Olivia McPherson

Neighbours

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

Neighbours is a long-running Australian soap opera that first aired on 18 March 1985. Below is a compilation of characters introduced throughout 2004, all under the leadership of executive producer Ric Pellizzeri. The show's twentieth season commenced broadcasting on 19 January 2004. Notable arrivals include Svetlanka Ristic, the mother of Liljana Bishop, who appeared in February; her grandson Luka Dokich joined the cast in September; Ben Barrack took on the role of Gus Cleary in February; and police officer Allan Steiger was introduced in March. The Timmins family was brought in starting with Stingray in March, followed by matriarch Janelle in November. Additional characters included Joe Scully’s brother Tom Scully in May, the corrupt officer Olivia McPherson in June, the series’ inaugural recurring lesbian character Lana Crawford in August, psychiatrist Jeremy Levi in September, and finally, Carmella Cammeniti’s mother Lucia Cammeniti arriving in November.

Svetlanka Ristic

Svetlanka Ristic, brought to life by Deidre Rubenstein, made her debut on 13 February 2004 as the authoritative mother of Zoran and Liljana Bishop. Alongside her husband, she ran a vineyard located near Perth. During a visit to Liljana’s household in Melbourne, Svetlanka uncovers financial difficulties and attempts to exert emotional pressure by offering funds and feigning illness. She threatens to disclose Liljana’s concealed teenage pregnancy—a secret involving a stillborn infant taken from her at birth. Despite ongoing conflicts, Svetlanka keeps a relationship with her granddaughter Serena and makes multiple returns, including one where she offers a $100,000 gift that causes friction within the family. She develops a rapport with Harold Bishop but ultimately departs amid escalating familial strife. When David, Liljana, and Serena perish in a plane crash, Svetlanka is deeply grieved but unable to attend their funeral due to her emotional state.

Gus Cleary

Gus Cleary, portrayed by Ben Barrack, entered the series on 17 February 2004 as a troubled oil rig worker and acquaintance of Max Hoyland. Originating from an affluent background, Gus battles mental health challenges including schizophrenia—a condition Barrack studied thoroughly for an accurate portrayal. After losing his job due to carelessness, Gus arrives in Erinsborough where he secretly bids on Max’s family home during an auction and manipulates those around him. He begins dating Izzy Hoyland but exhibits controlling tendencies. His conduct deteriorates further as he drugs Max and engages in break-ins. Eventually committed to a psychiatric facility, Gus returns briefly before being killed by Paul Robinson during the Lassiter’s fire incident. He later appears posthumously through flashbacks in subsequent storylines.

Allan Steiger

Senior Sergeant Allan Steiger, brought to life by Joe Clements from March 2004 until July 2007, was introduced as a police officer who eventually became central through his daughter Pepper Steiger’s narrative and his involvement with Janelle Timmins. Initially, Allan experiences conflict with trainee Stuart Parker but later becomes a professional ally. He conducts self-defence workshops for local women and handles significant investigations such as the Lassiter's fire and the framing of David Bishop for fraud. Allan’s personal journey includes reconciling with his ex-wife Christine Rodd, who discloses she is a lesbian, and developing a romantic relationship with Janelle Timmins, which leads to their marriage before they move to the Solomon Islands.

Stingray Timmins

Stingray Timmins, portrayed by Ben Nicholas, made his first appearance on 11 March 2004 as the youngest child of Janelle and Kim Timmins. Nicholas secured the role shortly before filming commenced and described joining Neighbours as a "dream come true."

Tom Scully

Tom Scully, enacted by Andrew Larkins, debuted on 5 May 2004 as Joe Scully’s younger brother and a Catholic priest. His storyline involved a contentious romantic involvement with Susan Kennedy that prompted him to leave the priesthood. Tom later returns in 2007 as Principal of Erinsborough High School, sparking tension with Susan and Karl Kennedy before resigning to relocate to Ireland.

Olivia McPherson

Olivia "Mac" McPherson, played by Silvia de Crespigny from June to September 2004, was introduced as a police officer who dates both Jack Scully and Stuart Parker. Olivia struggles with corruption influenced by her drug use and nightlife habits, leading her to commit offenses including staging robberies. Her arc concludes with her admitting her wrongdoings to Stuart prior to exiting the police force.

Lana Crawford

'Lana Crawford, portrayed by Bridget Neval starting August 2004, was Neighbours first openly lesbian character. Lana shared the show’s inaugural on-screen lesbian kiss with Sky Mangel and is introduced as Sindi Watts’ cousin.

Luka Dokich

Luka Dokich, played by Keelan O'Hehir from September through November 2004, is Liljana Bishop’s son who was given up for adoption at birth. Luka arrives in search of his biological family and unknowingly becomes involved in an incestuous relationship with his half-sister Serena Bishop before the truth is uncovered. His storyline delves into themes of family secrets and identity struggles.

