The sun appears to be slowly setting on one of the most extraordinary chapters in Australian television history. After nearly four decades as the beating heart of Home and Away,

Ray Meagher is reportedly preparing to say goodbye to the show that not only defined his career, but also shaped generations of viewers. For fans across Australia

and around the world, the possibility of a future Home and Away without Alf Stewart is nothing short of devastating.

Ray Meagher has been synonymous with Home and Away since its very first episode aired in 1988. When audiences were first introduced to the rugged coastal town of Summer Bay, Alf Stewart stood firmly at its center—gruff, opinionated, fiercely loyal, and unmistakably human. Over the years, Alf evolved from a blunt, hard-edged shopkeeper into the emotional backbone of the community, a man whose presence alone could steady a crisis or spark a fiery confrontation. Through it all, Meagher’s portrayal remained unwaveringly authentic, grounding the show even as storylines grew more dramatic and expansive.

Alf Stewart has survived just about every catastrophe imaginable. Bushfires, plane crashes, explosions, violent assaults, terminal diagnoses, and heartbreaking personal losses have all come and gone, yet Alf endured. His resilience mirrored that of the show itself. No matter how intense the drama became, Alf always found his way back behind the counter of the bait shop or into the thick of Summer Bay’s latest crisis, armed with his iconic catchphrases—“Stone the crows!” and “Flamin’ mongrels!”—that became part of Australian pop culture.

Behind the scenes, Ray Meagher’s commitment has been nothing short of remarkable. At an age when many actors have long since retired, Meagher continued to meet the demanding schedule of a daily soap, learning scripts, filming long hours, and delivering consistently powerful performances. His dedication has been widely recognized, most notably with the Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television—an honor that reflected not just his longevity, but the deep affection audiences hold for him.

However, as recent reports suggest, time has inevitably entered the conversation. At 80 years old, Meagher has been open about the physical toll of maintaining such a rigorous workload. While he has repeatedly signed short-term contracts, allowing him to stay connected to the show without committing to long stretches, discussions about scaling back or stepping away entirely have grown more serious. Those close to production indicate that any upcoming “goodbye” is not the result of sudden drama, but rather a carefully considered decision rooted in health, balance, and quality of life.

Within the Home and Away cast and crew, the emotional impact of Meagher’s potential departure is profound. For many, he is far more than a co-star. New generations of actors have come and gone, often citing Ray Meagher as a mentor, a steady presence who set the tone both on and off camera. His professionalism, discipline, and dry humor helped define the culture of the show. Losing him, even gradually, feels like losing a guiding compass.

From a storytelling perspective, Alf Stewart’s exit represents an enormous creative challenge. Alf is not just another character; he is the last remaining original cast member and the living bridge between Home and Away’s past and present. He embodies the show’s history, its traditions, and its emotional continuity. Writing Alf out of Summer Bay—whether through retirement, relocation, or a carefully crafted farewell—will require extraordinary care. Fans have invested decades in this character, watching him grow, soften, stumble, and rise again. Any goodbye must honor that legacy.

Speculation continues about how the show will handle Alf’s future. Some believe the door will be left open, allowing Meagher to return for special appearances or milestone episodes. Others fear a more permanent farewell is on the horizon, one that would mark the end of an era in unmistakable terms. Regardless of the format, what remains clear is that Home and Away will never feel quite the same without Alf Stewart’s steady presence.

For viewers, the emotional weight is deeply personal. Many fans quite literally grew up with Alf Stewart, watching him navigate life alongside their own milestones. He was there for first crushes, family dinners, after-school routines, and quiet evenings in front of the television. Alf’s gruff wisdom, moral clarity, and unshakeable loyalty offered a sense of comfort and familiarity that few television characters ever achieve.

Ray Meagher’s legacy extends far beyond Summer Bay. Through Alf Stewart, he helped define what Australian television could be: authentic, grounded, emotionally resonant, and proudly local while still resonating with international audiences. Home and Away became a global phenomenon, launching countless careers and showcasing Australian storytelling to the world—and Alf was always there, anchoring it all.

As the year progresses and official announcements draw closer, fans are savoring every Alf moment with heightened emotion. Each scene carries added weight, each line delivered with the awareness that it could be among the last. Whether Ray Meagher’s goodbye comes as a final curtain call or a gentle step back into a recurring role, his impact is already indelible.

In the end, Ray Meagher didn’t just play Alf Stewart—he helped build Home and Away into the institution it is today. His presence shaped the soul of the show, and his departure, whenever it fully arrives, will mark one of the most significant turning points in Australian television history. For Summer Bay, and for the millions who have called it home for nearly 40 years, the sentiment remains painfully clear: Alf Stewart may leave the screen, but his spirit will forever live on.