User:Conquistador2k6/List of Home and Away characters (1997)

Home and Away is an Australian soap opera. The following is a list of characters in order of first appearance. They were all introduced by the show's executive producer John Holmes. The 10th season of Home and Away began airing on the Seven Network on 13 January 1997. The first introduction of year was Tiegan Brook played by Sally Marrett. A Country Practice star Lorrae Desmond joined the cast as Isobel DuPre, Donald Fisher’s mother. Richard Grieve arrived as doctor Lachlan Fraser in March. Nick Hardcastle arrived as Tim O'Connell in April. Ritchie Gudgeon began playing Aaron Welles in May and was joined by Bree Desborough who took on the role of Aaron’s sister Justine a month later. Also in June Heath Ledger played the role of student Scott Irwin. July saw the arrival of Lachlan’s mother Diana, played by Kerry McGuire and younger brother, James. That month also saw the debut of Vinnie Patterson, played by Ryan Kwanten. Patrick Dickson joined the cast in September as Ian Routledge, a new love interest for Pippa Ross (Debra Lawrence).

Tiegan Brook
Tiegan Brook, portrayed by actress Sally Marrett, made her first appearance on 27 January 1997 and departed on 12 March 1999. Marrett quit the serial in order to focus on her studies. Marrett auditioned for the role with a casting agent and was initially offered a guest role, which later became a full-time one.

Tiegan arrives Summer Bay as a crisis care foster child, placed with Pippa Ross (Debra Lawrence) on a temporary basis. Tiegan causes trouble by taking a cheesecake from the fridge, blaming Sam Marshall (Ryan Clark), then after a lecture on sharing she makes a point of wearing one of Shannon Reed's (Isla Fisher) dresses without asking, before shredding Sally Fletcher's (Kate Ritchie) beloved books. The reasons for her behaviour in general and the latter incident in particular became clearer when Joey Rainbow (Alex O'Han) befriends her and learned she is illiterate. Tiegan's behaviour is largely an attention-seeking exercise because of her low self-worth. However, just as she starts to settle in in the Bay her social worker, Belinda Jackson (Maureen Green) returns with the news that she had been found a permanent placement. Tiegan requests to stay in Summer Bay with Pippa and Joey but is told told that would not be possible.

Tiegan returns a few months later after foster parents suffer a family tragedy, leaving them unable to care for her. As a result, she returns to Pippa. Her foster siblings are initially unwelcoming given Tiegan's previous behavior but she soon wins Sally and Shannon over but Sam is more difficult especially as he had hoped Aaron Welles (Ritchie Gudgeon) would be living with them instead. Tiegan is placed in remedial literacy classes at the school but is horrified to find it involves one-on-one tuition with principal Donald Fisher (Norman Coburn). However, Donald is able to motivate Tiegan and her skills improve.

Tiegan develops romantic feelings for Joey and after she kisses him he decides he likes her as well. Casey Mitchell (Rebecca Croft), who previously rejected Joey takes an interest him too and the girls have a catfight at school which both lands them in detention. Casey then backs off and Joey and Tiegan become a couple.

Tiegan clashes with Aaron's sister, Justine (Bree Desborough) when her boyfriend Danny Mackson beats up Sam but the two soon patch up their differences. Ian Routledge (Patrick Dickson), a widower comes to stay at the caravan park and Tiegan tries to set him up with Pippa, who had lost her husband Michael (Dennis Coard), the previous year. Pippa and Ian get together and move to the Carrington Ranges and newlyweds Travis Nash (Nic Testoni) and Rebecca (Belinda Emmett) take over the house and the park and the care of the kids.

Tiegan and Justine form a band with Gypsy Nash (Kimberley Cooper) called the Broken Dolls, a rival band to The Chick Magnets, formed of Joey, Aaron and Gypsy's brother Tom Nash (Graeme Squires). Vinnie Patterson (Ryan Kwanten) suggests the groups form as The Broken Magnets but Aaron and Tiegan are approached by another Band, Monkey Jam. Tiegan falls for lead singer, Colt ((Brendan Cowell). and sleeps with him during a rough patch with Joey. Aaron and Tiegan then leave for the U.S. but Tiegan returns several weeks later and reunites with Joey. Their relationship comes to halt after Joey is diagnosed with schizophrenia. Ian returns and asks Tiegan, Justine and Sam to join him and Pippa. In the end, Tiegan is the only one who joins them and she bids a tearful farewell to her friends.

