Home and Away 2012

Steve Peacocke’s Bio

Stephen “Steve” Peacocke (born 30 October 1981) is an Australian actor. He is best known for his role as Darryl Braxton, on popular soap opera Home and Away.

Peacocke was born and raised in Dubbo, New South Wales and attended The Scots College. He spent three years unloading freight trucks and when he was 18, he spent a year working as a jackaroo in Burke, for which he worked for $3 an hour. A year later he went to the University of Newcastle and studied communications. During his time at university, Peacocke took a keen interest in rugby, which he later gave up after many injuries and while recovering from an injury he auditioned for a play, leading to many performances for Newcastle University Conservatorium Theatre Productions

Peacocke knew he wanted to be an actor from the age of 16. He had many performances on stage at Newcastle University, one of which he was awarded a City of Newcastle Drama Award for his portrayal of Ricko in Nick Enright‘s A Property of the Clan in 2004.He went on to act with playwright/director Agusta Supple on several productions, two of which are Stories from the 428 and Brand Spanking New, and he also had a role in Kit Brookman’s It Was Raining All Afternoon. Peacocke began his on-screen acting career in 2006 when he appeared in a small role in the award-winning Australian film Suburban Mayhem. His second feature is the 2011 film Burning Man, with Matthew Goode and Bojana Novakovic.

Peacocke began appearing on television in 2007, when he played the role of Zeb Hall in medical drama series All Saints. His other television credits include Packed to the Rafters, Rake and the television film Emerald Falls in 2008, which starred Georgie Parker. In early 2011, Peacocke received the role of River Boy, Darryl “Brax” Braxton on Australian soap opera Home and Away. His role as Brax on the show is one he has become well known for, featuring in many of the central storylines of the 2011 season.

Peacocke plans to work in American films in the future.

Dubbo native Steve Peacocke joins Home and Away as the eldest and most revered of the Braxton brothers – a loyal, reckless and feared member of the ‘River Boys’.

His natural knack for impersonations and performing led his brother to suggest pursing acting – and at 16 Steve knew that was what he wanted to do.

At 18 Steve followed the path of his older brother and spent a year working as a Jackeroo at a sheep and cattle station in Burke. He swapped the bush for the university and studied communications in Newcastle.

Steve’s lifelong passion for rugby hasn’t wavered through a list of injuries including broken ribs, shoulder, arm, and hand and having his front teeth knocked out.

While injured from football, Steve auditioned for a play and ended up performed in numerous Newcastle University Conservatorium Theatre Productions. In 2004, Steve was awarded a City of Newcastle Drama Award (CONDA) for his portrayal of Ricko in Nick Enright’s A Property of the Clan. Steve went onto work with playwright/director Augusta Supple on several productions including Stories from the 428 and Brand Spanking New.

On his theatre experience Steve says: “I fell in with good people and kept learning on the job in front of an audience.”

In 2006 Steve had his first feature film role in Suburban Mayhem, and has a role in the feature Burning Man (due for release in 2011). Steve’s television credits include a guest role All Saints and Rake.

His character’s arrival is set to shake up Summer Bay locals and police – confrontations will get physical and Brax starts a dangerous secret affair.

“Brax is naturally smart and charismatic, but he is pigeon-holed by Summer Bay; the locals don’t trust him – and perhaps with good reason.”

Sonia Todd’s Bio

Adelaide born Sonia Todd graduated from NIDA in 1985 and has since gone on to work extensively in the Australian industry, including five series of Police Rescue.

Sonia’s other television credits include The Potato Factory, Halifax f.p., Water Rats, Good Guys Bad Guys, Simone De Beauvoir’s Babies, Mother and Son, A Country Practice, McLeod’s Daughters and All Saints. She also played Sylvia in Scott Hicks’ feature film Shine.

Sonia’s work has been recognised with four AFI nominations (winning one for her work in Police Rescue), and a silver Logie in 1994 for ‘Most Popular Actress on Australian Television’.

On her Home and Away character of Gina, Sonia, herself a mother of two boys, says;”The thing I like most about my character is having three sons – Hugo, Xavier and Brendan. All three are great people to work with and professionally prepared.”

