Actor Sheila Kennelly, star of stage and TV screen, dies on her beloved farm

Sheila Kennelly on the set of the 2006 documentary on the 1970s hit show Number 96.Quentin JonesSheila Kennelly became a household name in the 1970s for playing the wig-wearing barmaid from Norma’s Bar who called everyone “ducky” in the TV series Number 96. Her long career, however, also included roles in radio and theatre, and working the land on her Hunter Valley farm.

Sheila Smith was born on December 28, 1937, in West Sussex and spent her early years in Brighton, England. She has died aged 88. After moving to Australia in 1950, she began working at George Edwards’ Radio Productions, originally transcribing radio serials before moving into casting. However, she was also studying acting and soon she was getting work as a character actor, often being cast in roles much older than she really was.

Performing under her mother’s maiden name, Sheila worked for the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, Arts Council, Independent Theatre, Union Repertory and Neutral Bay’s Music Hall.

She married actor Chris Christensen in 1965 but tragically, he died two-and-a-half years later from an incurable heart disease.

Having moved with him to a farm in the lower Hunter Valley, Sheila stayed on and with the help of her “wonderful” neighbours, she continued to act in TV series like Crackerjack, You Can’t See Round Corners and Division 4. All her acting money was used to keep the farm going, where she would name cows after characters she had played, and to buy such “luxuries” as an indoor toilet.

In 1972, Sheila was cast in Number 96 as Norma, a barmaid who worked at a nearby pub and was married to madcap inventor Les Whittaker (Gordon McDougall). Having “deep-seated misgivings” about appearing in such a controversial series, Sheila wore a brassy blonde wig so no one would recognise her, and she also refused to sign a nudity clause.

Sheila Kennelly (Norma) and Gordon McDougall (Leo) in Number 96.Fairfax MediaThe 1987 cast of Home and Away from left: Adam Willits as Steven, Roger Oakley as Tom Fletcher, Kate Ritchie as Sally, Vanessa Downing as Pippa Fletcher, Alex Papps as Frank, Helena Bozich as Lynn, Sheila Kennelly as Floss, Ray Meagher as Alf, Sharyn Hodgson as Carly, Frank Lloyd as Neville.Fairfax MediaAdvertisementTo her horror, however, the Whittakers moved into the building and opened a wine bar.

In the book Number 96: 50th Anniversary Album, Sheila wrote: “Norma had to be seen without her work wig at breakfast, cigarette dangling from lips, frowsy and rather irritable, and the real Sheila was revealed in uncomfortable truth”.

Sheila Kennelly (Floss) and Frank Lloyd (Neville) in Home and Away in 1988.Fairfax MediaThen, after Norma posed for a portrait, it was revealed to show her in the nude. Having refused to strip down to her undies and pose for the Channel 10 artist Eunice Dyer, Sheila later admitted that at least Norma was given “a beautifully tilted bosom which I much preferred to the real thing!”

On-screen husband Les was killed off in the show’s infamous bomb blast in 1975, while Norma was left critically injured and trapped underneath a cigarette machine. She survived, was romanced by younger garbo Weppo (Roger Ward) and then aristocratic brother-in-law Andrew (also Gordon McDougall).

She left during the show’s final year, but was one of just two original characters brought back to appear in the last episodes in 1977.

Ross Higgins (Ted Bullpitt) and Kennelly (Rosa) in Kingswood Country in 1984.Fairfax MediaAfter 96, Sheila became a regular guest on daytime shows like The Mike Walsh Show, The Steve Raymond Show, Greek Variety Show and Keep Pace With Harriet.

She married mining engineer John Griffiths in 1980 and built a new house on the farm, while continuing to commute to Sydney for TV roles in A Country Practice, Return To Eden, Secret Valley, Anzacs, Sweet and Sour, The Flying Doctors and Come In Spinner.

In 1980, Sheila made a guest appearance in Kingswood Country as Rosa Bertolucci, the cheery Italian mother of Bruno (Lex Marinos). After Ted Bullpitt’s (Ross Higgins) wife Thel (Judi Farr) finally walked out on him, Rosa moved in to become his housekeeper, remaining until the show’s end in 1984.

Later, Sheila would return to the stage with roles in Farewell Brisbane Ladies, Curtains, Steaming and Choice.

Elaine Lee, pictured left, with David Sale and Sheila Kennelly. Quentin JonesSheila had regular TV work in 1988 in Home and Away playing Floss, a former carnival worker who lived in a caravan in Summer Bay. As one of the original characters, she was in the series for just over a year but would often return for special occasions and reunions. Her final TV role was a guest role in All Saints in 2006.

In retirement, Sheila continued to work the farm and stay in touch with her lifelong friends from Number 96 which included fellow farm owners Lis Kirby (Lucy) and Carol Raye (Amanda), and Elaine Lee (Vera) who filled her life with daily laughter and drama. They also starred together in Glenview High.

Elaine even taught Sheila how to read tarot cards for her role in Home and Away.

Sheila’s husband John died in 2009. Her grandson Owen moved into the old house on the farm and she loved spending time with his children.

After suffering a stroke, her family cared for her full-time after she asked to be taken home to her beloved farm and animals.

She is survived by her grandsons, Huw and Owen, his wife Claire, and great-grandchildren Harriet and Magnus.

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