Isobel DuPre
Isobel DuPre, played by Lorrae Desmond made her on-screen debut on 26 February 1997 and last appeared on 4 April 1997. Desmond's casting was reported several weeks ahead of her character's arrival. Further reports confirmed that Desmond would take on the role of the mother of established character Donald Fisher (Norman Coburn).

Of her character's exit which mirrored that of her previous role on A Country Practice, Desmond joked "So if ever you see me waving out the window of a car - watch it, I am going to cark it." Throughout her stint, Desmond was billed as a "Special Guest Star".

Isobel arrives in Summer Bay to visit Donald. She meets his wife Marilyn (Emily Symons) and daughter Rebecca (Belinda Emmett) and they are surprised to meet her and they all get along well. Doanld arrives home in shock to find his mother there and is less than civil towards her. It emerges that Doanld's bitterness stems from Isobel leaving his father when he was younger in order to further her career as an actress and see the world. Isobel then encourages Rebecca to do a primal screaming exercise. She then takes Rebecca to a nightclub, which does not sit well with Donald. Isobel causes her son further worry when she takes a ride with Travis Nash (Nic Testoni) on his motorcycle. Isobel prepares to leave but Donald talks her into staying and they reconcile somewhat. Rebecca discovers some pills in Isobel's bag and after suffering pains, she is forced to admit she is dying from cancer. When Drama teacher Anne Chen (Vina Lee) takes maternity leaves, Donald offers the position to Isobel. Her teaching methods are somewhat unorthodox as she gets estranged couple Liam Tanner (Peter Scarf) and Stephanie Mboto (Fleur Beaupert) to kiss during one lesson. Bert King (Peter Collingwood) shows an interest in Isobel and they begin a brief courtship. On Isobel's last day, Bert takes her on a hot air balloon ride and she leaves soon after in a white limousine to visit her sister Sophie in Adelaide. Bert joins Isobel several weeks later when she takes a turn for the worst. Following Isobel's death, Marilyn and Rebecca take a parachute jump in her memory.

Lachlan Fraser
Lachlan "Lachie" Fraser, played by Richard Grieve. He made his on-screen debut on 19 March 1997 and last appeared on 27 November 1998. Grieve had previously appeared in rival soap opera Neighbours. The actor told Jason Herbison from Inside Soap that "I'm thrilled, I'd been looking for a change for a while, so the chance to [...] start work on a different show is great. Grieve relocated from Melbourne to Sydney for the role. Andrea Jones from The Sun-Herald revealed that his character would be introduced as a new doctor working in Summer Bay's local hospital. For his portrayal of Lachlan, Grieve was nominated for the "Most Popular Actor" award at the 1998 Logie Awards. The episode featuring Lachlan's departure was nominated for the "Best Episode in a Television Serial" accolade at the 1998 AFI awards. The following year an episode featuring Lachlan's memorial service gained a nomination in the same category. A reporter from Inside Soap said that Lachlan was a "dreamboat" and that Grieve was popular in Home and Away than he was in Neighbours. A writer for Soap Stars said that Lachlan was the show's "dishiest doc".

Tim O'Connell
Tim O'Connell, played by Nick Hardcastle made his first appearance on 15 April 1997 and departed on 4 March 1998. In an interview with ABC in 2009, Hardcastle described the role as his "Big Break". Tim was introduced into the serial as a love interest for Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie)

Tim arrives in Summer Bay during a huge storm when he and his family are rescued at sea by Travis Nash (Nic Testoni) and Curtis Reed (Shane Ammann). Tim begins seeing Sally but the relationship suffers a setback when Terri Garner (Alyson Standen) arrests Tim for illegally smuggling his stepmother's family from Vietnam into the country. After being released on a good behavior bond, Tim returns to the bay and is shocked to find Sally has slept with Scott Irwin (Heath Ledger) and gets into a fight with him at the surf club. Tim and Sally then reconcile. Tim sustains a knee injury during the fight an exacerbates during a rugby game. Doctor Lachlan Fraser (Richard Grieve) advises Tim to stay off the knee to avoid permanent damage but he ignores his advice and injures himself further in the match. Tim alter takes a job working for Travis as deckhand on his boat.