Sonia notes the pace of Home and Away and filming five episodes a week is a challenge, “I like working on television drama and not knowing where the character is going, but I also like working on film where you get to know the character over an intense, but often brief period.”

Sonia has produced two short films.

In terms of the future, Sonia sees producing, acting and more: “I’m open to opportunities, and I think your career chooses you.”

Shane Withington’s Bio

Shane Withington (born 22 August 1958 in Toowoomba, Queensland) is an Australian actor best known for his starring roles in the television series A Country Practice, as nurse Brendan Jones, and Willing and Abel, as Abel Moore. Withington also had a recurring role as Colin on Home and Away.

He had a guest star appearance in Strange Bedfellows, alongside Paul Hogan and Michael Caton. In 2008, he was in the BBC drama Out of the Blue, playing the detective in charge of investigating a murder. Since 2009, he has had a regular role on Home and Away, this time as John Palmer.

Withington co-starred in the play The Boys Next Door in 1992.

He is married to Anne Tenney, who played his character’s wife Molly Jones on A Country Practice.

With leading roles in some of Australia’s most successful television series over the last three decades Shane Withington has become a trusted and respected professional in the industry.

With a Logie for best actor under his belt there are few shows that Shane hasn’t made an appearance in. His credits include major roles in A Country Practice, Willing and Able, Flying doctors, The Family Business, Roys’ Raiders (BBC Production),Water Rats, David Williamsons’ Dogs Head Bay, All Saints and Home and Away, a leading role in 120 episodes of Out of the Blue (BBC Production), a highly acclaimed performance in the mini series of Rain Shadow (ABC) and many others.

His Film credits include Queen of the Road, Reprisal and the very successful Strange Bedfellows.

This experience shows with Shane’s Voice work with some of the top companies in Australia trusting him to get the message across exactly as intended. Wether it’s performing outrageous comedy for Australia’s leading FM stations or being the trusted voice for a Federal election campaign Shane’s versatility makes him one of RMK’s most popular voices.

Samara Weaving’s Bio

Samara was born in Adelaide on February 23, 1992 but grew up in Singapore, Fiji and Indonesia:

“I got to experience different cultures and lifestyles and I think that’s made me who I am. Because we moved on average every two years I was really shy about meeting other kids. I just wouldn’t talk to anyone for weeks so my parents thought that if they put me into a drama school I might be able to come out of my shell and it worked.”

Samara returned to Australia in 2004, and last year completed Year 12 in Canberra studying drama, arts, media and english.

Samara has performed in short films, dance and stage shows, with Singapore Dance Company, Canberra Youth Theatre and school productions. Samara has one younger sister, Morgan, and is the niece of well-known Australian actor Hugo Weaving, who starred in The Matrix trilogy. Her father Simon is a filmmaker, writer and lecturer at the University of Canberra.

In 2007, she played the lead role in short film The Cabbie, which was a finalist in the Lights, Canberra, Action short film festival. Samara also starred in the Australian drama Out Of The Blue. Samara lists Emma Thomson and Natalie Portman amongst her favourite actresses.

“Indigo and I are very different. She is so forward and not afraid to ask questions and confront people. She likes what she sees when she first meets Romeo and she is not shy in pursuing him.

“I think Indigo has grown up a lot since fans last saw her in Summer Bay. She is still dealing with her parents divorce and her father’s infidelity, but has a newfound maturity and ability to deal with her anger towards her father.
“I have loved returning to Home and Away and working with everyone again. It’s a fantastic place to work and I look forward to what’s next for Indigo.”

Robert Mammone’s Bio

Mostly Credited As: Robert Mammone
Country Of Birth: Australia
Birth Place: Adelaide, South Australia

Accomplished actor Robert Mammone returns to Summer Bay to reprise the role of Dr Sid Walker.

Robert’s first television role was Sons and Daughters as Tim Palmer. His body of work is rich and varied across film and television including a starring turn as Tony Mockbell in Underbelly, Water Rats, Dangerous, Satisfaction, Bordertown, G.P. Wildside, Neighbours, The Cooks, The Alice and Stingers.

His first movie role was alongside Russell Crowe in The Crossing.

His recent film roles include Swerve the sci-fi thriller Artic Blast and crime thriller Storage.

