Morag Bellingham

Morag Bellingham (Nee Stewart) was a recurring character in Home And Away from June 1988 (Ep 102) to April 2017 (Ep 6645). She is the villainous sister of Alf and Celia Stewart. She is the Summer Bay version of the Wicked Witch Of The West but she did show loyalty to her family. Morag has appeared sporadically since June 1988, although she did not appear for 8 years between October 1993 (Ep 1348) and June 2001 (Ep 3073) when she was disowned by her family. She was played by Cornelia Frances who sadly died in May 2018 aged 77. Whether Morag will be killed off or never return is as yet unclear. If she is recast is yet unknown. So far the only regular actors to be re-cast have been Van Downing and Justine Clarke in there characters of Pippa Fletcher and Ruth Stewart respectively.

Biography

Morag Bellingham
Character Profile
Birthday:	1941
Birthplace:	Summer Bay, NSW, Australia
Father:	Gordon Stewart
Mother:	Sarah Jane Stewart
Siblings:	Colleen Smart, (half), Alf Stewart, Barbara Fisher, Celia Stewart, Debra Stewart
Spouse:	Richard Bellingham (1969-1988)
Children:	Bobby Marshall (1970)
Occupation:	Judge, Lawyer
Played By:	Cornelia Frances

Morag is a magistrate judge who has a tendency to be unyieldingly stern to those who she did not like, and often interfered with her family, although she did mean well. While she was stern and unapproachable, she did have a heart. She had a daughter, Bobby Marshall, who was once the foster sister of Sally Fletcher. She got on well with Sally and she was also instrumental in saving her twin brother, Miles Copeland, from losing his job due to a spiteful woman named Christine Jones, who was trying to have him removed.

Despite her villainous ways, Morag always meant well, due to her love for her family.

Backstory

Morag Stewart was born in 1941 to Gordon and Sarah Jane Stewart. She is the sister of Alf Stewart, Celia Stewart, Barbara Fisher and Colleen Smart. Morag went to law school and trained as a judge and lawyer and married a man named Richard Bellingham in 1969. At the same time, she was still in contact with people from Summer Bay, including Donald Fisher. They had a brief affair and he got her pregnant. She gave birth to a daughter, Bobby in 1970 and Bobby was adopted to Al Simpson and his wife Doris. Morag carried on with her life. She built up a career in law and bought a mansion in Sydney.

1988-2013

Morag was a solicitor and court judge who found out about the dark history of Alf's girlfriend Ailsa Hogan. She had a devious side and even sided with the Macklin family, rivals to the Stewarts, a few times.

In 1993, upon the death of Bobby, Morag tried to gain custody of her adoptive grandson Sam Marshall by stealing him off his real father Greg Marshall and trying to persuade him from leaving his adoptive grandfather Donald Fisher. In October 1993, Ailsa found out and stopped her in her tracks, also Sam said he did not want to go. Alf confronted Morag and said she was no longer part of this family. Morag cried, and she decided to leave Summer Bay for good, she got into her car and drove off, putting Summer Bay behind her.

She returned in June 2001, after 8 years away from Summer Bay. She soon made up with Alf and let bygones be bygones. In 2008 she married Ross Buckton, father of Charlie Buckton.

Morag returned in the 2011 season return for Ross' funeral.

Morag returned in January 2013 for the wedding of Roo to Harvey Ryan.

2016

Morag returned to Summer Bay in Episode 6371 because Alf asked her to represent Zac MacGuire in the Charlotte King murder case. According to an interview with Cornelia Frances on "The Morning Show", her character will only be on the show for three weeks.

Morag threatened corrupt cop Dylan Carter and reveals Dylan's past relationship with his ex-fiancee, Constable Katarina Chapman. Morag then left the Bay in March 2016.

2017

Morag returned in 2017 to help John Palmer.

Memorable info

Date of birth: 1941

Full Name: Morag Bellingham (Nee Stewart)

First line "Few days" in answer to Alf about how long she is staying for Roo's wedding.

Final line "Well, you've never backed away from a challenge, I respect that. And I look forward to meeting my great-niece, or nephew...Oh, pull yourself together. And anything you need, just ask." (to Roo)

Trivia

In 1988, Morag called Alf her "little brother". Alf was born in July 1945 so Morag must have been born in the early 1940s, so is probably a few years older older than Alf, and Don Fisher, who was born in February 1945. However other scripts have hinted that she is younger than Alf.

While different in personality, Morag does bear a resemblance to Madge Bishop from rival show Neighbours.