Simon Fitzgerald
Simon arrived as a new pupil at Summer Bay High and impressed Lois with his exemplary reference from his previous school. When trying to open his locker, he recognised Blake and Sophie learnt the pair had grown up in the same area. Simon explained his father, a chartered accountant, got sick of the city and decided to move to Summer Bay. He was quick to make his presence known, photocopying an image of pig and pinning it to Lois’ jacket. He quickly showed an interest in Finlay. She played a prank on her, which led to him getting revenge, putting her in bad stead with Lois as a result. As he cemented himself as part of the teen group, Simon developed a crush on Sophie, but she rejected his advances. He and Blake decided to go to a Rat Cap concert with Sophie and Finlay, but when Finlay backed out and Blake was restricted from going by Alf, he and Sophie went together. Simon failed to purchase return tickets, resulting in them both getting a fine.
As his father Bill tried to swoop in on Alf and Ailsa, Simon was forced to reveal that he had been involved in several embezzlement incidences in the city, which caused the pair to move to Summer Bay. When Bill found out Simon had told Blake, he punched him, causing Simon to move in with the Stewarts permanently. Simon’s relationship with Sophie also developed, until Sophie broke it up, unable to tell him she was pregnant with David’s baby. Finlay broke the news to Simon, who promised to be by her side every step of the way. When she broke the news of her pregnancy to Pippa, Simon told her that he was the father. It wasn’t long before the truth emerged and Sophie fled the bay. Meanwhile, Simon was caught in another lie when Alf learnt that Bill wasn’t coming back to the Bay and he knew. Determined to start fresh, he was touched when Alf told him he could stay with them.
When Bill wrote to say he wanted Simon to move to be with him, Simon refused, until Sophie told him that there was no chance for them. Simon changed his mind, and prepared to leave the bay. However, he had a change of heart and decided to try to convince Sophie to be with him. She tried to make him jealous, and told him that she didn’t want him. He was forced to head off when he learnt that his father had been accused of embezzlement. After a week away, Simon returned, explaining his father had to wait two months for a trial. Blake was elated to see his friend, but was crushed when Simon said he was only back to pack his belongings. Before he was meant to leave, he received a letter from Bill, asking him not to join him.
Simon helped support Blake when he fell in love with terminally ill Meg, and was a pillar of strength for him as she died. He also developed a friendship with Ryan, who grew close to Sophie. When the surf club was closed by council due to financial mismanagement, Simon and Blake lead a crusade to have it reopened, with Alf at a time believing they vandalised his store. When Sally came up with an idea for a fun run, Simon was qucik to jump on board, but had to convince Blake. Simon made a bet with him that he couldn’t beat him in a race and when good fortune saw him come across a horse, he rode it to beat Blake. Despite Blake’s anger when he found out, Simon managed to get him to participate in the fun run.
Simon and Blake landed themselves in hot water when they found Adam’s black book and Simon invited a lady over. When Adam realised what the pair were up to, he and Alf hatched a plan to catch them out. They created a fake lady and Simon called her, and was caught out. Alf punished the pair by forcing them to stock shelves. Blake was chosen for an exchange program a few weeks later and left temporarily, leaving Simon to befriend his replacement. When it was revealed to be a girl named Toni, Simon was immediately enamoured. Although she was hot and cold, the pair were caught kissing by Alf. They pursued a short-lived romance.
After months of silence, Simon received a letter from Bill, who revealed he had been released from prison and was planning on making a fresh start. He grappled with what to do, but ultimately wrote a letter and left town to join his father.