Beth Hunter
Beth Hunter (also Sutherland) was a main character from 2003 to 2007. She was the mother of Scott, Robbie, Matilda, Kit and Henry Hunter. Beth was played by Clarissa House.
| Beth Hunter | |
|---|---|
Character Profile
| |
| Birthday: | Unknown |
| Birthplace: | Australia |
| Father: | Graham Walters |
| Mother: | Unknown |
| Siblings: | Unknown |
| Spouse: | Jack Hunter (19??-2002), Rhys Sutherland (2004-2005) |
| Children: | Scott Hunter, Kit Hunter, Robbie Hunter, Matilda Hunter, Henry Hunter |
| Occupation: | - |
| Played By: | Clarissa House |
Backstory[]
In the 1970s Beth married farmer Jack Hunter and they had five children - Scott, Kit, Robbie, Henry and Matilda. Jack died suddenly from a heart attack in 2002. It later transpired that during the final 15 years of their marriage, Jack had been having an affair with Valerie Squires. Beth turned a blind eye to it and never told their children. She later found out that her son Scott had found out about the affair too but had said nothing.
2003-2007[]
Beth came to Summer Bay in 2003 when her son Scott got together with Dani Sutherland. Through them she met Rhys Sutherland who was Dani's father. When Beth's son Kit began drinking excessively, Rhys was on hand to support her. After Kit was sent to rehab, Beth and Rhys became a couple. They later got engaged. When money troubles came to Beth's door, she was left with no choice but to pull her three younger children (Robbie, Matilda and Henry) out of boarding school. They moved into Summer Bay House with the Sutherlands.
In 2004 Beth and Rhys got married on the beach. The day was spoiled when Rhys's daughter Kirsty eloped with her fiancé Kane Phillips.
Beth and Rhys's marriage moved into stormy waters when his ex-wife Shelley returned. Their daughter Kirsty was suffering from kidney problems and needed a kidney transplant. This common ground pushed the former couple back together again. Rhys fell back in with Shelley again and left Summer Bay with her.
Beth decided to move on with her life as best she could, and changed her name back to Beth Hunter. She swapped houses with Sally Fletcher and Flynn Saunders. (This house move returned Sally to her former home). She soon fell for her new neighbour, widower Tony Holden.
In 2005 Beth's father Graham Walters came to visit. He announced that he had sold his farm and had remarried. His new wife - Amanda Vale - was much younger than Graham. Beth was appalled because she knew Amanda of old. She had previously slept with Scott and manipulated him into believing she was pregnant. Graham then suffered a massive heart attack and was hospitalised. He and Beth made peace and he told her that he didn't want to continue living if he had another heart attack. When Graham suffered another heart attack and was pronounced brain-dead, Beth tried to have his life support turned off. Amanda fought to keep him alive and won out. By keeping Graham alive, she could overturn their pre-nuptial agreement and gain his assets. Robbie later turned off the life support machine. Beth told Amanda she didn't care about her father's money but wanted his war medals. Amanda gave them to her.
Feeling unsettled and trapped, Beth decided to travel the world. Tony opted to stay in Summer Bay because he was firmly settled there. That was the last time she was seen on Home and Away. Off-screen she travelled to France to visit Scott, his partner Hayley and her grandson Noah. She then went to the USA to visit Robbie, his wife Tasha and her granddaughter Ella. She was then killed while driving back to Summer Bay from the airport, dying offscreen. A memorial service was held for her in Summer Bay, before she was returned to her native Adelaide for burial.
Memorable info[]
Died: 23rd April 2007
Family[]
Father Graham Walters
Spouse Jack Hunter (??-2002), Rhys Sutherland (2004-2005)
Children Scott Hunter (c1975), Kit Hunter (c. 1985) Robbie Hunter (1987), Matilda Hunter (1989), Henry Hunter (1989)
Grandchildren Noah Smith, Archie Hyde