Pippa Ross (Debra Lawrence), Sally's adoptive mother decides to leave town with her new partner Ian Routledge (Patrick Dickson), Sally assumes she will let Sally and Tim take over the house but are disappointed when Travis and his new wife Rebecca (Belinda Emmett) are lined up to move in and take over the responsibility of the house, caravan park and remaining foster children. Tim's jealousy gets out of hand when he sees Sally hugging Travis and spreads rumors about Travis liking younger girls. This is the final straw for the relationship and Sally dumps Tim and Travis then fires and evicts him. Tim then leaves town.

Aaron Welles
Aaron Welles Ritchie Gudgeon, made his first appearance on 12 May 1997 and departed in 1998. Gudgeon reprised his role for three episodes in 1999.

Aaron is found in Alf Stewart’s (Ray Meagher) bait shop. When he learns that Pippa Ross often takes in foster children, he is hopeful that he can stay with her and  but is disappointed when Sam Marshall (Ryan Clark reveals that Tiegan Brook (Sally Marrett) is returning to live them so there will be no room for him. However, Alf and his wife Ailsa (Judy Nunn)  invite Aaron to live with them. He quickly becomes best friends with new classmate Joey Rainbow (Alex O’Han). Vinnie Patterson (Ryan Kwanten) lets Aaron use his jet-ski but after Aaron gets off, Travis Nash (Nic Testoni) confronts him blaming him for soaking him with the Ski. He protests his innocence but neither Travis nor Alf believe him until Travis catches Vinnie. Justine (Bree Desborough), Aaron’s half-sister arrives in the bay and he is worried as she has a heroin addiction and takes the blame for her when she drops a bag of drugs in the diner. Aaron dates Casey Mitchell (Rebecca Croft) but not long after the pair are mugged. Angry that he was unable to protect Casey, Aaron buys a knife for and begins hanging around the scene of the mugging, hoping to see his attacker again. Travis, intervenes and convinces Aaron to let matters go. When Year 11 are involved in prank war with student teacher Brett Egan (Emmanuel Marshall), Aaron helps in the prank but it back fires when Donald Fisher (Norman Coburn) gives the class a severe lecture and lengthy detention. Matters are not helped when Casey leaves to join her father Stuart (Mark Lee) in New York.

Aaron is incensed to find Vinnie and Justine are attending a rally for Christine McKenzie (Linda Newton), a right-wing politician who favours the deportation of foreigners, as he himself is mixed race. Aaron later dates Lillian Reynolds (Nitya Gell) but tires of her snobbish ways. It is soon revealed Lillian has been selling drugs at Summer Bay High. Donald is unable to expel her without revealing her identity so Aaron, Justine and Tiegan follow Joey’s plan of excessive niceness until Lillian caves and leaves of her own accord. Aaron competes with Tom Nash (Graeme Squires) for the attentions of another girl, Leila (Michelle Fondacaro) but it comes to nothing as Leila is not interested in either boy but enjoys seeing them make fools of themselves.

Shortly after Aaron, Joey and Tom form a band called the Chick Magnets, managed by Vinnie, who is also managing another band The Broken Dolls consisting of Justine, Tiegan and Tom’s sister, Gypsy (Kimberley Cooper). The groups merge as the Broken Magnets then are late known as Frenzy Aaron and Tiegan are then offered the chance to join another band, Monkey Jam and they accept. Justine is horrified when she learns of the drug culture within the band but Aaron only pretends to get high. Alf and Ailsa are apprehensive about Aaron’s decision to quit school weeks before the completion of Year 12 but ultimately let him go. Aaron returns in early 1999 and goes on a camping trip with Joey. He is shocked to discover Joey is smoking marijuana and becomes even more concerned when Joey freaks out later on. Before leaving again, Aaron asks Tiegan and Irene Roberts (Lynne McGranger) to keep an eye on Joey.

