Dorothy Burke
Encyclopedia
Dorothy Miriam Burke is a fictional character
from the Australian Network Ten
soap opera Neighbours
, played by Maggie Dence
. She made her first on-screen appearance on 7 March 1990. The character departed on 2 February 1993, to live in the Australian countryside.
in 1934, the elder of two children to Clarrie (Fredrick Parslow) and Stella McLachlan. When Stella developed Alzheimer disease, Dorothy was forced to take care of her, while Clarrie, an alcoholic left the family to explore the Outback. After graduating University, Dorothy began her teaching career at a girls' school as a history teacher and eventually became principal. Dorothy later married accountant Colin Burke (Robert Alexander), but he was later arrested for fraud and jailed. Dorothy, mortified, preferred to let people think she was a widow rather than married to a fraudster. After this ordeal, Dorothy travelled for several years with her friend, Winnie and later returned to Australia.
(Alan Dale
) to be serviced. Several weeks later, Dorothy moves into Number 30 Ramsay Street and becomes the principal of Erinsborough High, much to her nephew, Ryan McLachlan
's (Richard Norton) displeasure. Dorothy's neighbours initially think she is stuck up at first but she soon forms strong friendships with Jim and his mother-in-law, Helen Daniels
(Anne Haddy
).
Dorothy finds herself in a feud with Kerry Bishop
(Linda Hartley
) and her husband Joe Mangel
(Mark Little
) over a boundary dispute and matters are not helped when Dorothy's niece, Tiffany
(Amber Kilpatrick) complains about Kerry mistreating her. Dorothy threatens to report Kerry to the Department of Childcare Services but Tiffany later confesses that she lied.
Dorothy runs for local council against Madge Bishop
(Anne Charleston
), which causes friction between the two. She wins and is able to prevent the school from closure, but this puts Helen temporarily offside when she refuses a proposal from her to fund an arts programme. Clarrie reappears in Dorothy's life and it is evident that she has not forgiven him for walking out while her mother was dying and things are uneasy between father and daughter. Dorothy's patience with her father is soon tested when she goes away for the weekend and he lets Ryan hold a party. When it appears that Clarrie has shoved Helen during an argument, Dorothy orders him to leave but soon discovers the truth. Clarrie agrees to attend Alcoholics Anonymous
and they part on better terms.
When Ryan finds a letter from Colin, he begins suspect his uncle is in jail rather than dead. After being confronted, Dorothy tells Ryan the truth about Colin swears him to secrecy about his imprisonment. Colin is later released and arrives in Erinsborough keen to make amends but Dorothy refuses to hear him out at first. Eventually, she softens and agrees to give another chance. Dorothy discovers that Colin has been cheating on her with Helen's daughter, Rosemary
(Joy Chambers
), and throws him out. Colin pleads for Dorothy's forgiveness, but he is escorted from the street by Jim and Joe. Dorothy discovers a lump in her breast and it is found to be cancerous. Pam Willis (Sue Jones), the only person she tells, offers her support.
When Joe leaves for England with his new wife, Melanie Pearson
(Lucinda Cowden), Dorothy agrees to let his son, Toby
(Ben Guerens
), live with her. Dorothy also becomes fond of Toby's dog, Bouncer
. They are soon joined by Phoebe Bright (Simone Robertson
) after her father, Arthur (Barry Hill), dies. Toby and Phoebe both call Dorothy "Mim", a contraction of her middle name, Miriam. After Phoebe falls pregnant to her boyfriend, Todd Landers
(Kristian Schmid), and decides to have an abortion, Dorothy supports her. When Todd is killed after being hit by a van while racing to the clinic, Phoebe decides to keep the baby.
Tom Merrick (Robert Essex), a school inspector arrives in Erinsborough and Dorothy is instantly taken with him, but denies her feelings as she is afraid of getting hurt again. After some thought, Dorothy agrees to give the relationship a chance. When she learns Tom will be principal at Toby's new school in the country near where Joe and Melanie have settled, Dorothy agrees to leave with Tom and bids farewell to Erinsborough and leaves Number 30 in the hands of Phoebe and her new partner Stephen Gottlieb
(Lochie Daddo
).
said Dorothy's most notable moment was "When Dorothy and Jim Robinson got drunk and ended up spending the night together after passing out".
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the Australian Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
soap opera Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
, played by Maggie Dence
Maggie Dence
Maggie Dence is an Australian actress who after high profile television comedy work became better known for several soap opera roles....
. She made her first on-screen appearance on 7 March 1990. The character departed on 2 February 1993, to live in the Australian countryside.
