Pippa Ross

Pippa Ross
Debra Lawrance as Pippa Ross
Home and Away character
Portrayed by	Vanessa Downing (1988–90) Debra Lawrance (1990–2009)
Duration	1988–98, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
First appearance	17 January 1988
Last appearance	8 May 2009
Classification	Former; regular
Profile
Home	Carrington Ranges
Occupation	Nurse Foster mother
Alternative image(s)
Vanessa Downing as Pippa Ross
Family Husband Tom Fletcher (1975–90) Michael Ross (1991–96) Ian Routledge (1999–) Father Bert King Mother Coral King Brothers Danny King Sons Christopher Fletcher Dale Ross Adoptive daughters Sally Fletcher Granddaughters Pippa Saunders

Phillipa "Pippa" Routledge OAM (née King, previously Fletcher and Ross) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away. Actress Vanessa Downing originated the role from 1988 to 1990, then Debra Lawrance took over from 1990 to 1998. The character has made guest returns in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Casting

Carol Willesee was initially hired for the "pivotal role of foster mother, and earth mother" Pippa Fletcher. In his book Super Aussie Soaps, Andrew Mercado opined that casting the then wife of current affairs show host, Mike Willesee, was a publicity dream. Of Willesee's casting, producer John Holmes said "She had just started acting and was pretty raw, but she had a warmth about her." When filming began, the Seven Network became worried because Willesee had not signed a contract. The actress later revealed she had a verbal agreement that she could have time off during the school holidays, as well as later starts and early finishes, so she could spend time with her family. The network realised that that situation would not work for a show scheduled to film five episodes per week and they decided to recast the character and reshoot the footage Willesee had already filmed. Holmes explained that it would have been "irresponsible" to allow an unsigned actress to keep filming when she could walk out at any time.

Pippa was played by Vanessa Downing from the pilot episode in 1988 to 1990, when Vanessa left series (apparently due to missing working with her former co-star Roger Oakley, who played her on screen husband Tom). Debra Lawrance took over the role from July 1990 until 1998 and has subsequently returned to guest star. In 1997, Lawrance quit the role and Pippa departed in 1998.

Storylines

In the pilot episode, Pippa and Tom foster wildchild Bobby Simpson. Pippa has a brother Danny that is only seen in the first season a few times, first time over for ANZAC day as he and Tom were Vietnam vets. He also asked Pippa to help him commit suicide as he was left in a wheelchair from the war which she declined to do.

Foster child Frank was going to marry his fiancee Roo, until he found out that she was pregnant by another man. Frank later married fellow foster child Bobby Simpson in 1989. They eventually divorced. Pippa and Tom later adopted Sally.

Pippa and Tom fostered children as Pippa had rheumatic fever as a child, it weakened her heart and doctors warned her that she should not have children. Tom had a vasectomy to prevent her falling pregnant but against all odds they conceived one biological child together, who they called Christopher. Tom died in 1990, following a heart attack and stroke. Pippa married Michael Ross in 1991 and fell pregnant in 1992, giving birth to Dale Ross. Unfortunately, Dale died from SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Michael later drowned in the 1996 floods.

Also in 1996 Pippa was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her years of service as a foster carer. She left in 1998, marrying Ian Routledge in 1999.

In 2000, Pippa, along with many other past residents, returned to Summer Bay for Sally's failed wedding to Kieran Fletcher.

In 2002, she made video for Sally at Summer Bay's 150th anniversary celebrations. Four of her former foster children (Sally, Steven, Sophie, and Carly) were among those involved in the Miragini disaster.

Pippa returned to The Bay again in 2003 for Sally's wedding to Flynn and in 2005 for Alf's 60th.

She returned again 2006 when Flynn died and then she returned to The Bay twice in 2007.

Pippa made two appearances in 2008, the first to be there for Sally after her second stabbing, the next to help with her departure.

When Irene left on her trip in 2009, Alf called Pippa to look after Geoff and Annie and stayed for week.

Some of Pippa's foster children throughout the years: Sally Keating/Fletcher, Frank Morgan, Carly Morris, Lynn Davenport, Steven Matheson, Sophie Simpson (also her daughter Tamara), Finlay and Damian Roberts, Sam Marshall, Sarah Thompson, Jack Wilson, Shannon Reed, Liam Tanner, Tiegan Brook and Justine Welles to name a few.

Reception

Pippa was placed sixth in TV Week's list of the "Top 10 Aussie TV mums". A writer for the publication said "Kind-hearted Pippa helped dozens of fosters kids, along with her own son, Dale, get on the straight and narrow with reliable doses of tough love. Pippa oversaw Sally's (Kate Ritchie) progress from child to independent woman, and once Sally was on her feet, Pippa left town to make a new life. Being a good mum, Pippa has returned for all the family's rites of passage."

The episode featuring the death of Pippa's newborn son, Dale, won the Australian Film Institute award for Best Episode In A Television Drama Serial in 1993. It was presented to executive producer, Andrew Howie.

References

• Mercado, Andrew (2004). Super Aussie Soaps. Pluto Press Australia. ISBN 978-1-86403-191-1.