Joan Sydney
An English-born Australian actress best known for her work on Australian television with more than 40 years experience mainly in the genres of soap operas and serial (radio and television), but also appearing in mini-series and theatre productions, including Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Talking Heads and Dirty Dusters", and the comedy serial Thank God You're Here. She has also appeared in made for television movies, and appeared in the telemovie Cliffy in 2013, based on Cliff Young.
Logie award
She remains best known for her Television role as Margaret "Maggie" Sloan, the matron and patriarch of the Wandin Valley Bush Nursing Hospital, in A Country Practice from 1983 to 1990. In 1989 Sydney won the Logie Award for Most Popular Actress for her performance as Sloan.
Television soap roles: Neighbours
Sydney reprised the role in 1994 when the series was relaunched on Network Ten, before going on to play Mary Patchett in E Street and appearing in Something in the Air, Mother and Son, and All Saints.
Since 2002, she has played the recurring role of Valda Sheergold in Neighbours. From 2007 until 2008, she was a regular cast member on the show.
Personal life
Sydney's son is Tony Braxton-Smith, CEO of Great Southern Rail |