Backstory
Doroth was born in AdelaideAdelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
in 1934, the elder of two children to Clarrie (Fredrick Parslow) and Stella McLachlan. When Stella developed Alzheimer disease, Dorothy was forced to take care of her, while Clarrie, an alcoholic left the family to explore the Outback. After graduating University, Dorothy began her teaching career at a girls' school as a history teacher and eventually became principal. Dorothy later married accountant Colin Burke (Robert Alexander), but he was later arrested for fraud and jailed. Dorothy, mortified, preferred to let people think she was a widow rather than married to a fraudster. After this ordeal, Dorothy travelled for several years with her friend, Winnie and later returned to Australia.
1990–93
Dorothy brings her car to Jim RobinsonJim Robinson (Neighbours)
James "Jim" Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Alan Dale. He made his first on-screen appearance on 18 March 1985, which was the shows first episode. Jim was the patriarch of the Robinson family. Dale departed the show in 1993 after...
(Alan Dale
Alan Dale
Alan Hugh Dale is a New Zealand actor. As a child, Dale developed a love of theatre and also became a rugby player. After retiring from the sport he took on a number of professions to support his family, before deciding to become a professional actor at the age of 27. With work limited in New...
) to be serviced. Several weeks later, Dorothy moves into Number 30 Ramsay Street and becomes the principal of Erinsborough High, much to her nephew, Ryan McLachlan
Ryan McLachlan
Ryan McLachlan is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Richard Norton. He made his first on-screen appearance on 15 February 1990 and remained on the show until 1991.-Casting:...
's (Richard Norton) displeasure. Dorothy's neighbours initially think she is stuck up at first but she soon forms strong friendships with Jim and his mother-in-law, Helen Daniels
Helen Daniels
Helen Daniels is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, portrayed by Anne Haddy. Following the death of Jim Robinson in 1993, she remained the only original character left in the series until her own death in 1997, making her the second longest-serving original character...
(Anne Haddy
Anne Haddy
Anne Haddy was an Australian film and television actress, best known for her role in the long-running soap opera, Neighbours.-Early and personal life:...
).
Dorothy finds herself in a feud with Kerry Bishop
Kerry Bishop
Kerry Bishop is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Linda Hartley-Clark. She made her first on-screen appearance on 1 February 1989. Kerry is the only daughter of Mavis and Harold Bishop and sister to David Bishop. She gave birth to a daughter, Sky, and...
(Linda Hartley
Linda Hartley
Linda Hartley-Clark is an Australian actress who played Kerry Bishop on the Australian soap opera Neighbours from 1989 to 1990. She also did a guest stint in 2005 playing Gabrielle Walker, who in the storyline was recognised by Harold Bishop as Kerry's lookalike...
) and her husband Joe Mangel
Joe Mangel
Walter Joseph "Joe" Mangel is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Mark Little. He debuted on-screen in the episode airing on 8 August 1988. Little later departed the serial and Joe left in 1991. In 2005 Little agreed to reprise the role as part...
(Mark Little
Mark Little (Australian actor)
Mark Little , is an Australian actor, television presenter and comedian, born in Brisbane, Queensland.-Career:Little appeared in a string of Australian films and TV series during the 1980s. He also performed his own comedy/performance in Melbourne's burgeoning comedy clubs throughout the eighties...
) over a boundary dispute and matters are not helped when Dorothy's niece, Tiffany
Tiffany McLachlan
Tiffany "Lochy" McLachlan is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Amber Kilpatrick. She made her first on-screen appearance on 23 October 1989. Tiffany is described as being a little terror and always getting into mischief. She becomes friends with Toby Mangel...
(Amber Kilpatrick) complains about Kerry mistreating her. Dorothy threatens to report Kerry to the Department of Childcare Services but Tiffany later confesses that she lied.
Dorothy runs for local council against Madge Bishop
Madge Bishop
Margaret Mary "Madge" Bishop is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Anne Charleston. She made her first on-screen appearance on 20 January 1986. Madge was one of the matriarchs of the Ramsay family. She departed in 1992, before making a return in 1996...
(Anne Charleston
Anne Charleston
Anne Charleston is an Australian actress currently based in Galway, Ireland and the UK. She is known for her roles as Madge Bishop in the Australian soap opera Neighbours and Lily Butterfield in Emmerdale.-Early career:...
