<P> In 2018 , writers for TV Week included Irene in their feature on the `` Top 20 Home and Away characters of all time '' . They wrote , `` For more than 20 years , Irene has been the battler of Summer Bay . The resilient redhead has fought breast cancer , alcoholism and stalkers -- to name just a few . Yet she 's always bounced back using her strength and ' flippin ' heck ' catchphrase . Irene 's open - door policy has seen all walks of life receive her advice and a hot cuppa . But her kind heart gets her into strife . Most recently , the arrival of her troubled son Mick ( Kristian Schmid ) reopened a dark chapter and put her at odds with bestie and business partner Leah . '' </P>
<P> In 2018 , writers for TV Week included Irene in their feature on the `` Top 20 Home and Away characters of all time '' . They wrote , `` For more than 20 years , Irene has been the battler of Summer Bay . The resilient redhead has fought breast cancer , alcoholism and stalkers -- to name just a few . Yet she 's always bounced back using her strength and ' flippin ' heck ' catchphrase . Irene 's open - door policy has seen all walks of life receive her advice and a hot cuppa . But her kind heart gets her into strife . Most recently , the arrival of her troubled son Mick ( Kristian Schmid ) reopened a dark chapter and put her at odds with bestie and business partner Leah . '' </P>
who played irene 's son in home and away
who played irene 's son in home and away
Kristian Schmid
Kristian Schmid