It was 1993 when Australia first met Lisa McCune as Constable Maggie Doyle on Blue Heelers. McCune played that small town country cop for seven seasons, winning viewers’ hearts – and four straight Gold Logie awards.
McCune has gone on to a long list of TV and film roles. She is also a regular on stage and now stars in the Sydney Theatre Company production of Sweat, which tells the story of a group of plant workers confronting the decline of the US steel industry.
Whatever the role, McCune relies on one household object to get her up and moving. Here the Sydney-born, Perth-raised actor tells us about the coffee machine she rates above the rest, as well as sharing the stories of two other important belongings.
What I would save from my house in a fire
My jewellery box. I’m fortunate to have inherited heirloom pieces passed down through my family. These treasures hold deep personal value as they’re not just beautiful objects but direct links to generations past. Each piece carries a story. As their current custodian, I cherish the responsibility of preserving these family legacies.
Over the past year, with the help of a talented jeweller, I’ve embarked on a journey of restoring and reimagining these pieces. Some that have sat unworn for far too long are now being resized, repaired and reset. Seeing them come back to life has been a joy, and wearing them has sparked countless conversations, each one evoking memories and emotions tied to the past. I look forward to one day passing them on to my children and watching them become part of their family stories.
My most useful object
My coffee machine, an ECM Rocket, is my everyday go-to appliance and I truly believe the ritual of making my morning coffee is directly linked to my productivity. There are so many good machines out there but I’ve always had this brand. It suits me as I didn’t need to reroute any plumbing. It just sits on my kitchen bench and is great to look at.
A friend jokes about me never truly finding “coffee nirvana” – well, this comes pretty close. Freshly ground beans definitely make a big difference. And given coffee is now upward of $5 every time you buy one at a cafe, if it’s not great, it’s so disappointing (And a tip: if you can’t get good coffee, ask for a mocha. The chocolate masks a lot.)
The item I most regret losing
A little brown beret. It fit just right. Its shape was perfection. A flattering shade that held and hid my often-unkempt mane. Easy to throw in a handbag, not too warm for summer. A good all-rounder hat.
I remember where I left it – at a cinema in Brisbane after watching Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel. I think that’s why I forgot my beret. I loved the film and was talking too much as I walked out. I’m sure it was tossed out with the popcorn box and rubbish at the end of the session but it served me well and I’m yet to find a replacement that I love quite as much.
Lisa McCune stars in the Sydney Theatre Company production of Sweat, on now until 22 December 2024
