Australia's very 'first reality TV star' Noeline Donaher has died, three decades after stepping away from the spotlight.
The TV show, Sylvania Waters, followed the lives of Noeline Baker and Laurie Donaher of 48 Macintyre Crescent in the Sydney waterside suburb of Sylvania Waters over a half-year period. The show also featured her son Michael, his brother Paul, and Paul's pregnant girlfriend Dione.
Laurie's son Mick, his daughter-in-law Yvette, and their children were also on the popular show. It only aired over 12 episodes for three months in 1992, and ever since then, Noeline stepped away from the spotlight. It is believed she died in May of last year. Her partner Laurie's son Mick announced the news on a racing Facebook group the family were part of.
"Dad has asked me to share with you all... the sad news that Noeline Donaher, his partner 40 years, recently passed away," he posted. Mick went on the share a few memories of Noeline's love for racing and posted a few throwback photos of her and her husband over the years.
Fans and friends paid tribute, with one user writing: "Very sad news. RIP Noeline. It was always great when you and Laurie were at race meetings here in Melbourne. On Sylvania Waters what was her famous saying, 'For God's sake Laurie, One day'." Another posted: "Sad news Mick, condolences to you Laurie and family, we had a lot of fun in the olden days, R I P Noeline."
When it first aired, there were mixed reactions as many were shocked about the family being crass while fans in the UK loved the concept of real-life 'Neighbours from hell'. The Donaher family moved to the Gold Coast and then to the Mid-North Coast after leaving their famous home.
Speaking about the impact of the show, TV historian Andrew Mercado once said: "It had a huge impact when it was aired because it was our first “reality porn” show, with Big Brother following afterwards, and everyone watched as back then we only had the five free-to-air channels.
“As a result, Sylvania Waters was branded as being bogan and full of people with a lot of money who liked to drink a lot too. I’m not sure it ever got away from what that show did to it. People complained that their lives were taken out of context, but we all loved to watch it.”
Real estate agent described how the show made the area popular for potential buyers. “The TV series really put Sylvania Waters on the map but now it’s taken off dramatically,” agent Eric Guiotto said.
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