Scott Irwin
Scott Irwin played by Heath Ledger, made his first appearance on 21 May 1997 and departed on 4 June 1997.

Scott takes an interest in Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie) after she begins suffering from low self-esteem. However, Sally is unaware Scott is using her for his own gains. He coaxes her into stealing her adoptive mother Pippa Ross' (Debra Lawrence) keys to principal Donald Fisher (Norman Coburn) in order for Scott to gain access to some exam papers for the upcoming test on Modern Studies.

Scott and Sally go to a party on the beach and get drunk and sleep together in the back of Scott's friend's van. Sally regrets her actions and recent behavior and confesses to Pippa and Donald and implicates Scott, who is suspended for a week as a result. Scott, enraged begins harassing Sally in the diner and plots against revenge against her and frames her for stealing Donald's record by planting it in her locker. Aaron Welles (Ritchie Gudgeon) quickly saves Sally by planting the record in Scott's locker. When Donald organizes a locker search, he discovers the record and promptly expels Scott and has him transferred to Barnhurst. Scott loses his temper and menaces Donald in his office. Sally's boyfriend Tim O'Connell (Nick Hardcastle) finds out and gets into a fight with Scott in the surf club when Scott chases after Sally and injures his knee as a result. Scott then leaves.

Justine Welles
Justine Welles played by Bree Desborough, made her first on-screen appearance on 5 June 1997 and departed on 7 April 2000.The character of Justine was Desborough's first on-going television role. Justine was initially a guest character and Desborough began filming her first scenes in March 1997. She returned as a permanent cast member the following month. In January 2000, it was announced Desborough had decided to leave Home and Away. For her portrayal of Justine, Desborough was nominated for "Most Popular New Talent" at the 1998 Logie Awards.

Diana Fraser
Diana Fraser played by Kerry McGuire, made her first appearance on 1 July 1997 and departed on 7 October 1999. McGuire reprised her role in 2005 for several weeks.

Diana is first seen when her son Lachlan (Richard Grieve) brings his girlfriend Shannon Reed (Isla Fisher) to meet the family. The struggle to keep up appearances becomes too much and her husband's Peter's (Helmut Bakaitis) gay affair is uncovered. She then reappears when she learns Lachie is the father of Chloe Richards' (Kristy Wright unborn baby and immediately tries to split them up by suggesting Lachie take a job in the city and tries to talk Chloe into attending a university further away. Both refuse, leaving Diana disappointed. She then tries to get Claudia Miles (Helen Dallimore) to break Lachie and Chloe up but this proves futile. The next trick up Diana's sleeve is trying to blackmail Chloe over her previous speed addiction. Irene Roberts (Lynne McGranger) wants Diana off and she leaves again.

Diana returns shortly after Chloe gives birth to a daughter, Olivia. When Lachie falls ill after a brain tumor and his condition detirioates, Chloe contacts Diana and both battle over Lachie's care. In the end Diana gets her way and Lachie is flown overseas to America for further treatment, leaving Chloe devastated. Diana returns in November and pays for Chloe and Olivia to visit Lachie for Thanksgiving but Chloe discovers Lachie now has a new partner. Chloe then falls for Lachie's younger brother, James (Michael Piccirilli), much to Diana's displeasure and she sets about trying to break them up. She also antagonizes Irene at the couple's engagement party while cutting the cake.

After Lachie's death, Diana schemes to get custody of Olivia but all her interferences serves to do is increase the end of James and Chloe's marriage. After Diana tries to kidnap Olivia, she is foiled by Peter and Chloe then takes Olivia and leaves Summer Bay. Diana causes further friction in the bay by attempting to buy the Carvan Park and redevelop it. However, Joel Nash (David Woodley), Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher) and Colleen Smart (Lyn Collingwood) successfully outbid her.

