Colette Mann

Career

Mann appeared as Doreen Burns in Prisoner from 1979–1982, with return appearances in 1983 and in 1984. She has appeared in The Flying Doctors, MDA and Blue Heelers. In 1988, Mann portrayed the role of "Edith Fraser" in the American Television movie, Outback Bound, which also starred American actors, Donna Mills and John Schneider. From late 1995, Mann took over the role of Cheryl Stark in the soap opera Neighbours for eight weeks when Caroline Gillmer was taken ill. From February 2012, Mann joined the cast of Neighbours again as regular character, Sheila Canning.

Mann has also appeared as a presenter on many TV shows including The Don Lane Show, Hey Hey It's Saturday, What's Cooking, Good Morning Australia and The Circle. Mann has been a fill-in presenter for Glenn Ridge on talk back radio MTR 1377.

Mann was part of a three-woman troupe in the 1980s called The Mini Busettes with fellow Prisoner actresses Jane Clifton and Betty Bobbitt. They performed for three seasons at Melbourne's Le Joke comedy venue and at many Sydney League's Clubs.

Mann played the role of Buttercup in Opera Australia's acclaimed production of HMS Pinafore by Gilbert and Sullivan in 2005. Her portrayal of the "bumboat woman" was contrary to most performances of this role – her singing voice was more coarse than most contraltos or mezzo-sopranos who tackle this role. This production is available on DVD. Mann also appeared on stage as Shirley, the battleaxe owner of Broken Hill pub, in Priscilla Queen of the Desert - the Musical in 2010.

Author

Mann has been a regular feature writer in New Idea magazine. She wrote about her life and that of her sons. Mann has also written two books entitled It's A Mann's World (released in 1990); and Give Me A Break (released in 2002).