Joan Sydney

Joan Sydney was born in London, England, United Kingdom and has had a long career in all genres of the entertainment industry, including radio, television, mini-series and made for television films.

After appearing on stage and film in her native England, Sydney made her screen debut in 1957 film When We Are Married. She emigrated to Perth, Western Australia in 1965,[4] where she has become a staple of the small screen since 1978. She remains best known for her long-running Logie Award-winning role as Maggie Sloan, the no-nonsense but compassionate matron of the fictional Wandin Valley Bush Nursing Hospital in the Seven Network drama A Country Practice from 1983 until 1990. Sydney won the Silver Logie Award for Most Popular Actress for her performance in 1989. Whilst appearing in A Country Practice she also starred 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.

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.