Rob Storey (Matthew Lilley)
Rob Storey was a main character from 1994 to 1995. A native of Summer Bay, he worked as a local handyman but wasn't seen onscreen before 1994. Like Matt Wilson, another early 1990s main cast member, Rob vanished overnight without any explanation. He was played by Matthew Lilley.
Biography[]
| Rob Storey | |
|---|---|
Character Profile
| |
| Birthday: | 1970 |
| Birthplace: | Summer Bay |
| Father: | Mr Storey |
| Mother: | Mrs Storey |
| Siblings: | Unknown |
| Spouse: | None |
| Children: | None |
| Occupation: | Woodwork teacher at Summer Bay High School Owner of The Norfolk Boatshed |
| Played By: | Matthew Lilley |
Backstory[]
Robert Storey was born and bought up in Summer Bay, but wasn't seen until 1994. Growing up, he attended Summer Bay High School. One of his teachers was Mr Harker. Rob knew both Tom and Pippa Fletcher from the time they first moved into Summer Bay House. He was friends with locals Travis Nash and Donna Bishop (the latter was his girlfriend when they were teenagers). He reconnected with his old friends when all three found themselves back in Summer Bay again.
1994-1995[]
This isn't what it looks like...
Rob worked as handyman in the area but then got a job as a woodwork teacher at Summer Bay High School. He began dating fellow teacher Roxanne Miller but the path of true love never ran smoothly for the two. They seemed to bring the worst out in each other and were ultimately about as compatible as oil and water. His and Roxy's relationship got off to a rocky and surprisingly sweaty start when they were trapped for hours in a swelteringly hot lift in a Yabbie Creek shopping centre. By the time they were rescued they were hot, sweaty and stripped down to their underwear. This led to plenty of sniggering and people assuming things had become significantly hotter and steamier in the lift.
When Roxanne was diagnosed with breast cancer, Rob supported her through her treatment. It affected Roxanne deeply and it was the beginning of the end for their faltering relationship. Things were accelerated by Roxy's insecurity over the return of Rob's ex, Donna, to Summer Bay. Roxy moved to the city to continue her treatment and then emigrated to Greece. On a lighter note, Rob played the guitar and was a backing musician for Irene Roberts when she decided to compete in a Country and Western competition.
Rob stayed friends with Donna and was unhappy when her violent ex-boyfriend Andrew Warren took a job in the school. Andrew convinced Donna that he had changed his ways and they got back together again. Rob's instincts were correct - Andrew soon reverted to type. Rob was on hand to rescue Donna when her relationship with Andrew turned violent. It was implied that Rob administered a beating to Andrew offscreen after he had saved Donna.
In the early months of 1995 Rob decided to change direction. He had by now left his teaching job. He bought the Norfolk Boatshed off Michael Ross and continued to employ Shane Parrish. Buying the boat shed seems to have been a bad move on Rob's behalf. He had to let Shane go because there wasn't enough work for two people. To save money on rent, he moved out of the Beach House and into the boatshed itself. He was last seen in Episode 1690, calling in to visit Travis and Curtis. And that was it - Rob vanished overnight without any fanfare or indication that he was leaving the area.
After 1995[]
Rob didn't appear onscreen after this but he continued to be mentioned in passing by other characters for some time. His boat shed also vanished from the screen, though it randomly reappeared in 2003. It was now owned by Scott Hunter but it wasn't long for this world - it was burned down by Angie Russell.
Memorable info[]
Birthday: About 1970
Full Name: Robert Storey
First Line: "G'day Alf. You got my hire suit in yet?"
Last Line: "G'day, how's it going?" (to Curtis and Travis)
Trivia[]
Actor Matthew Lilley abruptly left the show in 1995, so his character Rob never got a proper farewell scene. Instead Rob was written as still living in Summer Bay and was occasionally referred to. Rob was last seen helping Curtis Reed get over the death of his girlfriend and visiting Travis Nash.