Mira Sardelic

Home and Away

Company type	Television series
Industry	Television, Entertainment
Founded	January 17, 1988 (1988-01-17)
Headquarters	Australia
Area served	Australia
Products	Soap opera
Website	7plus.com.au/home-and-away

Home and Away is a long-running Australian soap opera. Below is a compilation of characters introduced throughout 2003, listed in the sequence of their first appearances, all under the guidance of series producer Julie McGuaran. The show’s sixteenth season premiered on the Seven Network on 13 January 2003. This year marked the arrival of the Hunter family: Scott (played by Kip Gamblin), his mother Beth (portrayed by Clarissa House), along with siblings Kit (Amy Mizzi) and Robbie (Jason Smith), who made their debuts in January, April, and November respectively. In July, Isabel Lucas joined the cast as Tasha Andrews. Later in November, Maggie Kirkpatrick returned to the series portraying Viv "The Guv" Standish.

Scott Hunter

Scott Hunter, brought to life by Kip Gamblin, made his first appearance on 23 January 2003 and exited the show on 25 November 2005. For his portrayal of Scott, Gamblin received the "Most Popular New Male Talent" award at the 2004 Logie Award. Linda Barnier from the Newcastle Herald referred to Scott as a "beefcake" and highlighted his horse-riding debut as reminiscent of a quintessential Man from Snowy River scene.

Beth Hunter

Beth Hunter (née Walters, formerly Sutherland), enacted by Clarissa House, first appeared on 17 April 2003 and departed on 30 January 2007. According to the official series website, Beth is characterized as "open-minded," exhibiting a "strong sense of personal morality and integrity," complemented by a "delicious sense of humour." However, Sacha Molitorisz from The Sydney Morning Herald critiqued an episode centered on Beth and Rhys' wedding, suggesting it catered mainly to dedicated viewers and described its storyline as "unengaging," with music, acting, and dialogue that felt "painful."

Kit Hunter

Kit Hunter, portrayed by Amy Mizzi, debuted on 25 April 2003 and was a main cast member until February 2004, later returning for guest appearances until 3 July 2007. While Isabel Lucas had auditioned for this role, it was ultimately awarded to Mizzi. Her performance earned her a nomination for "Best New Female Talent" at the 2004 Logie Awards.

Tasha Andrews

Tasha Andrews, played by Isabel Lucas, first appeared on-screen on 31 July 2003 and remained until 10 October 2006. Lucas was discovered by talent scout Sharron Meissner, who encouraged her to audition for Kit Hunter—a part that went to Mizzi instead. In response, Series Producer Julie McGuaran created the role of Tasha specifically for Lucas, prompting her move from Melbourne to Sydney, where filming takes place. Lucas was honored with the Most Popular New Female Talent award at the 2004 Logie Awards. Brian Courtis of the Sunday Age described Tasha as a "Blonde Princess" prior to her marriage to Robbie. The character’s controversial storyline involving a cult-like group called the Believers attracted criticism from Catholic Priest Toby Sherring, who condemned the show’s depiction of religion as sensationalized and misleading.

Viv Standish

Vivienne "The Guv" Standish, enacted by Maggie Kirkpatrick, made her debut on 11 November 2003 and left the series on 2 November 2004. Kirkpatrick, renowned for her role as Joan "The Freak" Ferguson in Prisoner: Cell Block H, returned to portraying a prison-related character after a seventeen-year interval. Viv was introduced during Dani Sutherland’s storyline concerning imprisonment for attempted murder, with scenes filmed at the historic Maitland Gaol.

Viv is a former magistrate who was unjustly imprisoned after exposing a pedophile ring involving judges, lawyers, and politicians. Kirkpatrick described Viv as both "tough" and intelligent; initially intimidating Dani, she eventually becomes an ally who protects Dani during an escape attempt. Viv later orchestrates an attack on Dani’s stalker Felix Walters, which results in an extended prison sentence.

As months pass and Viv’s health declines, Dani’s father Rhys visits her and learns she is terminally ill. Before passing away, Viv entrusts Dani with her autobiography manuscript; although it is destroyed accidentally, parts are later salvaged. With support from Morag Bellingham, Viv obtains day release and shares an emotional reunion with Morag’s brother, Alf Stewart. She reveals she had been pregnant with Alf’s child who was adopted by a local couple in Yabbie Creek. Viv dies peacefully in Alf’s arms. It is subsequently revealed that their son was Owen Dalby, who succumbed to a heart attack during an altercation with his own son Ric.

Robbie Hunter

Robbie Hunter, brought to life by Jason Smith, made his first appearance on 25 November 2003 and departed on 10 October 2006. Chris Hemsworth originally tried out for the role of Robbie but was ultimately cast as Kim Hyde. Smith valued the opportunity to join a well-established series and earned a nomination for "Most Popular New Male Talent" at the Logie Awards of 2005.

