List of Neighbours characters (1997)
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera created by Reg Watson. It was first broadcast on 18 March 1985. The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the serial in 1997, by order of first appearance. All characters were introduced by the show's executive producer Stanley Walsh. The 13th season of Neighbours began airing from 20 January 1997. Lisa Elliot was introduced in the same month. February saw the arrival of student [|Tim Buckley]. Ben Atkins debuted in April, while [|Amy Greenwood] made her first appearance in July. [|Matt Compton] and Ben's sister [|Caitlin Atkins] were introduced in September. November saw the first appearance of [|Paul McClain].
Lisa Elliot
Lisa Elliot, played by Kate Straub, made her first screen appearance on 27 January 1997. Straub was cast after being spotted in the audience of variety television show Hey Hey It's Saturday. Straub told Amanda Ruben of TV Week that she felt embarrassed by what had happened, but considered it the break she needed. She added "I was an avid fan of Neighbours when Kylie and Jason were on, but I haven't watched much since. But my short time with the show has given me a huge appreciation of the television industry." Straub was initially contracted with the show until early 1997. Lisa is introduced as a new teacher at Erinsborough High. Straub said it was "a great part to have". Jason Herbison of Inside Soap noted that at 21, Straub was barely old enough to have achieved a teaching qualification in real life. Producers decided not to renew Straub's contract, and Herbison reported that her lack of training contributed to their decision.Lisa moves to Erinsborough after she gets a job as a science teacher at the local high school. When Susan Kennedy learns Lisa needs somewhere to stay, she tells her the residents of Number 30 Ramsay Street are looking for a new housemate and Lisa moves in. She gets on well with sisters Catherine O'Brien and Sarah Beaumont. Lisa is the target of several pranks by her students, including boot polish on her bike seat. Lisa and Sarah compete for the same man, and fall out when Lisa offers the spare room to Darren Stark, who was involved in the breakdown of Catherine's relationship with Malcolm Kennedy. They soon reconcile and invite Ben Atkins to become their new housemate.
Lou Carpenter persuades Lisa to coach the netball team. She becomes depressed when the team lose the final, but Sarah later diagnoses her with an over-active thyroid. Billy Kennedy becomes suspicious of Lisa's marking methods and writes an insulting sentence in his essay, which Lisa fails to notice. Billy proves that Lisa has not been reading the student's essays and Susan launches an investigation. Lisa quits her job, realising that she is not cut out for teaching. She later accepts a job in the research labs at a university in Tasmania. Before Lisa's leaving party, Ben overhears her talking about him on the phone and believes she has feelings for him. Ben kisses Lisa and she tells him that they might have had a chance of a relationship if she was not about to leave. After selling her belongings at a garage sale, Lisa says her goodbyes and leaves.
Tim Buckley
Tim Buckley, played by Dean Francis, made his first screen appearance on 27 February 1997. Tim was a high school student, who was a friend of Michael Martin. He stayed with Michael's family on Ramsay Street. Tim was a shy boy, who was befriended by his school teacher Susan Kennedy. Tim developed a crush on Susan after she took him to the theatre. An Inside Soap reporter observed that it was clear Tim confused her friendly gestures for something more. They also noted that Tim became "a bit too dependent" on Susan's company. A few weeks later, Tim was unable to hold back his feelings for Susan and kissed her. Woodburne commented that to Tim it was not just a childish crush, saying "he truly think that he's in love with Susan. It's a very serious thing as far as he's concerned." Susan did not respond to the kiss, but Tim told her he was in love with her. Woodburne said Susan was not attracted to Tim, but felt an obligation to him, as it was affecting his studies. When Tim learned this, he became embarrassed and threatened to leave town.Tim comes to stay with Michael Martin's family while he repeats Year 12. He tells Michael's sister, Hannah, that he had to drop out of school when his dad got sick. Tim is introduced to his teachers Susan Kennedy and Lisa Elliot. He struggles to connect with anyone at school due to his age. Tim invites Susan to come to the theatre with him to see a play and she agrees. Tim later asks for her help with his history essay and she begins tutoring him. Toadfish Rebecchi takes Tim aside and tells him that he knows all about his crush on Susan and warns him to back off. Tim admits to Susan that he likes her, but wants to stop the rumours about him having a crush on her. When Susan searches out a book for Tim, she begins quoting from it and Tim kisses her. He later tells Susan that he loves her, but she lets him down gently. He sends her a love letter and Susan's husband, Karl, confronts Tim. He leaves that same day, but Susan drives to his home and convinces him to return to Erinsborough for his schooling. However, Tim finds it hard being back and he returns home after saying goodbye to Susan.