Rhiannon Fish Bio

Rhiannon Marie Fish (born 14 March 1991) is an Australian actress who first appeared on television at age eleven when she starred on Neighbours. She later starred as Rocky in the Disney Channel show As the Bell Rings. As of June 2010, Fish plays April Scott on Home and Away.

Fish was born in Calgary, Canada on 14 March 1991. She and her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, when she was four when her engineer father got a job transfer. Although they originally only planned to stay for 18 months, the family fell in love with Australia, extended their visa and made Melbourne their home.

Fish with her younger sister Miranda, went to school at Carey Grammer for years 1-6 where she was a/the school co-captain in her final year. She moved to Camberwell Girls Grammar School for years 7-12. Outside of school she took ballet, jazz, tap and funk classes at Bartuccio’s Dance School from 2000 to 2005 and studied musical theatre from 2001 to 2007.

In 2009 she graduated from The Children’s Performing Company of Australia (CPCA), where she performed in numerous musicals and went on two World Tours. In her last 5 years with the CPCA she was frequently a featured soloist. Her final performance was as Roxy from Chicago.

Fish first appeared on television at the age of eleven when she starred in Neighbours as Lisa Jeffries. She later received the role of Rocky in the Australian Disney Channel show As the Bell Rings. She starred in the feature film Playing for Charlie and she landed a world-wide Tresemme hair care commercial in 2009. Fish received the role of April Scott, the sister of Bianca Scott (Lisa Gormley), in Home and Away in 2010. Her character on Home and Away is different from the others, she is unique and does not care that she is different. She has strong opinions on the environment and is not afraid to express those and be herself.

Fish has been in a relationship with former Home and Away actor Lincoln Lewis since 2010.

Rhiannon recalls the audition process for Home and Away:

“It all happened so quickly. Monday was my first audition, I got a call back on Friday and by the next Monday I was sitting in the Home and Away make-up chair.

“I have watched the show my whole life and I was so nervous to meet everyone. On one of the first days, Ray Meagher was nice enough to sit down and have lunch with me, it was so surreal, I could not believe I was in Sydney with a role on the show, and having lunch with a television icon.

“I really love April. She is very unique and doesn’t care that she is different than other people. She has strong opinions on everything from the environment to fashion and is not afraid to express those and be herself.”

Rebecca Breed’s Bio

Born in Sydney on June 17, Rebecca wanted to act as long as she can remember, but an equal love of music saw her purse both with passion. Rebecca is not new to the screen, having filmed a six month stint on Blue Water High, currently on air. Rebecca also stars in the feature film Newcastle.

Rebecca has taken music and drama classes since she was a little girl, and completed years 11 and 12 on a music scholarship. During this period, she performed with various ensembles and toured around America as part of the school choir. Rebecca was also drama captain in year 12 and studied music at university for six months.

In her spare time, the self taught guitarist and pianist still loves singing and writing music. Rebecca also sews and likes to mix and match new and vintage fashions. Growing up with two older brothers, Rebecca tried all sports including surfing and skating. A supporter of Sydney FC, Rebecca loves playing and watching soccer.

About her character, Rebecca says “Ruby has gone through a lot and had to gain a level of independence I really admire. She is free-spirited and sure of whom she is. I love playing Ruby; she is cheeky and easy-going, but very passionate about her family.”

Rebecca describes herself as similar to Ruby in her love of nature, the bush and the beauty of the Australian landscape.

Rebecca had her singing debut in front of an audience at the 2009 Carols in the Domain concert.

Rebecca was born under the zodiac sign of Gemini.

Ray Meagher’s Bio

Ray Meagher (born 4 July 1944) surname pronouned “Marr” , is a veteran Australian character actor. He has appeared regularly in Australian film and television since the mid 1970s, and is notable as the longest continuing performer in an Australian television role, as Alf Stewart on Home and Away , having played the role since the first episode in 1988. He is the only original actor still with the series as of 2011. Meagher won the Gold Logie Award for his role in Home and Away in 2010

Meagher was born and raised on a sheep and cattle station in Queensland, before attending a boarding school on the Gold Coast from the age of nine. He became a keen sportsman at high school, Marist College Ashgrove in Brisbane, representing the school at a number of sports including rugby union, a sport which he ultimately played at state level.

