Colette Mann As Sheila Canning
Sheila Canning is Kyle’s grandmother and a force to be reckoned with.
Born and raised near Horsham in Victoria, Sheila was proud to help her family run their farm. But at the age of seventeen she headed off on her own in search of a more independent life, and was a bit of a wild-child for several years, before eventually settling down in Frankston.
Her husband Reg died young, leaving Sheila to raise their 3 sons and 2 daughters. Sheila had to work hard to provide for her family. She did odd jobs, including many years as a barmaid, and went without luxuries herself, to make sure her kids never wanted for anything.
She’s a proud blue-collar woman of simple tastes, who believes strongly in family values. Though her kids have all moved on and had families of their own, she prides herself on being the Canning matriarch. Two of Sheila’s sons are what would be described as ‘wayward’, and ran out on their respective partners Shazza (mum to Kyle and his brothers) and Jackie (Mum to Harley and Dane). This is a great disappointment to Sheila and she feels a personal debt to her grandkids; to offer a consolation of sorts for their fathers’ poor behaviour.
Sheila likes to know the affairs of everyone around her, and is always willing to offer advice if it’s asked for, but doesn’t meddle in other peoples’ business – except when it comes to her beloved family. If she knows what’s best for her kids and grandkids – and she always does - she’ll do whatever it takes to achieve it, even if that means being underhanded.
Sheila has finely honed instincts, a sharp sense of humour and no time for political correctness but she respects honest, hard work. She makes quick judgments about people, and if you get on her bad side, there’s no going back.
In her down time, she enjoys reading trashy novels and can’t resist reality TV.
Colette Mann
Colette Mann’s enduring career has spanned nearly four decades.
In May 2012, Colette debuted on Neighbours as Sheila, the matriarch of the wayward Canning clan which includes her grandson, Ramsay Street’s lovable handyman Kyle played by Christopher Milligan.
“Like my own two sons, Chris is still wondering what has hit him,” joked Colette.
The Melbourne born actress is no stranger to the studio where the nightly soap is filmed. In 1995 she was an emergency fill-in for the show’s regular and good friend Caroline Gillmer when she became suddenly ill.
“I was hired on the Friday and started on the Monday, I had 42 scenes in the first week,” explains Colette. “They would word me up while the other cast were wheeled in and say, ‘this is your son and you don’t get along’, and roll tape.”
Colette spent three years from 1979 to 1982 filming the iconic Prisoner series in the same studios. Thirty years later, Prisoner has a cult following and her character, Doreen Anderson is still revered by fans worldwide.
She has featured in many other television dramas including The Flying Doctors, MDA, The Man From Snowy River, Stark and Sleuth 101.
Colette has a long history with light entertainment and Lifestyle programs such as The Don Lane Show, Good Morning Australia, What’s Cooking and more recently as a regular guest host on TEN’s The Circle.
Theatre is also a passion and her credits include HMS Pinafore, Mum’s The Word II Teenagers, The Vagina Monologues, Priscilla – Queen of the Desert and the lead role in I Do I Do.
The author of two books and a weekly columnist, Colette lives in Melbourne’s inner city with her two sons.
In May 2012, Colette debuted on Neighbours as Sheila, the matriarch of the wayward Canning clan which includes her grandson, Ramsay Street’s lovable handyman Kyle played by Christopher Milligan.
“Like my own two sons, Chris is still wondering what has hit him,” joked Colette.
The Melbourne born actress is no stranger to the studio where the nightly soap is filmed. In 1995 she was an emergency fill-in for the show’s regular and good friend Caroline Gillmer when she became suddenly ill.
“I was hired on the Friday and started on the Monday, I had 42 scenes in the first week,” explains Colette. “They would word me up while the other cast were wheeled in and say, ‘this is your son and you don’t get along’, and roll tape.”
Colette spent three years from 1979 to 1982 filming the iconic Prisoner series in the same studios. Thirty years later, Prisoner has a cult following and her character, Doreen Anderson is still revered by fans worldwide.
She has featured in many other television dramas including The Flying Doctors, MDA, The Man From Snowy River, Stark and Sleuth 101.
Colette has a long history with light entertainment and Lifestyle programs such as The Don Lane Show, Good Morning Australia, What’s Cooking and more recently as a regular guest host on TEN’s The Circle.
Theatre is also a passion and her credits include HMS Pinafore, Mum’s The Word II Teenagers, The Vagina Monologues, Priscilla – Queen of the Desert and the lead role in I Do I Do.
The author of two books and a weekly columnist, Colette lives in Melbourne’s inner city with her two sons.