Six years later following Chloe's death which leaves Olivia (now played by Ivy Latimer) orphaned, Diana arrives at the funeral and battles Irene for custody of her granddaughter. Despite Olivia wanting to stay with Irene, Diana is awarded custody by a mediator and takes a distraught Olivia home. Olivia phones Irene and tells her she hates living with Diana and Irene visits but Diana orders her to leave. James returns and sets up a meeting between Diana and Irene and informs them that he is the executor of Chloe's will which stipulates that he will receive custody of Olivia. Diana is enraged and tells Irene she has turned Olivia against her and she leaves defeated.

For her portrayal of Diana, McGuire was nominated for the "Best Bad Girl" award at the 1999 Inside Soap Awards

James Fraser
James Fraser made his first appearance on 1 July 1997, played by Sam Meikle in a guest role. In 1998, Richard Grieve decided to leave Home and Away. Producers had invested much time into developing a relationship between Grieve's character Lachlan and Chloe Richards (Kristy Wright) and wanted them to continue. They decided to reintroduce James and paired him with Chloe instead. But the role was recast and Michael Piccirilli won the role. He told Jason Herbison from Inside Soap that "the purpose of my character was to come in and marry the girl who was having my brother's baby." Piccirilli was modelling in London when he submitted a screen test video tape to series producer Russell Webb. He thought that Piccirilli was perfect for the role and arranged a meeting with him. The actor travelled to Sydney and secured the role. The character was officially promoted to the regular cast on 15 October 1998. A writer from the serial's offical website said that an upper-class upbringing, James is an "easygoing and likeable" person. His mother, Diana (Kerry McGuire), enjoys interfering in her children's personal lives. But unlike Lachlan, James is likely to stand up to her and refuses to tolerate her interfering. Piccirilli returned to the show in 2005. His return storyline features him returning to Summer Bay to gain custody of Olivia.

Vinnie Patterson
Vincent "Vinnie" Patterson, played by Ryan Kwanten, made his first on screen appearance on 14 July 1997 and departed on 1 March 2002. For his portrayal of Vinnie, Kwanten was nominated for the "Funniest Character" award at the 1999 Inside Soap Awards. Kwanten was later nominated for "Most Popular Actor" at the 2002 Logie Awards. Mike Larkin of the Daily Mail branded Vinnie a "blundering oaf." Anna Higgins of Yahoo! Entertainment said Vinnie was "a schemer, wannabe womaniser and perpetual optimist."

Ian Routledge
Ian Routledge played by Patrick Dickson, made his first appearance on 9 September 1997 and his last on 25 February 1999.

Ian arrives in Summer Bay to rent a caravan from Pippa Ross (Debra Lawrence). He and Pippa get on well and there is an attraction between the two but Pippa feels guilty about beginning a relationship with Ian as her husband Michael (Dennis Coard) died 18 months earlier. Ian, himself is a widower and when Irene Roberts (Lynne McGranger) accepts the offer of a date from him, Pippa becomes a little jealous. Tiegan Brook (Sally Marrett) is keen for Pippa to be happy again but Justine Welles (Bree Desborough) has reservations, however after Ian risks his life to save Justine during Cyclone Raymond, she is grateful and changes her mind. Ian prepares to leave several weeks later and invites Pippa to join him on a trip around the world but she declines. He returns several months later and they spend the holidays together. Ian asks Pippa again and she accepts and she and her son Christopher (Shaun Wood) leave Summer Bay with him. They later settle in the Carrington Ranges.

Ian returns to Summer Bay to let the Nash family, who have since assumed the care of Tiegan, Justine and Sam Marshall (Ryan Clark), know that Pippa will not be returning and has invited the children to live with them. All three are torn between staying in the bay and moving with Ian and Pippa but in the end only Tiegan decides to go. Ian then leaves once again and Tiegan follows a month later. Ian and Pippa marry in 1999 and Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie) attends their wedding. When Pippa returns in 2003 for Sally's wedding to Flynn Saunders (Joel McIlroy), she reveals that Ian has hard a hard time accepting Christopher's (now played by Rian McLean) homosexuality.