In the Australian soap, she portrayed Valda Sheergold.
Actress Joan Sydney from the television series Neighbours has reportedly passed away at 83.
According to a friend and coworker, the renowned television actor who played Valda Sheergold in the Australian soap opera, died quietly (via TV Tonight).
She had a long career in theatre, radio, and television. In 2007 and 2008, she was promoted to a full-time cast member on Neighbours after beginning as a semi-regular recurrent character.
She has performed in the plays My Fair Lady, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and others. Equus, Oliver!, The Importance of Being Ernest, Waiting for Godot Are You Being Served? on stage with Hello Dolly.
However, she is probably best known to Australian viewers for her over 450 appearances as Matron Sloane on A Country Practice between 1983 and 1990.
She even won the 1989 Logie Award for Most Popular Actress for her work on the show.
Sally-Anne Upton, a friend and coworker, is quoted in the article about a charity event that she organised.
Upton recalled that when he requested Joan to play Matron Sloane, “at first she was quite reluctant.” “Given how long Wandin Valley had been absent from our screen, she believed it wouldn’t work.
“I responded, “Are you kidding me?” You will be well-known to everyone. And it’ll be the show’s high point.
“And sure enough, without saying a word, she burst through the curtain as I was MC-ing the second half wearing a white nurse’s uniform and a 1970s nursing cap, bringing down the house. She was still in disbelief when she later entered the green room. Actually, I never!”