Jeremy Levi

Jeremy Levi, portrayed by Roger Neave between September 2004 and June 2009, served as the psychiatrist at Erinsborough Hospital. He treated several main characters including Izzy Hoyland for nightmares; Boyd Hoyland for schizophrenia (later diagnosed as a brain tumour); Sindi Watts for delusions; Stephanie Scully following mental health issues; Paul Robinson after brain surgery-related memory loss; Nicola West for paranoia; Zeke Kinski after amnesia caused by accident trauma; Miranda Parker following arrest under the Mental Health Act; and evaluated the Kennedy family during surrogacy proceedings.

Lucia Cammeniti

Lucia Cammeniti, portrayed by Maria Mercedes from November 2004 through multiple guest appearances until 2007, is Carmella Cammeniti’s strong-willed mother who takes charge of family enterprises during her husband Rocco’s incarceration. Lucia is depicted as controlling and scheming; she coerces daughter Rosetta into an arranged marriage while testing Carmella's boyfriend Connor O'Neill's suitability. Additionally, Lucia meddles in family affairs surrounding Rosetta’s wedding plans and Carmella's pregnancy.

Janelle Timmins

Janelle Timmins, played by Nell Feeney since November 2004, is the matriarch of the Timmins family, mother to Dylan, Stingray, Janae, and Bree Timmins. Characterized as a straightforward country woman with bogan tendencies, Janelle’s arrival introduced fresh energy to the community life on Ramsay Street.

Others

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Context
23 January 2004–30 July 2007	Stanford Mundy	Michael Quinn	A surgeon at Erinsborough Hospital and colleague to Karl Kennedy. Performs a paternity test confirming that Paul Robinson and Oliver Barnes are not biologically related.
4 April	Ryan Swan	Patrick Williams	Ryan and his father John are attended by Sky Mangel, who identifies John as the individual responsible for her mother's death. John contemplates his decision to abandon hunting.
6 April	Sally Jeffries	Isabella Stephenson	Lisa Jeffries’ younger sibling. Gus Cleary attempts to entertain as a clown at her birthday celebration but fails.
13 April 2004–14 January 2005	Madeleine Lee	Madison Lu	Child of Lori Lee and Connor O'Neill, diagnosed with a severe ear infection requiring surgery financed by Connor.
4 June 2004–2 February 2005	Krystal	Estelle Andrewartha	A personal trainer who coaches David Bishop and Boyd Hoyland, encouraging Boyd to pursue bodybuilding and use anabolic steroids before he eventually leaves the gym.
28 June–5 July	Therese Bray	Susan Turner	Employee at the local Catholic church; resigns after overhearing private conversations involving Tom Scully and Susan Kennedy.
28 July 2004–25 February 2005	Caleb Wilson	Joss Kasper	Wealthy heir who dates Summer Hoyland, pressuring her to deepen their relationship before ultimately breaking up.
6, 13 September	Krishneel Nand	Curtis Fernandez	Nina Tucker's personal assistant; coordinates arrangements during their time on Ramsay Street.
13–14 September 2004, 7 December 2021–present	Rhonda Del Rubio	Rebekah Robertson	Attorney representing Karl Kennedy in divorce cases; later provides marriage counselling for Paul Robinson and Terese Willis, as well as therapy for various characters.
15 September–19 October	Travis Dean	Adrian Foley	Involved in disputes with Boyd Hoyland including threats, physical assault, arson, and a lawsuit over excessive force that is eventually dismissed.
27 September–30 November	Brendan Bond	Michael Wahr	Dates Lana Crawford; upon learning Lana prefers women, Brendan responds with homophobic remarks.
7 October	Buffy Only	Laura Gordon	Editor of the underground gay publication Leichen; briefly dates Lana Crawford before advising her to follow her true feelings.
17–29 November	Nick Sullivan	Angus Grant	Lori Lee's boyfriend who conflicts with Connor O'Neill; their relationship ends when Lori declines to relocate to Adelaide with him.
24 November 2004–1 February 2005	Doreen Cassidy	Anne Phelan	Charlie Cassidy’s sister; provides support during Charlie’s final days and encourages reconciliation between Charlie and his son Michael.
1 December 2004–12 January 2005	Georgina Harris	Adrienne Smith	Invites Lana Crawford to the school formal; they develop a connection before Lana departs for Canada.
10 December 2004–1 February 2005	Michael Cassidy	David Paterson	Charlie Cassidy’s son; initially suspicious of Lyn Scully and Stephanie Scully but later reunites with family following Charlie’s passing.

External links

• Complete cast and characters on the Internet Movie Database