Can you believe that it has been over 40 years since the iconic Australian soap drama A Country Practice premiered?
Across an impressive 1,088 episodes across 14 seasons from November 1981 to November 1993, the drama followed the highs and lows of the townsfolk of fictional Wandin Valley, from the patients and staff at the hospital, to the locals and their everyday lives.
It’s been almost 30 years since the final episode aired, which begs the question, where are the cast of A Country Practice today?
Shane Porteous
Dr Terence Elliot was the kind of doctor you would trust with your life.
(IMAGE: Getty)Following his time on the show as Dr Terence Elliot, Shane hasn’t done much television acting. He has however graced a number of theatre stages, performing in plays such as Hamlet, Death of a Salesman, King Lear and Much Ado About Nothing.
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This multi-talented man has also spent time doing voiceover work and scriptwriting for the likes of Neighbours and Home and Away, sometimes under the pseudonym of John Hanlon.
Last we knew, he was living in the Blue Mountains with wife Jenny and his three adult children, Fiona, Polly and Ben.
Brian Wenzel
Brian Wenzel played local copper Frank.
(IMAGE: Supplied)Since the show where Brian portrayed Sergeant Frank Gilroy, he appeared in several Australian films and plays including guest spots on Neighbours and on Rove Live.
After an incredible 75 years working in the entertainment industry, cementing his place in Australian television, he unfortunately couldn’t continue working.
”It’s terrible to not be able to walk and I can’t sing anymore, which is terrible. I’m hoping against all hope that I can get it all back again,” he told New Idea in 2021.
Sadly, Brian passed away aged 95 in May 2024.
Lorrae Desmond
Shirley was a gossip and kept the drama going in the town, even if she had to create it for herself!
(IMAGE: Supplied)With a career that spanned over 55 years, Lorrae was no stranger to being in the public eye, representing the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contestant in 1957, before returning to Australian in the 1960s where she was the first woman to ever win a Gold Logie for her variety show, ‘The Lorrae Desmond Show.‘
After A Country Practice finished airing, Lorrae retired from television acting and said goodbye to her role as Shirley Gilroy and switched her focus to writing musicals, plays and even a regular column in our sister publication, That’s Life! In May 2021, the actress passed away peacefully at the age of 91.
Joyce Jacobs
Joyce passed away in 2013 following a decades long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
(IMAGE: Supplied)After the show wrapped and her time as Esme Watson came to an end, Joyce had guest roles in films and the sequel series G.P before retiring from acting in 2006.
She passed away peacefully at the age of 91 in 2013 after a decades long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Grant Dodwell
Dr Simon Bowen (portrayed by Grant Dodwell) provided a lot of comic relief amidst all the death and drama. His scenes with Fatso the wombat are particuarly memorable.
(IMAGE: Getty)In his 70s, Grant remains a prolific actor, writer, director and producer.
After his time on A Country Practice playing Dr Simon Bowen came to an end, he went on to shows including Home and Away and Packed to the Rafters.
Currently he is the Creative Producer of theatre streaming service Australian Theatre Live.
Joan Sydney
Joan Sydney played the formidable Matron Margaret Sloan. She wasn’t one to be messed with!
(IMAGE: Supplied/Shutterstock)After departing the show and her character of Matron Margaret ”Maggie” Sloan, Joan joined the cast of Neighbours in the recurring role of Valda Sheergold.
Joan passed away peacefully in Sydney in December 2022 at the age of 86 following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Gordon Piper
Gordon Piper played the lovable larrikin Bob Hatfield.
(IMAGE: Supplied)Once A Country Practice finished airing, life was relatively quiet for Gordon who played Bob Hatfield on the show.
After losing both his legs in 1997 he was forced to retire from acting and remained out of the spotlight until his death in 2004.
Shane Withington
Brendan Jones (portrayed by Shane Withington) was a nurse with a heart of gold. He was also very, very handsome.
(IMAGE: Today Tonight/Supplied)Following his stint on A Country Practice as Brendan Jones, Shane went on to play surf lifesaver John Palmer in Home and Away.
He also married his TV wife Anne and the couple now live on Sydney’s Northern Beaches with daughter Maddie.
Anne Tenney
Pictured with on screen partner (and now off screen husband) Shane (aka Brendan) and their television daughter Chloe (portrayed by Emily Nicol).
(IMAGE: Supplied)Well known for her portrayal of Melissa ‘Molly’ (who can forget THAT heartbreaking death scene), Anne went on to star in a number of other iconic Australian series, most notably alongside Michael Caton in beloved film The Castle and on Always Greener.
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