Nigel Taggart

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart was originally introduced between 25 January and 13 February 1989, portrayed by Alison Mulvaney. Presented through flashbacks as the first wife of Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher), the character made a comeback on 27 March 2018, with Belinda Giblin—a previous cast member—taking over the role. Meagher recommended Giblin, describing her as "the ideal choice." Martha holds the distinction of having the longest interval between appearances on Home and Away.

Brought back during the series' 30th anniversary, it was revealed that Martha had survived after being presumed dead by drowning in 1985. Alf informs their daughter Roo Stewart that Martha vanished due to personal unhappiness. Upon returning to Summer Bay, Martha's storyline explores her efforts to reconcile with Alf alongside her battle with borderline personality disorder (BPD), which triggers anxiety and affects her interpersonal relationships.

As Alf's former spouse and mother to their daughter, Ruth "Roo" Stewart, Martha initially appeared in flashbacks and diary excerpts. Decades later, Alf discloses that she is still alive. Following treatment for BPD, Martha strives to rebuild connections with both Roo and Alf, leading to a renewed romantic involvement with Alf. Despite challenges such as anxiety attacks and disputes over her maintaining a residence and studio in Merimbula, Martha and Alf remarry and manage a shared life between Merimbula and Summer Bay.

Later, Martha’s son Kieran Baldivis reaches out to her, prompting her to inform Alf and Roo about this new family development. Kieran’s introduction brings fresh dynamics to the family. Martha remains based in Merimbula while Alf continues regular visits.

Vicki Baxter

Vicki Baxter, played by Nana Coburn, made her debut on 22 February 1989. Coburn’s father, Norman Coburn, also featured on the show as headmaster Donald Fisher. David Brown from TV Week characterized Vicki as "Summer Bay’s local troublemaker." Initially reluctant about portraying an unpopular character, Coburn eventually embraced the role. She appeared intermittently until filming her final scenes in June 1990, reflecting that the experience provided consistent work and valuable lessons. She particularly enjoyed filming a fight sequence with Dannii Minogue near the end of her time on the show.

Vicki serves as an antagonist within Steven Matheson’s class at Summer Bay High, bullying peers such as Viv Newton and clashing with Emma Jackson. After new teacher Grant Mitchell rejects her advances, Vicki falsely accuses him of sexual harassment, resulting in his suspension. Emma compels Vicki to admit the truth, leading to Grant’s reinstatement. Subsequently, Vicki frames Emma for stealing exam papers, which causes Emma’s expulsion. Collaborating with Vicki’s cousin Anna, Steven and Paul Jensen expose Vicki’s manipulations, culminating in Vicki’s expulsion from school.

Rebecca Fisher

Rebecca Fisher, portrayed by Jane Hall, first appeared on 3 April 1989 as the daughter of principal Donald Fisher. During her time in Summer Bay, she becomes romantically linked with Steven Matheson. Producers noted strong chemistry between Hall and Adam Willits and contemplated occasional guest appearances for Rebecca. The role was recast with Danielle Carter for a seven-week period in 1994. In 1996, Belinda Emmett assumed the role, earning several Logie Award nominations including Most Popular New Talent (1997), Most Popular Actress (1998, 1999), and the Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television.

Marilyn Chambers

Marilyn Chambers, brought to life by Emily Symons, made her debut on 18 May 1989. Symons departed the series in 1992 but returned to the role from 1995 until 1999. Dannii Minogue originally tried out for Marilyn but was instead cast as Emma Jackson, allowing Symons to assume the role of Marilyn. According to Holy Soap, Marilyn was characterized as a "cheerful" and "scatterbrained blonde beautician."

Duncan Stewart

Duncan Stewart entered the storyline on 14 June 1989, portrayed by Brendan McKensy, whose work earned him a nomination for Best Young Actor at the 1999 Inside Soap Awards.

Adam Cameron

Adam Cameron, played by Mat Stevenson, first appeared on 28 June 1989. Stevenson had previously acted in the rival soap Neighbours as a small-time criminal. He relocated from Melbourne to Sydney for this role and exited the show in 1994. Stevenson described Adam as somewhat of an idler who favors relaxation over responsibility, contrasting with his own more conscientious personality. An Inside Soap columnist referred to Adam as a "former prankster" and "carefree spirit." Stevenson returned for a guest appearance in 1999 and contemplated a full-time comeback, appreciating the character's ongoing development.