Ray Meagher was born on July 4 in Roma, in Western Queensland, and grew up on a sheep and cattle station.

At the age of nine Ray went to boarding school on the Gold Coast hinterland of Queensland where he was a keen sportsman and developed an interest in acting. His stage debut came at the age of 11 when he played the Wicked Witch in the school’s pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

At high school in Brisbane, Ray excelled at sports and represented his school in tennis, swimming, athletics and football. After leaving school he played Rugby Union football and represented the State of Queensland in several games.

When some friends were auditioning for a kid’s pantomime at the Twelfth Night Theatre, Ray decided to go along too. He landed a very important role, that of a horse’s bum! “I had great aspirations to be the front end the next time around, so I went back for more”, he says.

His first play at the La Boite Theatre was A Refined Look at Existence. Around this time, Ray made his television debut, hosting an ABC-TV folk music show called Around Folk.

In the 1970s Ray moved to Sydney to star in a year-long role in the play Dimboola. He also began working on some ABC-TV series, including Ben Hall and Rush.

“I also earned a small role in the movie Mad Dog Morgan… I think mainly because I could ride a horse”, he says.

His credits since then include the mini-series The Great Bookie Robbery, A Fortunate Life, True Believers, Spit McPhee (a children’s telemovie) and The Fire in the Stone. Ray has appeared as a guest star in the television series of Prisoner, The Restless Years, Cop Shop and Skyways. He worked on the movies Breaker Morant and The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith and has won a Penguin Best Actor Award for his lead role in the telemovie Mail Order Bride. He also played the mechanic in Priscilla – the musical.

Ray says when he auditioned for the pilot of Home and Away he thought it may be only a few months’ work. Nearly two decades later, he is still with the show!

Ray says: “In the words of Albert Facey, I think I’ve had a fortunate life”.

For the past ten years Ray has appeared in Christmas pantomime productions in the UK, Belfast and Wales in such roles as Captain Hook in Peter Pan. He now beats veteran actor Kate Ritchie for being one of the longest serving actors on an Australian drama series.

Ray was born under the Zodiac sign of Cancer.

Lynne Mc Granger’s Bio

Lynne McGranger (born 29 January 1953) is an Australian actress best known for her role as Irene Roberts on soap opera Home and Away She is the second-longest serving cast member as she joined in 1992 in the show at the moment, taking over from Jacqui Phillips.

McGranger was originally a primary school teacher who trained at the Riverina College of Advanced Education in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales in 1975 where she had her initial actor training. Early roles included Rose in Bye Bye Birdie and Anita in West Side Story. After further experience with the Q Theatre in Penrith, west of Sydney, she started working in television and won a small part in The Flying Doctors. In September 1992 she joined the cast of Home and Away as a guest. She was made a permanent cast member in August 1993.

Lynne McGranger was born in the Sydney suburb of Paddington on January 29.

Before concentrating on her acting career, Lynne was a primary school teacher. She graduated from the Riverina College of Advanced Education in 1975.

Lynne was always interested in performing. She grew up learning ballet and modern dance. In 1982 and 1983, she rekindled her interest by studying acting, voice, dance, mime and gymnastics with Penrith’s Q Theatre.

She performed in several Q Theatre productions including Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and As You Like It and Alan Aykbourne’s How the Other Half Loves.

She also appeared in productions in Melbourne for the Anthill, Playbox and Theatreworks companies and has worked in cabaret and stand-up comedy.

In Melbourne, Lynne began working on some short film projects and has done television work with a guest role on The Flying Doctors. She has since appeared in the ABC telemovie Unit 64 (Street Angels) the ‘Gluttony’ episode of the ABC Seven Deadly Sins series and Skytrackers for the Seven Network.

In 1992, she joined the cast of Home and Away as a guest but became a permanent cast member in August 1993.

Lynne performs regularly in pantomimes throughout the UK at Christmas. To date she has performed in Brighton, Torquay, York and Ashton-under-Lyne and Southport in England.

Lynne lives in Sydney with her partner and their daughter.

Lynne was born under the Zodiac sign of Aquarius.