), which causes friction between the two. She wins and is able to prevent the school from closure, but this puts Helen temporarily offside when she refuses a proposal from her to fund an arts programme. Clarrie reappears in Dorothy's life and it is evident that she has not forgiven him for walking out while her mother was dying and things are uneasy between father and daughter. Dorothy's patience with her father is soon tested when she goes away for the weekend and he lets Ryan hold a party. When it appears that Clarrie has shoved Helen during an argument, Dorothy orders him to leave but soon discovers the truth. Clarrie agrees to attend Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous is an international mutual aid movement which says its "primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety." Now claiming more than 2 million members, AA was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in Akron, Ohio...
and they part on better terms.
When Ryan finds a letter from Colin, he begins suspect his uncle is in jail rather than dead. After being confronted, Dorothy tells Ryan the truth about Colin swears him to secrecy about his imprisonment. Colin is later released and arrives in Erinsborough keen to make amends but Dorothy refuses to hear him out at first. Eventually, she softens and agrees to give another chance. Dorothy discovers that Colin has been cheating on her with Helen's daughter, Rosemary
Rosemary Daniels
Rosemary Daniels is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Joy Chambers. She made her first on-screen appearance on 20 February 1986 and appeared intermittently. Rosemary is the adoptive daughter of Helen Daniels and the sister of Anne Robinson....
(Joy Chambers
Joy Chambers
Joy Chambers is an Australian actress and author. She is best known for such television soap opera roles as Rita Merrick in The Restless Years, Dr Robyn Porter in The Young Doctors, and Rosemary Daniels in Neighbours. Chambers has played Rosemary since 1986. Rosemary is the only character who has...
), and throws him out. Colin pleads for Dorothy's forgiveness, but he is escorted from the street by Jim and Joe. Dorothy discovers a lump in her breast and it is found to be cancerous. Pam Willis (Sue Jones), the only person she tells, offers her support.
When Joe leaves for England with his new wife, Melanie Pearson
Melanie Pearson
Melanie Pearson is a fictional character from the Network Ten soap opera Neighbours played by Lucinda Cowden. She made her first appearance on 30 July 1987, and appeared initially from 1987 to 1991 when the character left the soap...
(Lucinda Cowden), Dorothy agrees to let his son, Toby
Toby Mangel
Toby Mangel is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Ben Geurens. He made his first on-screen appearance on 10 November 1988. Toby was originally played by Finn Greentree-Keane from 1988 until 1990...
(Ben Guerens
Ben Guerens
Ben Geurens is an actor.-Biography:Geurens graduated from NIDA in 2004. At drama school his credits include The Return, Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing and Who's Afraid of the Working Class.-Roles:Geurens is best known for playing suburban rascal Toby Mangel on the soap opera Neighbours...
), live with her. Dorothy also becomes fond of Toby's dog, Bouncer
Bouncer (Neighbours)
Bouncer is a fictional Labrador Retriever from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours. He made his first on-screen appearance on 4 February 1987 and he exited the series on 12 February 1993 after six years...
. They are soon joined by Phoebe Bright (Simone Robertson
Simone Robertson
Simone Robertson is an Australian actress best known for her 1991–1993 role as Phoebe Gottlieb in the TV series Neighbours. Her sister is Aimee Robertson. She is also a trained jazz and tap dancer.-TV:...
) after her father, Arthur (Barry Hill), dies. Toby and Phoebe both call Dorothy "Mim", a contraction of her middle name, Miriam. After Phoebe falls pregnant to her boyfriend, Todd Landers
Todd Landers
Not to be confused with Simpsons character Todd FlandersTodd Robert Landers is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Kristian Schmid. He made his first on-screen appearance on 15 February 1988. Todd died on 13 July 1992, but reappeared as a ghost the...
(Kristian Schmid), and decides to have an abortion, Dorothy supports her. When Todd is killed after being hit by a van while racing to the clinic, Phoebe decides to keep the baby.
Tom Merrick (Robert Essex), a school inspector arrives in Erinsborough and Dorothy is instantly taken with him, but denies her feelings as she is afraid of getting hurt again. After some thought, Dorothy agrees to give the relationship a chance. When she learns Tom will be principal at Toby's new school in the country near where Joe and Melanie have settled, Dorothy agrees to leave with Tom and bids farewell to Erinsborough and leaves Number 30 in the hands of Phoebe and her new partner Stephen Gottlieb
Stephen Gottlieb
Stephen Gottlieb is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Lochie Daddo. He made his first on-screen appearance on 12 October 1992.-Casting:...
(Lochie Daddo
Lochie Daddo
Christopher Lachlan "Lochie" Daddo is an Australian actor and television presenter. His elder brothers are actors Andrew and Cameron Daddo, and Andrew's twin, Jamie Daddo.-Career:...
).
Reception
The BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
said Dorothy's most notable moment was "When Dorothy and Jim Robinson got drunk and ended up spending the night together after passing out".