Career
Phelan had an ongoing role in soap opera Bellbird in the early 1970s. In the late 1970s she played guest roles in Prisoner. She took the role of a prison officer (Officer Manson), appearing in one episode of the series in 1979.
This character had the sole purpose of threatening to resign over the favourable treatment afforded to prisoner Barbara Davidson in episode 17.
Later in 1979 she reappeared in the series, this time playing the role of dopey prisoner Bernadette in a number of episodes. She first appeared on screen as Myra Desmond on a recurring basis between 1980 and 1983.
Myra was then reintroduced to the series in early 1984 as a regular character, and continued in the role for a further eighteen months. Anne"s passionate and commanding performance on screen would make Myra Desmond one of Prisoner"s most memorable and iconic characters.
Myras brutal exit from the show was arguably the most dramatic exit of any character and remains a fan favourite.
Phelan"s other soap roles include Starting Out (1983), Family and Friends (1990), and Something in the Air (2000–2002). She has made guest starring appearances in many drama series including The Flying Doctors and Blue Heelers. She has also made two guest appearances in Neighbours, the first in 1997, was the character of Claudia Harvey and the second, which was in 2004, was of Doreen "Peace Dove" Cassidy.
In 2007, Phelan appeared in episode 6 of The Librarians as a prisoner with the Prisoner theme song.
She is currently starring in the Australian drama/ comedy Winners & Losers. Phelan has used her fame and celebrity to help raise money for The Choir of Hard Knocks made up mostly of people who are homeless, in Melbourne"s streets in late 2006.
She performed and sang with the choir when they busked to save money to perform at the Melbourne Town Hall. American Film Institute Awards – Television.
