Home and Away.

Paris arrives at Summer Bay High as the new principal, taking over from Donald Fisher amid efforts by the education department to shut down the school. He quickly forms a bond with Irene Roberts based on shared experiences, although both initially resist acknowledging their feelings. Paris plays a key role in saving the school by revealing departmental mismanagement through information provided by Brett Egan.

As Paris’s relationship with Irene deepens, they share a kiss after being stranded during the Summer Bay 150th anniversary celebration. They embark on a romantic relationship despite disapproval from Irene’s foster son Nick Smith, who considers Paris too young. Paris later receives an offer for a position in Orange but returns to Summer Bay to resume his principal duties after Donald retires.

His comeback stirs conflict with Angie Russell, who had anticipated receiving the promotion herself. Paris strives to repair his relationship with Irene and moves into the Beach House with her. Despite facing difficulties related to Nick’s behavior issues and Irene’s diagnosis of depression, their relationship endures. Paris ultimately departs after learning of his brother’s passing and assuming responsibility for his orphaned niece and nephew; Irene chooses not to accompany him, leading to an emotional goodbye.

Angie Russell

Angela "Angie" Russell, brought to life by Laurie Foell, made her debut on 26 September 2002 and exited on 21 March 2003, with a subsequent return as a spectral presence in 2004. The disclosure of Angie's murderer attracted an audience of 1.5 million in Australia, surpassing the ratings of Nine Network's Big Brother Australia 2003. A writer from What's on TV included Angie in the list of "The 50 most evil soap villains," highlighting Foell's memorable performance. The Sunday Mercury labeled Angie as a "crackpot," commending the series for its prompt conclusion to her storyline.

Dylan Russell

Dylan Russell, portrayed by Brett Hicks-Maitland, an Adelaide native, first appeared on 8 October 2002 and continued in a recurring capacity until 2004. A graduate of NIDA, Hicks-Maitland moved to Sydney to pursue acting and secured an extended contract after impressing the show's producers. He remains well-known for this character years later.

Dylan was depicted as a mature and empathetic 17-year-old with striking looks, socially skilled yet somewhat self-absorbed, possessing a sharp wit comparable to that of Nick Smith. At age 24, Hicks-Maitland appreciated the opportunity to portray younger roles for sustained career prospects.

He arrives in Summer Bay following his mother Angie's appointment as Deputy Principal. Dylan enters a romantic relationship with Kirsty Sutherland, which Angie opposes upon revealing that Rhys Sutherland is Dylan’s biological father, prompting Dylan to end the romance. As Angie’s behavior worsens, Dylan distances himself and grows closer to the Sutherland family. After surviving a boating accident requiring a blood transfusion, tests reveal Dylan is not Rhys’s son, creating tension but leaving room for reconciliation.

During a heated confrontation, Dylan accidentally causes Angie’s death by pushing her. Although initially suspected, he is arrested and subsequently acquitted at trial. He later reconnects with his half-sister Tasha Andrews and tracks down Angie's doppelgänger cousin Josie Russell when Tasha disappears.

The episode featuring Dylan’s confession, penned by Fiona Kelly, earned a nomination from the Australian Writer's Guild in 2004.

