Penny McNamee’s Home and Away character, Tori Morgan couldn’t escape the all-encompassing drama. But she couldn’t be further from it in real life, judging by the family photos she shares with her fans.
The actress exploded on Aussie screens in 2016 with her flawless depiction of Tori, who helmed a troubled family under witness protection.
Her character’s cool, calm and collected nature has got her through some seriously difficult and wild curveballs before leaving Summer Bay in September 2021, and despite Penny’s real life seeming much less dramatic, she seems to emanate the very same poise and grace she so translates to the screen.
You have to hand it to Penny, she’s seemingly balanced motherhood with a hugely successful acting and singing career like a certified pro.
A favourite of Home and Away fans, the 41-year-old shares to thousands of Instagram follows who are regularly treated to sneak peaks of her family life with nine-year-old Jack, five-year-old Neve and partner Matt Tooker.
In an interview with TV WEEK, Penny revealed how her family dynamic had changed since her youngest child reached a significant milestone.
“[Neve] just learned to ride a bike without training wheels and has taken off her floatie,” she said..” It means we can go to the beach without all these flotation devices; we can go on family bike rides. We’ve been doing a lot more adventuring together.”
She also confessed to our sister site New Idea that she initially struggled to create a family because of her chronic disease.
“Matt and I struggled to have children, so we feel very, very blessed to have the little two that we have,” shared Penny.
So keep scrolling because we’ve rounded up the family’s best moments in pictures.
When Penny and her family got to the other side of their 10-day stint isolating with COVID, they packed their bags and headed for the river to have a sun-soaked dip after some serious cabin fever.
She celebrated returning to life outside the four corners of their house by captioning her river-side snaps, “After 10 days at home with Covid, freezing, muddy, river water has never felt so good! ⛰💦🐟.”
And just like that, little Neve isn’t so little anymore! The McNamee’s rang in their youngest’s kid’s milestone third birthday with a gorgeous homemade pink three shaped cake with horse candles.
Penny marked the occasion by sharing a family picture taken with the cake and a cute moment she shared with her daughter while teaching her ballet.
“This is 3!!!” wrote the actor.
The McNamee household is an arty one! Penny shared this picture of her children bonding over an art project, which she captioned, “Crafty morning.”
The family posed for this joyful Christmas snap, which Penny captioned, “Tooker’s wearing a shirt with a motif. It’s a Christmas miracle. 💫.”
Penny and her mini-me!! The actor captioned this moment with a barb at her husband’s expense.
“But the best performance of the night goes to @matt_tooker, who after 39 years,
took a good photo. (He has other gifts),” she joked.
Neve and Penny garden together! The toddler is so precious helping in her rain boots.
When summer finally peeked through the winter cold, the mother and daughter duo went out for a beach day.
Penny’s children will always have each other’s backs, and her cute Instagram story of Jack cuddling and laughing with Neve further proves that prediction.
“Love bugs,” wrote Penny.
Mum hugs are the best kind of hugs – and Jack certainly knows it.
The actress got real during the COVID-19 lockdown, writing: “Listen, whatever the opposite of a doomsayer is, I’m that. So I’ve been thinking… one good thing that comes from troubling times is how clear one’s priorities become. Skinny thighs and vacuumed floors are over-rated.But cuddles are excellent.”
That cheeky little glance from baby Neve has officially melted our hearts – and Penny’s heart too, by the looks of things. Watch what was happening behind the camera in the player below…
Penny McNamee from Home and Away attempts to play the piano with her daughter Neve
Some seriously slick shoes there, Neve!
Family snap! To honour Neve’s first birthday, Penny shared a gorgeous snap of the whole family.
And then she one-upped it with this ridiculously adorable moment. That smile!
A family that goes on coastal walks together… couldn’t look any sweeter if they tried. This stunning sunset snap was shared by Penny back in November 2019.
“Just making sure you’re still there…” – Neve and mum Penny are two peas in a pod.
Seriously, could these two be any cuter? The matching hats are sending us!
Heartwarming: Jack and Neve’s bond was forged from the very start.
Moments like these… aren’t always as they seem – Penny is all about keeping things real, sharing this sweet snap with a refreshing caption: “Honestly, taking a baby to the beach is like moving house… the amount of stuff you need to take! But whenever I do it, I never regret it. The salt, the breeze, the sand… it’s messy and chaotic and glorious! Just like parenthood. This year, I’m committed to doing more of this.”
A big brother-to-be – Penny and Jack enjoy a quiet moment before welcoming a very special addition to their family.
Thick as thieves, Penny and Jack are big fans of the great outdoors.
“The Dance of the Nutella Apple Plum Fairy”. A 3-Act Ballet,” Penny wrote on Instagram.
Babycinos are life, according to one very satisfied young Jack…
Penny has high hopes. “Jack Pablo Picasso: abstract painter and paint taste-tester. 🎨,” she comically quipped.
There is no such thing as too much family time!
“A lot has changed since I was a kid… but Dad’s winter bonfires remain a staple,” Penny reminisces in the caption for this photo.
This sweet snap was taken by Penny’s dear friend Kate who has gone from photographing the star on a night out to capturing her family.
“Not even the knuckle-puck could get past this dynamic duo! 💥” wrote Penny with this pic.
Swinging through life all together.
Will Neve grow up to be a performer like her mum?
Penny and her min-me!
Penny and her family exploring rural Australia.
Penny and Neve enjoying some bonding time over the Easter holidays.
A little artist in the making.
Penny McNamee with her son, Jack
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