Joan Sydney as Valda Sheergold. Photo: Fremantle
English-Australian actress Joan Sydney, best known for starring in Neighbours and A Country Practice, has died aged 83.
Her close friend Sally-Anne Upton announced her death in a social media tribute, saying Sydney passed away peacefully in her Sydney home on 28 December.
Sydney was known for her Logie-winning role playing Matron Maggie Sloane in A Country Practice between 1983 and 1990.
However her screen debut occurred when she was just 18, in the 1957 film version of English play When We Are Married.
She joined the Neighbours cast in 2002 playing Valda Sheergold on a semi-regular basis, before becoming a permanent cast member between 2007 and 2008.
She also had guest roles in shows including Something in the Air, Mother and Son, All Saints and Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.
Upton described the pair's blossoming friendship after meeting her at a fundraiser for the Australian Nurses Federation in the 1990s.
"I asked Joan if she would appear as Matron Sloane and at first she was very reluctant," Upton wrote.
"She thought it wouldn't work, as Wandin Valley had been a long time off our screen and I said, 'Are you kidding me? Everyone will know who you are and it will be the highlight of the show.'
"Sure enough, as I'm MCing the second half, she appeared through the curtain in her white nurses uniform and '70s nurses cap, no words spoken and brought the house down!"
Sydney often appeared alongside her younger sister and fellow actress Maggie King, who passed away in 2020.
"Thank you for all you have taught me, love, friendship, many memories shared that will be treasured forever," Upton said.
Fellow A Country Practice star Shane Withington wrote on social media that he adored Sydney.
"Comedy is never as easy as it looks and this lady made it look effortless," he wrote.
She is survived by her daughter and two sons.
- ABC