Ben Atkins
Ben Atkins, played by Brett Cousins, made his first screen appearance on 9 April 1997. Cousins previously appeared in the show in a small guest role. He was surprised when he learned that he had won the role of Ben, saying "I could hardly believe it when they rang and said I had the part." A Daily Record reporter commented on Ben's arrival, saying "the girls at number 30 are bowled over by their new flatmate, Ben Atkins... but he is harbouring a secret which has something to do with Ruth." It later emerged that Ben was actually Ruth Wilkinson's son. She had given birth to him when she was just 16 and kept it to herself. Ben's arrival won an AFI Award and Piper said the episode was "beautifully written", allowing her and Cousins to feed the characters and not just the plot.Amy Greenwood
Amy Greenwood, played by Jacinta Stapleton, made her first screen appearance on 10 July 1997. Stapleton had previously guested in a few television dramas, before being cast in the regular role of Amy. She called Neighbours "the best training ground" for herself. Amy was "fun-loving", "mischievous" and "sneaky". Stapleton said she shared some similarities to Amy, as they both liked to party and did not take things too seriously. Amy began a relationship with Lance Wilkinson shortly after meeting him. A reporter from The Age branded Amy "Ramsay Street's wild child turned party, fashion and gossip queen".Matt Compton
Matt Compton, played by Jonathan Kovac, made his first screen appearance on 4 September 1997. Matt is introduced as a love interest for Sarah Beaumont, after actress Nicola Charles had complained about a "lack of success" in her character's romantic life. Matt was the first policeman to live on Ramsay Street. Jason Herbison of Inside Soap commented "Writers have always tried to avoid the long arm of the law, deeming it as a soap stereotype." Charles said there is an instant attraction between Sarah and Matt, and Sarah wants him to move into Number 30 as soon as she sees him. However, her housemate, Ben Atkins, is not so keen, as he does not want to live with a policeman. Charles was pleased that her character had finally gotten a love interest, but she did not want Sarah to settle into a long-term relationship. Sarah and Matt's romance marked Charles and Kovac's first on-screen love scenes. Kovac admitted that the kissing scenes were initially hard to do in front of the crew, but he praised Charles for helping him. An Inside Soap reporter branded the character "hunky".Matt applies for the spare room at Number 30 Ramsay Street and is interviewed by Sarah Beaumont and Ben Atkins. When Ben learns Matt is a policeman, he worries about living with him, but Sarah informs Matt that he can move in. Matt pulls Ben over as his car is not registered and gives him a ticket. When he returns home, Matt apologises to Ben and invites him to the pub to play pool. While Ben is showing some school students around the garage, Matt notices that one of the engines does not have a serial number, resulting in tension between him and Ben, who thinks Matt is accusing him of stealing. Matt and Sarah share a kiss. Matt and Ben apologise to each other and Matt asks Sarah to the police graduation ball, which she agrees to go to as friends. They kiss again and start dating, but they initially hide their relationship from Ben. Matt and Ben eventually bond while working on Ben's new car. Matt is given a transfer to Port Campbell and asks Sarah to come with him. She turns the offer down and they agree to a long distance relationship. Matt gives Sarah a friendship ring before he leaves and Ben throws him a farewell party. A few weeks later, Sarah and Matt end their relationship.