Others

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Role Summary
21 January – 13 March	Pete Sutherland	Christopher Mayer	Brother to Rhys Sutherland and father of Max. Visits Summer Bay to see family; reveals gambling debts; flees with Max; later leaves Max with Rhys and Shelley after creditors pursue him.
22–24 January	Brian Alcott	Richard Healy	Father of Miles Alcott; attends coroner's inquest into son's death; visits Miles' girlfriend Brodie Hanson; relieved when Alex Poulos is acquitted; advises Alex not to let tragedy define him.
23 January	Mrs. Alcottt	Uncredited	Mother of Miles Alcott; present at his inquest.
5–13 February	Justin Bell	Mitchell Eirth	Troubled teenager causing friction with Alf Stewart and Flynn Saunders; has violent past; mother Maggie expels him; faces shoplifting charges; collapses and assaults nurse Charlotte Adams; accuses Flynn of assault; mother attempts blackmail.
5 February – 1 April	Patricia Morgan	Gennie Nevinson	Principal of Reefton Lakes High; clashes with Summer Bay High principal over school closures; submits plan favoring her school despite son Ethan supporting Summer Bay's campaign.
6 February – 8 March	Maggie Bell	Helen O'Connor	Justin Bell's mother; expels him due to violence; contacts Flynn Saunders seeking Justin; attempts blackmail but stopped by Noah Lawson and police.
11 February – 12 April	Grace O'Connor	Mary Docker	Nurse at Northern Districts Hospital treating Justin Bell and Nick Smith after bus accident; dates Nathan Roberts before leaving town.
18–20 February	Mr Atkins	David Webb	Legal counsel for Vinnie Patterson during fraud trial; defense unsuccessful.
19 February	Greg West	Dane Carson	Father of Josh West; encourages Josh to pursue university studies and later manage family businesses due to illness.
20 February	Governor Williamson	Alistair Duncan	Judge overseeing Vinnie Patterson's fraud case; sentences him to two years imprisonment.
21 February – 8 April	Ethan Morgan	Ben Connolly	Student Committee leader at Reefton Lakes High; spearheads campaign against school closures including live-streamed sit-in protest; expresses interest in Brodie Hanson who declines due to recent loss; arrested during protest but released.
25 February	Jenny Latham	Fiona Hepburn	Parole officer assisting Nathan Roberts with employment placement.
26 February–14 August 2012	Julie Cooper	Lisa Hayson-Phillips	Nurse at Northern Districts Hospital; befriends Flynn Saunders and briefly dates Tony Holden; falsely accused of murder but exonerated; participates in nurses’ strike but returns following patient emergency.
27 February – 21 March	Christopher "Kick" Johnson	Jason Clarke	Exchange teacher from Reefton Lakes High with informal approach conflicting with Donald Fisher’s style; departs after student bus accident.
7 March – 6 September	Kelli Edwards	Alyssa-Jane Cook	Local baker supplying Beachside Diner cakes; purchases Alex Poulos’ van; relationship complicated by harassment from ex-husband Jason Edwards; leaves after realizing Alex’s feelings for Brodie Hanson.
12 March – 17 April	Jemma MacKinnon	Thea Gumbert	Hairdresser and Kirsty Sutherland’s friend who provides fake ID leading to hospitalization; becomes homeless after being expelled but returns home following Shelley Sutherland’s intervention.
15 March – 13 September	Marie Peters	Cate Murray	Mother of Julius Peters.
28 March – 26 August	Riley Edwards	Issac Gorman	Sons of Kelli Edwards.
	Brayden Edwards	Jamie Broadbent
5–30 April 2003	Jackie Turner	Julieanne Newbould	Journalist and mother of Josh West; reports on student protest and considers exposing Flynn Saunders but decides against it; uses contacts to aid Dani Sutherland in locating Rhys Sutherland; encourages Josh to visit ill father Greg West before departing town.
17 April	Ray MacKinnon	Christopher Burke	Parents of Gemma MacKinnon; persuaded by Shelley Sutherland to allow their daughter home after she was expelled.
	Carmel MacKinnon	Meredith O'Reilly
19 April – 16 July	Aimee Cooper	Rhianna Griffith	Appears at drop-in center for orienteering competition where she clashes with Dani Sutherland's team which loses event. Works at diner, befriends Alex Poulos and Hayley Smith, organizes bikini car wash fundraiser. Moves in with Hayley and Noah Lawson but overstays welcome, attempts to seduce Noah then departs revealing troubled background.
23 April – 8 May	Ryan Anderson	Damien Fowler	Schoolboy facing bullying who is befriended by Donald Fisher.
23 May	Captain Ellis	Christopher Galletti	Captain of cruise ship Mirgini during Summer Bay’s sesquicentennial celebrations.
27 June–4 May 2004	Caitlin	Bree Beadman	Classmate showing romantic interest in Max Sutherland.
18 July – 5 September	Mav Patterson	Clayton Williams	Cousin of Vinnie Patterson attending son's christening. Suspected of theft but cleared when real culprit identified. Briefly dates Brodie Hanson before leaving for Vietnam alone following tragedy.
1–27 August	Jason Edwards	Benj Daddario	Ex-husband of Kelli Edwards and father of Riley and Brayden. Harasses Kelli and assaults Alex Poulos resulting in hospitalization after Jesse McGregor intervenes. Later reported for theft at drop-in center.
27 August – 6 September	Bernadette	Celia Ireland	Manager of Yabbie Creek RSL club who pays out jackpot to Colleen Smart on video poker machine win.
17 October–3 July 2003	Mikey Dunn	Trent Atkinson	Autistic student at Summer Bay High who befriends Seb Miller and teacher Sally Fletcher. Experiences distress during fire drill leading to slapping Sally, briefly disappears then leaves town after end-of-year dance. Returns for Sally's wedding and briefly works for Scott Hunter before departing again.
17 October–3 July 2003	Mrs Dunn	Susan Kennedy	Mikey Dunn’s mother.
17 October	Kelvin Matthews	James Donnellan	Surf club gym patron who harasses Hayley Smith and is assaulted by Jesse McGregor who subsequently faces charges.
17–25 October	Tara	Rebecca Murphy	Former friend of Sally Fletcher asked to be surrogate mother for Sally and Flynn Saunders’ child. Plan ends when Tara reveals past family tragedy involving deaths. Leaves town after reconnecting with family members.
6–12 November	Grigg	Amos Szeps	Former cellmate of Jesse McGregor who blackmails him and takes hostages including Nick Smith and Irene Roberts. Flees when interrupted by Donald Fisher, later found deceased in Donald's car.