Mitch McColl [1]was a main character from July 1999 (Episode 2659) to March 2001 (Episode 3000). He also made a guest appearance in 2005 (Episode 4000).
Mitch was played by Cameron Welsh, apart from a 6 week period in February and March 2000 when Mitchell McMahon temporarily replaced him.
| Mitch McColl | |
|---|---|
Character Profile
| |
| Birthday: | 1983 |
| Birthplace: | Australia |
| Father: | Not stated |
| Mother: | Vicky McColl (deceased) |
| Siblings: | None |
| Spouse: | Kylie (200? - ) |
| Children: | |
| Occupation: | High School Student |
| Played By: | Cameron Welsh |
Backstory[]
Mitch lived with his mother and stepfather. His mother Vicky was originally from New Zealand but was estranged from her family. He accidentally hit Vicky in the chest with a cricket ball, causing her death. His stepfather Rod Branson blamed him for the fatality. Branson later remarried and home life became especially miserable for Mitch. He ran away from home and ended up Summer Bay.
1999-2001[]
On arriving in Summer Bay, Mitch hid in Travis Nash's boat. After it was revealed why he had left home, he was fostered by Alf and Ailsa Stewart. He made friends with Hayley and Will Smith, Gypsy Nash, Peta Janossi and Edward Dunglass. He was attracted to Hayley but she was dating Sam Marshall at the time. Instead, he briefly went out with Gypsy and slept with her. After Hayley and Sam broke up, Mitch got together with her. They briefly separated when Hayley found out that he'd lied about being with Gypsy. They reconciled when Mitch confronted Hayley's boss after he made inappropriate advances towards her. They later broke up after Hayley's father Ken died.
After Mitch found the body of Sarah McKay, a runaway teenager who had drowned while sleeping in a storm drain, he began to think about his own life. He realised he could've just as easily suffered the same fate as Sarah. He set up a Drop-In centre in Summer Bay. When it eventually opened, he named the centre after Sarah. He was a little annoyed when Shelley Sutherland and Gypsy began running the centre but he came to terms with it. One of the earliest people to stay at the centre was Brodie Hanson, who was fleeing from her abusive mother. Mitch and Brodie became close friends and then started going out. This annoyed Hayley because she had hoped she and Mitch would reconcile.
In 2001 Mitch won a charity talent competition with a song he had written himself. Afterwards he was approached by a man called Morrie Sanders who revealed that he was his uncle. He explained that Mitch's grandfather had thrown Vicky out of their home when he learned she planned to marry Mitch's father. Morrie told Mitch that his grandmother was now dying and wanted to see him before she passed away. Mitch travelled to New Zealand with Morrie and met members of his extended family for the first time. When he returned, he felt he had changed as a person.
Mitch's relationship with Alf soured after Ailsa's death and he decided to move in with Gypsy and Vinnie Patterson. Still unsettled after his trip to New Zealand, he decided to move there permanently. Before he left, he reconciled with Alf and said an emotional goodbye to Brodie.
2005[]
Mitch returned briefly for Alf's 60th birthday party but he didn't play any big part in the episode. According to some sources, a deleted scene revealed that Mitch was now a high-school music teacher and was engaged to a woman named Kylie.
Memorable info[]
First Line "So, who's your coach? For the windsurfing? You should give him the flick, he's hopeless." (to Hayley Smith)
Last Line "Yeah, sure." (to Duncan, when he asks if Mitch wants another drink)
Mitch underwent a temporary "head swap" in early 2000 when Cameron Welsh hurt his back and had to take time off. Mitchell McMahon took over the role for 6 weeks.
Family[]
- Mother - Vicky McColl (deceased)
- Stepfather - Rod Branson
- Uncle - Morrie Sanders