Belated tributes for iconic Sylvania Waters star
<p>One of Australia's first ever reality TV star has died, but her death went unreported for over a year. </p>
<p>Noeline Donaher, the star of <em>Sylvania Waters</em>, died on May 2023, with Australian pop culture producer Matt Fulton bringing attention to her death by sharing a Facebook post written by Donaher’s son, Mick, on X, formerly known as Twitter. </p>
<p>“Holy c*** — Noeline Donaher DID pass away May 2023, and there wasn’t a blip in any news/media,” <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Fulton </span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">wrote on X. </span></p>
<p>“How did we miss this news? I had to do a deep dive to find the info. It really was not reported anywhere," <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">the pop culture producer </span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">added. </span></p>
<p>The Facebook post announcing her death was shared on May 30 2023 and read: “Dad has asked me to share with you all the sad news that Noeline Donaher, his partner of over 40yrs, recently passed away."</p>
<p>“Noeline absolutely loved Appendix J racing ... Together they raced everything from a couple of Valiants to a Lotus Cortina ... More importantly she made lots of great friends over the years and had many laughs/memorable times at tracks all around Australia, including Tasmania and WA!</p>
<p>“I’m just with (her husband) Laurie today and going through some old pics on the wall and in albums so thought I’d share a few of them with you all and say THANKS, on their behalf, to the Appendix J Old Boys for many years of fun, friendship and great memories.”</p>
<p><em>Sylvania Waters </em>which aired for 12 episodes in 1992 caused a lot of controversy at the time, because of its unique concept. </p>
<p>The show followed the Donahers as they went about their lives in their home in the titular south Sydney suburb of Sylvania Waters.</p>
<p>At the time, some critics and viewers criticised how the reality TV show depicted the family, saying that it showed all Aussies – as “materialistic, argumentative and heavy-drinking”, according to the <em>SMH</em>. </p>
<p>When the series aired in the UK, <em>The Daily Telegraph Mirror</em> dubbed the show “a vicious putdown tailor-made for British audiences” and many viewers were shocked at the antics of the Australian family. </p>
<p>Viewers of the show were stunned to learn that her death went unreported, and many shared their condolences on X. </p>
<p>“Vale the original Kath Day-Knight,” wrote one follower, referring to <em>Sylvania Waters</em> influence on another beloved show, <em>Kath and Kim</em>.</p>
<p>“One of the world’s first reality TV series, and one that put Sylvania Waters on the map," added another. </p>
<p>“Get me a bourbon, Laurie,” wrote a third, citing one of her iconic lines. </p>
<p>“Sad. I grew up around the corner and went to school with their kids,” added a fourth. </p>
<p><em>Images: X</em></p>
