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Charlene Edna Robinson (nee Mitchell) was a character in Neighbours who first appeared in Episode 234 - 17 April 1986, played by famous singer Kylie Minogue. Charlene is the tomboy auto-mechanic husband of Scott Robinson, the daughter of Madge Mitchell, the sister of Henry Ramsay, and mother of two children; a son Daniel and daughter named Madison.

Charlene was introduced to the show along with several new characters, as part of a revamp by Network Ten to increase ratings. Minogue auditioned for the role in 1985, shortly after finishing her high school exams. She attended the audition dressed as the character and casting director Jan Russ cast her in the role. Minogue was initially contracted for a week, but this was later extended through to mid-1988. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 17 April 1986.

Charlene was portrayed as a feisty, quick-tempered and outspoken tomboy. She had a difficult relationship with her mother and did not like being patronised. Minogue thought viewers liked the character as she was an average Australian teenager. Reinforcing her tomboyish image, Charlene trained as a mechanic and she often wore khaki overalls and baggy sweatshirts. Her relationship with Scott Robinson was central to many of her storylines. They became a popular couple with viewers and the relationship helped boost ratings for Neighbours. Despite breaking up several times during their first 12 months together, the couple stayed together and their relationship eventually culminated in a wedding during "Episode 523", which was first broadcast on 1 July 1987.

During her time as Charlene, Minogue also started singing and released two successful pop singles during 1987 followed by her debut album the following year. In mid-1988, Minogue decided to leave Neighbours to concentrate on her music career. She filmed her final scenes in June 1988 and Charlene made her final screen appearance on 26 July. Minogue won four Logie Awards for her portrayal of Charlene, including the Gold Logie, becoming the youngest person to do so. Critical reaction to the character has been positive. Soap Opera author Dorothy Hobson said Charlene broke stereotypes when it came to careers for women in the 1980s. In 2022, Minogue returned to the role, alongside Jason Donovan as Scott.

Biography[]

Early life[]

Charlene was born in 21 October 1969 in Coffs Harbour, Brisbane, Queensland to Fred Mitchell and Madge Mitchell. Madge was a native of the fictional Erinsborough, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, where her brother Max Ramsay lived. Madge was more tough on Charlene than she was on her son Henry.

1986-1988[]

In April 1986 Charlene tried to make a peaceful entry into her uncle Max's house at No 24 Ramsay Street. She was seen by Max's neighbour Scott Robinson and, he challenged her, he grabbed her as she was climbing through the window. She thumped him then her mother Madge came round the corner and saw Charlene. She stayed with her mother and uncle and cousins Shane Ramsay and Danny Ramsay. Charlene enrolled at Erinsborough High School but played truant on her first day. Madge kept nagging Charlene and this pushed Charlene away. Max warned Madge this would happen. Despite their first meeting, Charlene became friendly with Scott, especially when she stayed at the Robinson household. They began dating, much to the annoyance of Jim and Madge. Madge was worried that Scott would take advantage of her. Scott sneaked his way into staying in a room at Lassiters Hotel where his brother Paul was a manager at. Charlene followed them after another row with her mother.

One evening in July 1986, Charlene came home with a newborn baby and shocked her mother by claiming that he was her son. Charlene told Madge a story, so convincing that Madge believed she had become a grandmother. However, Charlene soon revealed that the baby was actually her half-brother Sam Cole. She explained to Madge that she had been helping to care for him, after his mother Susan, turned to Charlene for help. Susan had had an affair with Charlene's father Fred, until he threw her out. Charlene knew Madge would not be happy looking after another woman's child, so she claimed he was her son. Soap Box author Hilary Kinglesy noted the situation helped expose Charlene's "soft heart" and her sensitive side.

In the same year, Charlene acted as a backing singer for Scott and Mike Young's band. Scott and Mike entered a demo tape into a song competition, and the judges, Molly Meldrum and Brian Hanson, sought out Charlene as they were impressed with her vocal ability. Molly and Brian invited Charlene to their music studio to record some tracks, but she soon realises that she is not interested in singing and wants to complete her HSC instead. Scott also apologised to Charlene for being jealous of her talent.

In December 1986, Scott was involved in a car accident and he thought he would never walk again but he made a full recovery, which pleased Charlene.