Viv Newton

Viv Newton, portrayed by Mouche Phillips, debuted on 5 July 1989 and left on 25 May 1990. Phillips began filming soon after Justine Clarke's departure from the series. She mentioned that she preferred to stay active during production, often moving about, which sometimes made it challenging for crew members to locate her.

Emma Jackson

Emma Jackson, enacted by Dannii Minogue, first appeared on 22 September 1989 and departed on 22 August 1990. Although Minogue initially auditioned for the part of Marilyn Chambers, she was cast as Emma instead. She left after one year to focus on her music career. Despite speculation in 2007 about a possible return for the show's 20th anniversary in 2008, Minogue did not reprise this role. Her portrayal earned her a nomination for "Most Popular Actress on Australian Television" at the 1989 Logie Awards, and Holy Soap recognized her among Home and Away's "Sexiest girls ever."

Others

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Details
25 January	Les Palmer	Graham Lancaster	Les is Celia Stewart’s deceased fiancé featured in flashbacks from 1970; their engagement celebration ends tragically due to Les’s death in the Vietnam War.
26 January–16 March	Nicholas Walsh	Robert Taylor	Nicholas visits Summer Bay, announces his engagement to Stacey Macklin, attempts to purchase the caravan park, frames Roo Stewart with malicious letters, and assaults Stacey before being stopped by Tom Fletcher.
1 February–5 September	Kim Patterson	Jacqui Townsend	Kim, Alison Patterson’s younger sister and Summer Bay Primary student, discovers Morag Bellingham’s memoir manuscript and debates the reality of the "Summer Bay Bunyip" with Sally Fletcher.
13 February–20 March	Richard Bellingham	John Bonney	Richard, husband of Morag Bellingham, separates following revelations about Morag’s secret maternity; he cautions niece Roo Stewart against Morag before departing.
20 February–21 November	James Donahue	Richard Morgan	Journalist Donahue probes into Morag’s secret life, manipulates locals for stories, including persuading Lance Smart to fabricate a shark sighting.
22 February–5 April	Leanne Dunn	Kylie Foster	Leanne dates Martin Dibble while struggling with illiteracy; after a violent encounter, she leaves Martin for her former boyfriend Meat Axe.
1 March–12 November	Enid	Jan Oxenbould	Enid participates in a community meeting addressing a shark threat near the beach.
8 March	Nola Dibble	Denise Roberts	Nola is Martin Dibble’s mother who meets Leanne Dunn during a family dinner arranged to discourage marriage plans.
8 March	Scott Dibble	Uncredited	Martin Dibble’s brother; present at family dinner.
8 March	Errol Dibble	Uncredited	Another brother of Martin Dibble; appears at family gathering.
21 March–24 May	Nigel Taggart	Gary Down	Nigel serves as Morag Bellingham’s personal assistant, mediates disputes, gently declines Celia Stewart’s romantic advances, then resigns seeking independence.
28 March	Ross Maybury	John Banas	Ross hosts a talk show featuring Donald Fisher and Bobby Simpson discussing Donald's son's novel and revealing Morag’s maternity secret.
4–5 April	Meat Axe	Joseph Dicker	Meat Axe returns as Leanne Dunn’s ex-boyfriend; violently confronts Martin Dibble leading to Leanne leaving with him.
18 April–17 August 1989, 8 September–23 October 1995	Brian "Dodge" Forbes	Kelly Dingwall	Dodge schemes for free meals, steals money, commits arson causing Philip Matheson’s death; becomes foster child of Fletchers; bullies Sally Fletcher; frames Simon Yates for arson; confesses leading to arrest; paroled in 1995, murders 'Mud' Roberts; frames Steven Matheson; kidnaps Kelly Watson; disappears following cliffside altercation.
20 April–16 May	Simon Yates	Christopher Saunders	Simon works at Bayside diner despite criminal background; dates Roo Stewart; faces harassment from Steven Matheson; framed by Dodge Forbes for arson before fleeing town.
2–9 May	Andrew Foley Senior	Alan Tobin	Estranged father seeking reconciliation with son Andrew Foley before passing away; leaves inheritance and apology.
10 May 1989 – 22 February 1990	Howard West	Richard Rowe	Childcare Services official who places Dodge Forbes with Fletchers; investigates abuse claims against John Newton; revokes then reinstates Donald Fisher's guardianship of Viv Newton during murder allegations.
