π‘ Home and Away Star Donald Fisher, 88, Living a VERY Different Life in Tasmania! You’d Never Believe It! π³: https://mwnews.uk/?p=31073&preview=true
- by btv2025
- Posted on 28 June, 2025
π‘ Home and Away Star Donald Fisher, 88, Living a VERY Different Life in Tasmania! You’d Never Believe It! π³
Fans of Home and Away will fondly remember Donald Fisher, the stern yet fair headmaster of Summer Bay High, affectionately nicknamed “Flathead.” For 15 years, from the show’s inception in 1988 until his departure as a main character in 2003 (with guest appearances until 2007), Norman Coburn, now 88, brought the iconic character to life. But what many might not know is that the actor who spent so long in the fictional world of Summer Bay now lives a remarkably different, and much quieter, life in the picturesque wilds of Tasmania, Australia!
From Summer Bay High to Island Life ποΈ
Norman Coburn’s career in acting spans decades, with early roles in the UK theatre, film, and television before returning to Australia in the 1980s. His role as Donald Fisher solidified his place in Australian television history, even earning him a place in the 2002 Guinness World Records alongside fellow Home and Away legends Ray Meagher and Kate Ritchie as one of the longest-serving cast members of an Australian soap opera.
However, after stepping back from the demands of a daily soap, Coburn chose a path far removed from the bustling fictional town of Summer Bay. He retired from acting and now lives a serene life on Bruny Island, a beautiful island located off the south-eastern coast of Tasmania, Australia.
A Quiet Retreat in Nature π²
Bruny Island is known for its rugged natural beauty, stunning coastlines, diverse wildlife, and a slower pace of life compared to mainland Australia. Itβs a world away from the constant drama and tight filming schedules of a TV set.
- Embracing Retirement: Norman Coburn, with his wife Tina, has fully embraced retirement. His days are no longer filled with scripts and camera calls, but with the tranquility of island living.
- A World Away from the Limelight: While Home and Away still commands a massive following globally, Coburn’s current life is notably out of the public eye, a stark contrast to his decades as a prominent TV personality. He occasionally keeps in touch with former castmates, with Ray Meagher (Alf Stewart) even visiting him in Tasmania.
- Prior Professions: Before his iconic Home and Away role, Coburn also ventured into other fields, working as a restaurateur in London and even owning a vineyard in Cornwall, England, in the 1970s. This highlights a versatile life beyond acting, making his current peaceful retirement on Bruny Island a fitting next chapter.
Norman Coburnβs post-Home and Away life on Bruny Island is indeed a testament to his desire for a quieter existence, a far cry from the daily drama he helped create on screen for so many years. Itβs a delightful surprise for fans to know that “Flathead” found his ultimate peaceful retreat.
π‘ Home and Away Star Donald Fisher, 88, Living a VERY Different Life in Tasmania! You’d Never Believe It! π³ Fans of Home and Away will fondly remember Donald Fisher, the stern yet fair headmaster of Summer Bay High, affectionately nicknamed “Flathead.” For 15 years, from the show’s inception in 1988 until his departure as…