Noeline Donaher, best known as real-life Australian soap star Sylvania Waters, has died.
Donaher has enjoyed a quiet life away from the spotlight since filming the reality series in 1992.
He is believed to have passed away in May 2023, and his partner Laurie’s son Mick announced the news in a Facebook group at the time.
“Dad has asked me to share with all of you… the sad news that Noeline Donaher, his partner of 40 years, recently passed away,” he wrote.
Sylvania Waters followed the family life of Noeline and her partner Laurie Donaher, who lived in the wealthy Sydney suburb of the same name.
Noeline Donaher, best known as real-life Australian soap star Sylvania Waters, has died.
The series also featured her teenage son Michael, his older brother Paul, who lived nearby with his pregnant girlfriend Dione, as well as Laurie’s son Mick, daughter-in-law Yvette and their two young daughters.
When originally screened in Australia and Britain, the series generated controversy over claims that it pandered to British stereotypes about Australians and targeted Noeline.
The show was filmed months in advance, with 12 episodes created.
Donaher has enjoyed a quiet life away from the spotlight since filming the reality series in 1992.
He is believed to have passed away in May 2023, and his partner Laurie’s son Mick announced the news in a Facebook group at the time.
Sylvania Waters was screened in the UK in 1993 and one reviewer claimed it was “Crazy Neighbours, Home and Away on Drugs”.
The Sydney Morning Herald at the time argued that the series was pandering to “all British preconceptions about Australians”.
Noeline tried to fight the backlash by doing talk shows and writing her own book, The Sylvania Waters Diary.
He also released a single called ‘No Regrets’ before stepping out of the spotlight.
Sylvania Waters followed the family life of Noeline and her partner Laurie Donaher, who lived in the wealthy Sydney suburb of the same name.