11 May	Peter Braithwaite	Ron Blanchard	Insurance assessor questions Celia Stewart’s claim after store fire due to unusually high payout request.
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 unimpressed by Frank Morgan's lack of university education but convinced by Martin Dibble to sign development contracts.
2 June	Claire Bedford	Linda Anning	Peter Bedford’s wife attending dinner with Fletcher family.
8 June–18 July	Flynn	Mark McCann	Macklin labourer who leads strike against Martin Dibble’s behavior; later aids in rescuing Marilyn Chambers.
13 June	Jay Everett	Andrew Doyle	Motivational speaker temporarily managing Macklin office; energizes Martin Dibble but struggles to motivate Roo Stewart amid family issues.
6 July–13 September	Nina Olivera	Raquel Suarstzman	Friend of Stacey Macklin who forms music group Image with Lance Smart, Martin Dibble, and Marilyn Chambers; leaves for Los Angeles following contract dispute.
11 July	Beulah	Robyn Gurney	Homeless woman who assists Viv Newton during her period of homelessness.
19 July	Sgt. Col Baker	Simon Westaway	Investigates Dodge Forbes regarding stolen car accident initially blamed on Steven Matheson.
21 July–1 August	John Newton	John Gregg	Reverend and abusive father of Viv and Tammy Newton; confines Viv in cupboard; children rescued by locals; custody battles result in supervision orders and eventual loss of custody after court threats.
27 July 1989 – 25 May 1990	Tammy Newton	Katy Edwards	Younger sister of Viv Newton manipulated by father John; escapes abuse with Viv; reunites with estranged mother Angela Newton beginning new life in Queensland.
9 August 1989 – 16 April 1990	Rex Wilson	Barry Donnelly	Matt Wilson’s uncle serving on local council; employs Matt as beach inspector; shuts down Andrew Foley's advice center; resigns following heart attack.
9 August	Freddie Hudson	Mark Arbib	Student visiting Andrew Foley’s youth advice center located at Bayside diner.
18–31 August	Ross Keating	James Gleeson	Estranged uncle of Sally Keating seeking custody but Sally chooses to remain with Fletchers; departs alongside wife Louise Keating.
23–31 August	Louise Keating	Felicity Soper	Wife of Ross Keating unable to have children due to ovarian cancer surgery; forms bond with niece Sally prior to departure.
29 August 1989, 23 March 1990	Len Baxter	Uncredited / Damian Cudmore	Vicki Baxter’s father who reacts angrily when Vicki falsely accuses teacher Grant Mitchell of molestation resulting in temporary suspension.
29 August–10 November	Danny Farnsworth	Justin Connor	Son of convicted Gordon Farnsworth seeking vengeance against Morag Bellingham through threats and psychological manipulation; dates Bobby Simpson before fleeing town upon exposure.
30 August 1989 – 8 July 1996	Chris Hale	John Meillon Jr.	Police constable involved in numerous investigations including key arrests; promoted to sergeant; causes accidental hit-and-run killing Shane Parrish; confesses under guilt leading to suspension.
11 September	Doctor Ellis, Doctor Williamson, Ian McTavish, Samantha Walker, Millicent Staples, Henry Whiting, Sylvia Wilson, Rory Heywood, Mick, Chas, Rosemary White, Zac Burgess, Drew Howard	Marilyn Allen / David Whitford / Noel Trevarthen / Fiona Shannon / Julie Haseler / Patrick Ward / Marie Armstrong / Gregor Jordan / Bruce Samazan / Richard Huggett / Zoe Bertram / Mark Conroy / Ignatius Jones || Various roles including medical professionals treating Tom Fletcher's health issues; Ian McTavish pursues legendary creature sightings; Samantha informs Ailsa Stewart about niece Emma Jackson; Millicent strands Adam Cameron on an island; Henry owns hot dog stand later acquired by Celia Stewart; Sylvia is Rex Wilson’s spouse; Rory Heywood is shark attack victim whose true identity is revealed posthumously by Rosemary White; Mick is a drug-addicted friend disrupting Stacey Macklin's life; Chas operates at pool hall hustling players; Zac Burgess hunts sharks causing local tensions before departing town; Drew Howard produces Marilyn Chambers’ game show appearance where she embarrasses him.

External links

• Cast and characters on the Official Australian Home and Away site
• Cast and characters on the Official UK Home and Away platform
• Cast and characters listed on the Internet Movie Database