Neighbours (Channel 7 – Channel 10 1985, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan)

Soap drama series. Neighbours concerns itself with the residents of Ramsay Street in a suburban area of Melbourne. The show had a pretty troubled start beginning life on the seven network the show was cancelled after 171 episodes before being picked up by rival station Channel Ten. The show only really took off after being broadcast in the UK, shown at lunchtimes and teatimes the show became a big hit its two new younger stars Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan moved to the UK and became major stars. The two main families for years were the Robinsons (headed by father Jim) and the Ramsays who lived next door to each other.

Other major characters included the extremely finicky Harold Bishop and his wife Madge. Jim’s son Paul transformed himself into a JR style businessman running Lassiters (a hotel/bar which plays a major part in the show). Another major character was the extremely nosey gossip Mrs Mangel (her layabout son Joe later moved into Ramsey Street). Over the years many new families have come and gone but the basic premise has remained unchanged. Barry Crocker who sang the theme tune was a former actor starring in the cult film The Adventures of Barry McKenzie. Neighbours has been seen in over fifty countries around the world.

Neighbours celebrated its 20th anniversary on 18 March 2005, several major characters from the past returned to the show to help celebrate including Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis), Lucy Robinson (Melissa Bell) and Annalise (Kimberley Davies).

production details
Australia | Channel 7-Channel 10-Grundy | x30m-e | Broadcast from 18 1985-continuing

Creator/Producer: Reg Watson
Theme Music: Tony Hatch, Jackie Trent
Sung by Barry Crocker (the actor who starred in the cult film The Adventures of Barry McKenzie).

important cast members have included
ANNE HADDY as Helen Daniels
ALAN DALE as Jim Robinson
KYLIE MINOGUE as Charlene Robinson
JASON DONOVAN as Scott Robinson
CRAIG MacLACHLAN as Henry Ramsay
STEFAN DENNIS as Paul Robinson
VIVIEN GRAY as Mrs Mangel
MARK LITTLE as Joe Mangel
PETER O’BRIEN as Shane Ramsay
PAUL KEANE as Des Clarke
FIONA CORKE as Gail Robinson
GUY PEARCE as Mike Young
LYNDA HARTLEY as Kerry Bishop
BEN GEURENS as Toby Mangel
GILLIAN BLAKENEY as Caroline Alessi
GAYLE BLAKENEY as Christina Alessi
MAGGIE DENCE as Dorothy Burke
KRISTIAN SCHMID as Todd Landers
LUCINDA COWDEN as Melanie Pearson
TERENCE DONOVAN as Doug Willis
SUE JONES as Pam Willis
NICOLA CHARLES as Sarah Beaumont
IAN SMITH as Harold Bishop
ANNE CHARLESTON as Madge Bishop
TOM OLIVER as Lou Carpenter
JACINTA STAPLETON as Amy Greenwood
JESSE SPENCER as Bill Kennedy
ALAN FLETCHER as Karl Kennedy
KYM VALENTINE as Libby Kennedy
JACKIE WOODBURNE as Susan Kennedy
DAN PARIS as Drew Kirk
REBECCA RITTERS as Hannah Martin
IAN RAWLINGS as Philip Martin
AILSA PIPER as Ruth Martin
RYAN MOLONEY as Toadfish
DANIEL MacPHERSON
BROOKE SATCHWELL as Anne Wilkson
ANDREW BIBBY as Lance Wilkinson
JONATHAN DUTTON as Tad
PHOEBE BRIGHT as Simone
HOLLY VALLANCE as Felicity
SHANE CONNER as Joe