Joan Sydney
Joan Sydney (born 5 September 1938) is an English-Australian actress, known for her work in radio, theatre, television serials and soap opera and films Sydney emigrated to Australia from London in 1965 and started her career in theatre, before appearing on the small screen, where her best known roles include soap operas including "A Country Practice" as Maggie Sloane, "E Street" as Mary Patchett, "All Saints" as Mary Price and "Neighbours" as Valda Sheergold. She was the second actress to play the fictional Wandin Valley hospital matron in ACP after original Helen Scott. Her successor Anne Brennan  (Mary Regan) used the title of "Director of Nursing", though subsequently after Brannon left, the title was changed back to Matron, during the tenure of Rosemary Prior (Maureen Edwards). Biography. Early life. Joan Sydney was born in London, England, United Kingdom on 5 September 1938 and has had a long career in all genres of the entertainment industry, including radio, television, mini-series and made for television films. Career. After appearing on stage and film in her native England, Sydney made her screen debut aged 19 in the 1957 film version of English play "When We Are Married". She emigrated  to Perth, Western Australia in 1965, where she has become a staple of the small screen since 1978 and subsequently New South Wales She remains best known for her long-running Logie Award-winning role in the Seven Network rural series "A Country Practice" from 1983-1990 as Margaret "Maggie" Sloan, the no-nonsense but compassionate matron of the fictional Wandin Valley Bush Nursing Hospital. Sydney won the Silver Logie Award for Most Popular Actress for her performance in 1989. Whilst appearing in A Country Practice whilst also starring in a movie-length pilot for a subsequently unmade series in  1987 called "Sisterly Love". In 1993, after twelve seasons on air, A Country Practice was abruptly cancelled, but the rival Network Ten picked it up soon afterwards. Production was relocated from Pitt Town, NSW to Emerald, Victoria and, after having spent time in England, Sydney returned as Matron, one of a few actors including the late Joyce Jacobs and Andrew Blackman to transfer to the new ACP network relaunch In 1990, Sydney went on to another popular soap opera, "E Street" in the role of publican Mary Patchett. In 2002 she joined the long-running serial "Neighbours" as Valda Sheergold , initially on a semi-regular recurring basis, before becoming a permanent member of the cast for the 2007–2008 season. Apart from her more permanent roles she has also had guest roles in many other programs including sitcom "Mother and Son", and dramas "All Saints", "Something in the Air" and "Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries". In 2013 she featured in the telemovie "Cliffy", based on the life of Australian athlete Cliff Young. Personal life. Sydney's son Tony Braxton-Smith, was the former CEO of "Journey Beyond" (known then as "Great Southern Rail"). Sydney was the elder sister of actress Maggie  King. Theatre stage roles. SOURCE: AusStage Sydney has had roles in theatre in both England and then locally in Australia since 1968. Prior to her role in the telemovie "Cliff", in 2002 she toured in the production "Talking Heads" and "DeckChair" in 2005.