Sally Wells

The character was created as the sister of Des Clarke (Paul Keane) and a new love interest for Henry Ramsay (Craig McLachlan).[1] In September 1987 it was announced that actress Rowena Mohr had been cast as Sally.[2] Of her casting Mohr said she was nervous because the serial was in its peak popularity at the time, but the cast helped her to settle in. The serial's producer axed the character, with Mohr citing that she felt they didn't think Sally fitted in with new storylines they were planning.[3] She then left to pursue projects in the UK, she later revealed that she would never reprise the role.[3]

Sally's introductory story featured her arriving in Erinsborough in search of her father, Malcolm Clarke (Noel Trevarthen). Upon her arrival she learns that Des is her half-brother.[4] Their backstory is explored and they discover that Malcom had a brief romance with Sally's mother Kate after he had abandoned Des and his mother Eileen Clarke (Myra De Groot). Malcolm repeats this behaviour and leaves Kate to bring up Sally alone.[4] Sally is characterised by her constant need to have things her own way. She has been described as a strikingly pretty woman, catching the attention of all the other male characters, especially Henry.[5] Mohr commented during an interview that Sally was controlling, going on to state: "Sally was a bit of a control freak really. I think she liked to think she was easy going but she wasn't at all and she didn't cope very well when things didn't go the way she planned. She was good fun to play actually because she did get a bit cranky at times and said what she thought. I think she was probably just trying to compensate for not really having any parents and having to make her own way in the world."[3]

As a love interest of Henry, the character was at the center of romantic dramas. Writers quickly introduced Nick Carrafa to play Henry's love rival Tony Romeo. Tony soon gets involved in their new relationship leading him and Henry to have a fist fight over Sally.[6] The feud begins when Henry witnesses Tony flirting with Sally. Carrafa told Mark Foster from Neighbours Who's Who that "Henry comes over claiming that Sally is his girl and Tony and Henry end up getting into a fist-fight in front of Lassiters."[7] Tony soon realises that Henry is lying and decides to out do his rival. Carrafa added "Tony finds out Henry and Sally aren't a 'unit' and he decides to ask her out. So he's still in there with a chance."[7]

Sally had been brought up in Perth by her mother Kate. She comes to Ramsay Street in search of her father, Malcolm. She finds out Des is her half-brother. Sally becomes close to Eileen. Together Des and Sally decide to track their father down. They later track him down and are surprised to find him living locally. Malcolm is happy to get to know his newfound children, they all become close.

Sally then decides to move into a flat locally and stays around. She lets Tony move in with her. Tony pretends he will marry Jane Harris (Annie Jones) when he learns his mother, Elinora (Kate Jason) is coming to town. Jane initially plays along with it, but is annoyed to learn Tony has been trying to romance Sally all along. Sally then starts dating Henry Ramsay, they get along well at first, spending much time together. Henry starts to adore her and they are smitten.

Des' wife Daphne Clarke (Elaine Smith) is killed in a car accident, Eileen has a nervous breakdown. These events begin to take their toll on Sally worrying about her newfound family. Malcolm wins tickets to travel to Europe, he asks Eileen and Sally to join him on his trip. Sally initially is not certain of what to do, but later decides it is the right thing to do. Henry is left devastated and pleads with her to stay with him but Sally leaves for her new life without Henry.

The BBC said Sally's most notable moment was "Finding out she had a brother she didn't know about – Des."[8]