Quick Questions

[Light of the Bay]

Eastenders have done a fantastic job imo with Nigel Bates’ ongoing dementia storyline. Think it’s a very true to life portrayal.

[cymbaline]

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope she stays as well as she can be. My mother had it for many years before dying in a nursing home. When visiting her, I got to see many other people who were also afflicted with this terrible condition. Real life dementia bears no relation to the ridiculous depictions I've seen onscreen. Does anybody really want to turn on the TV and see their favourite star sitting silently in a chair, staring blankly into the distance and struggling to eat liquidized food? Unfortunately, that is the way most people with dementia end their days. There are no dramatic lucid patches or Hollywood endings. They just fizzle out and it can take years. It's not a demise that's TV friendly, and that's why writers like to speed things up with another illness. 

[project90]

I did some shifts on a dementia floor for placement in my coruse very eye opening couldn't think of a worse way to go

[Light of the Bay]

On 19/12/2025 at 04:57, project90 said:

I did some shifts on a dementia floor for placement in my coruse very eye opening couldn't think of a worse way to go

I did a college placement about 9 years ago, found it so upsetting and as you say eye opening. I remember being in a residents’ room and she had all her photographs on the dressing table from all throughout her life She had been an accountant and so sharp as her family said but dementia took that from her. 

[Light of the Bay]

Does anyone know if Norman Coburn has done any acting at all in recent years or is he totally retired? 

[cymbaline]

Did you see him during Ray Meagher's This Is Your Life? (It's on YouTube if you haven't watched it). Norman chose not to travel to the event, but recorded a nice video for Ray. It was lovely to see him again, but you could also hear and see how old he now was. He was 70 when he finished playing Donald, and maybe just wanted to enjoy his retirement. I'd say the only reason he did that episode of Rosewood is because they filmed it reasonably near where he lives now. 

Have you ever heard the 'Don't let the old bastards go' story? (link here). The general gist is: when some of Home and Away's younger actors started to move on, a memo was circulated around the production office with that comment on it. The memo leaked, and the 'old bastards' including Ray, Norman and Judy Nunn sat down with 7 for a little chat. It's impossible to tell how true the story is, but Ray Meagher is one of the highest paid actors on Australian TV. If the rumour is broadly correct, then Norman did very nicely from his long run on Home and Away and doesn't need to work. He had an interesting life before he became Donald Fisher. Running restaurants in England and owning a vinyard is quite a life. 

Edited December 21, 2025 by cymbaline

[CaptainHulk]

On 21/12/2025 at 17:49, cymbaline said:

Did you see him during Ray Meagher's This Is Your Life? (It's on YouTube if you haven't watched it). Norman chose not to travel to the event, but recorded a nice video for Ray. It was lovely to see him again, but you could also hear and see how old he now was. He was 70 when he finished playing Donald, and maybe just wanted to enjoy his retirement. I'd say the only reason he did that episode of Rosewood is because they filmed it reasonably near where he lives now. 

Have you ever heard the 'Don't let the old bastards go' story? (link here). The general gist is: when some of Home and Away's younger actors started to move on, a memo was circulated around the production office with that comment on it. The memo leaked, and the 'old bastards' including Ray, Norman and Judy Nunn sat down with 7 for a little chat. It's impossible to tell how true the story is, but Ray Meagher is one of the highest paid actors on Australian TV. If the rumour is broadly correct, then Norman did very nicely from his long run on Home and Away and doesn't need to work. He had an interesting life before he became Donald Fisher. Running restaurants in England and owning a vinyard is quite a life. 

Surprised he hasn't banged out a memoir 

[cymbaline]

From what I've seen of him, he doesn't seem like a memoir sort of person. 

[CaptainHulk]

I just get the feeling Norm would given his vast experience in the industry and go mention his personal life a bit.

Then again it's me probably forgetting where Don ends and He begins!

[James Martin]

I've heard that story as well.  It would explain why the format is as it is - you've a core of older characters with a younger cast who turn over every 3 years.