Vale: Janet Andrewartha

Much-loved actress Janet Andrewartha, best known for Neighbours has died, aged 72.

The Herald Sun reports she passed away peacefully at home on Friday, surrounded by family.

Janet appeared as Lyn Scully on Neighbours from 1999 until 2006 and then made sporadic returns to the show up until 2019.

She graduated from the National Theatre in 1979 then bagan to pick up roles in television, including at 10’s Nunawading studios.

“I think something like 1984 I came here to do Prisoner,” she told TV Tonight in 2010. “Then in 1999 I started as ‘Lyn Scully (on Neighbours) and I did seven years consecutively. Then I went away for theatre and other stuff for nearly three years and came back about mid-way through 2009.”

“I think Carson’s Law was being shot here, it was marvelous. I did one episode of that. I don’t think I’d done any other TV. I might have done some education stuff for the ABC, but I hadn’t done much screen. I was only just a new graduate,” she said.

“I got one episode playing Val Jellay’s daughter, I think. She was a stage person but she could do the small screen really well. It was incredible. Then she ended up coming into Neighbours for a while, playing my mother. Which I thought was hilarious.”

She would juggle both stage and television work during her time on and off the 10 soap, including or the Melbourne Theatre Company.

“The last one I did was Arthur Millers ‘All My Sons’ and I’d never done Miller. I’d done some other American playwrights but never Arthur Miller. What a jewel. Remarkable writing,” she said.

“I’ve had some lucky breaks with theatre. I seem to get some terrific roles, so I feel very fortunate. Same with TV. The characters I seem to be asked to play are so different to each other. The one before this character was ‘Marion Stewart’ in Embassy. It was a Grundy-ABC co-production.

“She was the ambassador’s wife and she was upper middle class with a very good education and a lot of money, so it was a completely different character to ‘scrubber’ Lynnie! When Lyn first came in she was a working class girl and of course before that was (Prisoner‘s) ‘Reb Keene’ who was a middle class girl but practically a psychotic. I just love the fact that I get to do the variety.”

Other credits included Seven Types of Ambiguity, Patrol Boat, Blue Heelers, Janus, Harrow, State Coroner, A Country Practice, Ground Zero and Amy.

She most recently featured in Fake and Safe Home both produced by Kindling Pictures. Producer Imogen Banks said, “It’s so sad.  She was an absolute delight and I feel very lucky to have worked with her. ”

Yet her regular return to Neighbours for guest appearances in 2016, 2017 and 2019 means she is always indelibly synonymous with the character of Lyn Scully.

“The essential core of Lyn is that she’s about good, old-fashioned ideals and morals and attending to religious beliefs. She’s following the rules and loving her children above everything else and putting family values first and has a strong sense of fair play and loyalty,” she said.

“People love coming back to this show. It’s a big family. It’s the cast which can change and change back and so on, and I’ve got good friends on the crew here. It’s amazing but it’s a great co-operative venture, the whole thing.

“I’m not behind bars anymore, just the coffee shop counter. Could do worse.”

“Everyone at Neighbours is deeply saddened by the passing of Janet Andrewartha. A wonderful colleague and a beautiful friend to many on the show, we remember her incredible talent as well as her love and laughter. You couldn’t help but smile around Janet. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this very difficult time,” said Executive Producer Jason Herbison.

“Janet was one of the finest actors of her generation, but more than that, she was an extraordinary woman. Passionate, political, curious, delightfully eccentric, generous and fun. To me she was a steadfast friend for over 45 years. I will miss her every day” said Jackie Woodburne.

Casting Director Jan Russ said, “It was devastating to hear this news (of her passing). She was such a vibrant, serene person and she will be greatly missed in the industry.

“RIP dearest Janet. Forever in our hearts and great memories.”

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Photo: Marnya Roth Photography