Veteran Australian actress Sheila Kennelly died on Monday at the age of 88. Her death occurred at her home in New South Wales.
Kennelly was one of the original cast members of the Australian television drama series Home and Away, appearing from its pilot episode in 1988. She portrayed the character Floss McPhee, a carnival worker in a caravan.
At the time of the show's premiere, Kennelly was 50 years old. She appeared in the series throughout its first year, acting alongside veteran performers Ray Meagher and Kate Ritchie. Kennelly departed the show in 1989 when producers decided to reformat the series and focus on younger actors.
She later reprised her role as Floss McPhee from 2000 to 2008, following a decade spent working on other productions.
TV historian Andrew Mercado confirmed Kennelly's death on social media, noting that she died on her "beloved farm in the Hunter Valley" surrounded by her dogs and family.
Mercado also highlighted Kennelly's other notable roles, including Norma Whittaker, a wig-wearing barmaid in Number 96, and Rosa, an Italian mother-in-law in Kingswood Country. She also appeared in ANZACS, a 1985 mini-series alongside Paul Hogan, and had stints on A Country Practice, All Saints, The Flying Doctors, and Division 4.
Fans paid tribute on social media, with one commenter describing Kennelly as an "underrated icon" and another calling her a "bright star."