In June 1987, after dating for over a year, Scott proposed to Charlene. After getting over her initial shock, Madge gave the couple her blessing to get married. Scott and Charlene were married during "Episode 523", which was first broadcast on 1 July 1987 to two million Australian viewers. The episode became "a TV phenomenon". After returning from their honeymoon, Scott and Charlene moved in with Madge and Henry, and they struggled financially. Just three months after their wedding, Scott kissed Jane Harris while she helped him study for his HSC. After Jane confessed to Charlene, she threw Scott out and refused to talk to him. In a bid to reunite the couple, Jane told Charlene that she would steal Scott away from her unless she did something about it. The couple soon reunited. The following year, Charlene had a brief affair with her driving instructor Steve Fisher.

In July 1988, Charlene was to start her apprenticeship at a garage in Brisbane. Scott was to remain in Erinsborough while Charlene started her apprenticeship. They reminisced about the first time they met and then went to Lassiters Lake. The next day, Charlene bade an emotional farewell to Erinsborough, hugged her mother Madge and drove out of Ramsay Street. Her husband Scott also left Ramsay Street the following year.

After her departure in July 1988[]

Scott went to visit Charlene in Brisbane in late 1988 then returned to Erinsborough. Yet again he almost fell for another woman, Poppy Skouros. One time Scott was caught cuddling Poppy who had a family bereavement. Madge said she would phone Charlene immediately but Scott told them the truth. In May 1989, after Poppy decided to leave for Greece, Scott joined Charlene in Brisbane.

Scott and Charlene had a son Daniel Robinson in 1992. That year, Madge decided to sell up and she moved to Brisbane, bought on after her husband Harold Bishop had reportedly died when he was washed out to sea the year before. Madge wanted to help Charlene with baby Daniel. Charlene and Scott had a daughter Madison Robinson in 1995. When Harold Bishop was said to be alive in 1996, he was reunited with Madge and she moved back from Brisbane to Erinsborough. After Madge died of cancer in 2001, Charlene did not attend her funeral.

2022[]

Thirty-four years following her departure, Charlene returns to Ramsay Street with Scott after being invited by her cousin Shane Ramsay. Charlene and Scott find that no one is home, so they go to Number 24 and reminisce over when they first met. During a Ramsay Street party, Charlene and Scott are reunited with Jane and Mike. Scott also sees Paul and Harold Bishop, and they continue partying. Scott and Charlene then left Erinsborough again shortly after.

Memorable info[]

Birthday: 21 October 1969

Full Name: Charlene Edna Robinson (Nee Mitchell)

Nickname - Lennie 

Family[]

Father Fred Mitchell

Mother Madge Bishop

Siblings Henry RamsaySam Cole (paternal half-sibling)

Grandfathers Dan Ramsay

Grandmothers Edna Ramsay

Great Grandfathers Jack Ramsay

Spouse Scott Robinson (1987)

Children Daniel Robinson (1992), Madison Robinson (1995)

Uncles Max Ramsay, Tom Ramsay

Aunts Maria Ramsay, Doreen Ramsay

Cousins Shane Ramsay, Danny Ramsay, (adoptive)  Jill Ramsay, Gemma Ramsay, Moira Ramsay

First and last lines[]

"I was trying to get in and he jumped me." (First line)

--

"Harold!" (Final line)

Behind the scenes[]

  • After the Seven Network dropped Neighbours in 1985, rival channel Network Ten picked the series up. It initially attracted low ratings and Ten began working hard to publicise the series. They revamped the show and added several new cast members. Kylie Minogue had had a fairly successful career as a child actress, having appeared in various television dramas, including Skyways and The Henderson Kids, but she was considering giving up acting after failing to find further work. After finishing her school exams in 1985, Minogue then auditioned for the role of Charlene. She attended the audition dressed as the character and won the role. Of hiring Minogue, Neighbours casting director Jan Russ commented Minogue "had done a couple of things before I saw her, but she was only 18 and as shy as a mouse. She really hadn't evolved into anything at that stage, but the camera loved her and I knew I had my Charlene." Minogue initially signed up to play Charlene for one week, this was then extended to 13 weeks and then through to mid-1988. She made her debut screen appearance in the episode broadcast on 17 April 1986.

See also[]

Gallery[]

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