Additional Characters

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Role Description
14–24 January	Claire Archer	Mariel McClorey	Oversees the Drop-in centre on a temporary basis; inadvertently causes a child protection inquiry.
10 February–5 March	Anna McMahon	Anna Lea Russo	Editor of the campus newspaper; briefly involved romantically with Noah Lawson, creating friction.
13–17 February	Dr. Garland	Scott Higgins	Conducts brain surgery on Alf Stewart.
5 March–17 April	Trevor Bardwell	Bryan Marshall	Student at TAFE; develops a romantic interest in Irene Roberts.
5 March–15 July	Guy Rossi	Han Kidron	Coastal news journalist covering significant local events including Caravan Park heritage listing.
7–18 March	Michael Geoffrey	Andrew James	Education official responsible for decisions regarding Summer Bay High's principal appointments.
25 March–3 April	Stephen Ross	Oliver Ackland	Former classmate involved in Angie Russell’s storyline; experiences a mental collapse.
10–14 April	Mira Sardelic	Hollie Andrew	Wife of Scott Hunter; appears amid divorce proceedings.
17 April–6 June	Maureen Evans	Sally Cahill	Daughter of Colleen Smart who was previously estranged; briefly dates Alf Stewart.
22–29 April	David Brannigan	Richard Healy	Detective assigned to investigate Angie Russell’s murder case.
25–28 April	Monica Markham	Barbara Morton	Angie Russell’s mother; provides support to grandson Dylan following the murder.
6–7 May	Troy	Uncredited	Drug user cared for by Noah Lawson; succumbs to overdose.
8 May–1 October	Amber	Sibylla Deen	Player on the local girls’ soccer team coached by Alex Poulos.
14 May–5 September 2003, 4–5 July 2005, 7–25 April 2022	Dimitri Poulos	Salvatore Coco	Leah Patterson’s eldest sibling; engages in family disputes and later entrusts his son to Leah’s care.
23–24 June	David Simpson	Aristos Athos / Piper Ferguson / Eli Ferguson	Offspring of Sophie Simpson and Blake Dean; born during Sally Fletcher’s hen night celebration.
1 July–24 November	Pia Corelli	Bianca Biasi	Police officer involved in investigations such as Dani Sutherland’s hit-and-run incident.
4–9 July	Courtney	Emily Sexton	Contestant on a reality show planted to stir conflicts leading to Nick Smith’s eviction.
	Damien	Simon Mullard	Reality show participant antagonistic towards Nick Smith.
11 July 2003 – 10 September 2004	Andrew Hilton	James Camden	Student attending Summer Bay High School.
11 July–17 November	Eloise Lennox	Suzanne McEachern	Summer Bay High student diagnosed with terminal leukaemia; forms friendship with Max Sutherland before passing away.
11 July–3 October	Mr. Lennox	Christopher Burken	Father of Eloise Lennox; actively participates in community activities.
6 August–15 October	Ross McLuhan	Angelo D'Angelo	University lecturer who complicates Dani Sutherland’s personal affairs.
5 September 2003 – 30 June 2004	Norman Shadbolt	David Whitford	Owner of a bookstore who dates Colleen Smart; their engagement ends due to family issues.
11 September 2003 – 10 August 2005	Gary Rogers	Leigh Martin	President of Summer Bay High's P&C committee; advocates for stricter school regulations and community campaigns.
19 September–21 October	Toby Clark	Richard Kessell	Cleaner at Summer Bay High with a difficult family history; briefly involved with Jade Sutherland.
24 September 2003 – 22 November 2012	Gloria Clayton	Maria Matteo	Nurse at Northern Districts hospital often seen alongside Julie Cooper.
24 September	Mrs Lennox	Bernadette Cogin	Mother of Eloise Lennox; attends community events with her husband.
2–15 October	Baz Fulsome	Stuart Fenton	Steroid dealer operating at surf club gym; implicated in framing Jesse McGregor.
8 October 2003 – 3 May 2004	The Dean	Philip Holder	University dean responsible for overseeing academic integrity and student discipline.
9 October	Jack Hunter	Ian Lind	Deceased head of the Hunter family, appearing in visions during family visits.
13 October	Matt Owen	David Francis	Drifter who steals a motorcycle and wallet, leading to false death reports.
21 October	Mr. Clark	Andrew Hunter	Member of Toby Clark’s estranged family appearing during Jade and Kirsty Sutherland’s visit.
	Mrs. Clark	Trudi-Ann Tierney
	Jimmy Clark	Will Blackney
	Toby's Sister	Amy Blackney
22 October 2003–11 June 2004	David Callahan	Felix Williamson / Nicholas Cassim	Shelley Sutherland’s fiancé; serves as Dani Sutherland’s legal representative and ends relationship due to personal concerns.
29–31 October	Mr. Robertson	Danny Adcock	Prosecutor in Dani Sutherland’s trial who secures a conviction through rigorous cross-examination.