Rowena Wallace

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Rowena Wallace
Rowena Wallace.jpg
Born (1947-08-23) 23 August 1947 (age 77)
OccupationActress
Years active1962–present
Known for Sons and Daughters as Patricia "Pat the Rat" Hamilton/Morrell/Palmer
Notable work
Spouse
(m. 1973;div. 1974)

Rowena Wallace (born 23 August 1947) is an English-born Australian stage and screen actress, most especially in the genre of television soap opera. She is best known for her Gold Logie-winning role as conniving Patricia "Pat the Rat" Hamilton/Morrell/Palmer in Sons and Daughters , being the first soap star to win the Gold Logie. [1] After leaving the series and being replaced in the role by Belinda Giblin, Wallace returned in the final season as Patricia's sister Pamela Hudson.

Contents

She started her career on the small screen in the late 1960s in serial You Can't See 'Round Corners as well as appearing in that serial's film version and then had regular roles in TV series including Crawford Productions Division 4 , Number 96 and Cop Shop and in 1980–1981 became well known for her stint as Anne Griffin in cult series Prisoner.

After Sons and Daughters , she subsequently appeared primarily in guest roles and cameos in numerous TV serials, before again returning to more permanent fixtures in regular roles from 2000 to 2003 in Home and Away as June Reynolds, in Neighbours in 2007 as Mary Casey and in Deadly Women as gangland figure Judy Moran in 2012.

She has appeared as herself as a panellist on talk show Beauty and the Beast and featured regularly on Bert Newton's popular morning breakfast show Good Morning Australia .

Early life

Rowena Wallace was born in Coventry, West Midlands, England, as an only child. She moved to Australia with her parents when she was five, settling in the state of Queensland. Her father was a pilot for Ansett Airlines. Initially she grew up in Cairns and later moved to Brisbane at the age of 12 years. There, she attended Kedron State High School. After finishing school she became interested in acting and was taken by her mother to dancing lessons at, and was also persuaded to join, the Twelfth Night Theatre under the artistic direction of Joan Whalley.

At age fifteen, having left school and attended a business college at the insistence of her parents, Wallace decided to become an actress. She joined an advertising agency while still performing in the theatre at night.

Career

Early roles

Wallace's first television role was in Brisbane as an entertainer on the variety show Theatre Royal hosted by George Wallace Jnr (no relation). She also presented the afternoon news and weather and a children's show.

While she was working in Brisbane, Barry Creyton persuaded the producers of a new series to fly Wallace down to Sydney to audition for the lead role in their show. As a result Wallace won the role of Margie Harris in You Can't See 'Round Corners in 1967 and moved to Sydney. She would also feature in the 1969 film version. [2]

After completing Round Corners, she went on to star as the juvenile lead in a short-run TV series called The Rovers; meanwhile, she also starred in the hit comedy stage production between takes of The Rovers with John McCallum and Googie Withers. The show, Relatively Speaking , played to packed audiences in Melbourne. [2]

On 12 February 1970, the film Squeeze a Flower had its world premiere in Sydney. Wallace starred in the movie as the female lead, opposite international Italian film star Walter Chiari. By 1972, she had found work intermittently. In 1973 she married George Assang, some 20 years her senior, a Thursday Island-born jazz singer and actor known professionally as Vic Sabrino. [3] The marriage lasted just over a year, and Wallace has had no long-term relationships since then.[ citation needed ]

"The Rovers" was a production that soon led to the Number 96 smash hit TV series. Produced by NLT Productions, executive producer was Bill Harmon and producer Don Cash, who would become famous for creating Number 96. The series was created by Roger Mirams and starred Rowena Wallace, Edward Hepple, Noel Trevarthen and child actor Grant Seiden. The storylines revolve around the adventures of the crew of the Pacific Lady, an island schooner owned by Captain Sam McGill (or 'Cap' for short), played by Hepple, Bob Wild (a freelance photographer) played by Trevarthen and Rusty Collins, a wildlife journalist (played by Wallace).

Number 96 and Prisoner

In the late 1970s she appeared frequently on Australian television, with an ongoing role in the soap opera Number 96 in 1975–1976, followed by a regular role in the police drama Cop Shop , playing policeman's wife Pamela Taylor. [2] After leaving that series she played a mentally unbalanced remand prisoner named Anne Griffin in Prisoner for several weeks in late 1980.

Sons and Daughters

Rowena Wallace's most famous role was in the soap opera Sons and Daughters , in which she played Patricia Dunne/Hamilton/Morrell/Palmer, starting in 1981. [2] Nicknamed "Pat the Rat", the character became an immensely popular 'bitch' figure in the series; it was the series' most famous character.

In 1984 Wallace won a Gold Logie for the portrayal [2] during an era when Gold Logies were usually won by major television personalities and hosts but not actors. She was the first woman soap actress to win the award since it was opened up to Most Popular Australian Personality.[ clarification needed ] She was not the first female to win the Gold Logie, that honour going to Australian actress Lorrae Desmond. Wallace also received four Silver Logies.

Wallace left Sons and Daughters after three years, with her final scenes going to air early in 1985 just after her Gold Logie win. [2] Wallace claimed in a reunion documentary that she left due to exhaustion from playing such an intense character. She also claimed she regretted walking away from the role as she did not get the later acting offers she had anticipated. The popularity of her character led to it being recast, with Belinda Giblin assuming the role of a returning Patricia after extensive cosmetic surgery had altered her facial features. Late in the show's run, with ratings in decline, Wallace was returned to the series in an attempt to boost the show's popularity. With Giblin remaining in the show, Wallace now played a new character, that of Patricia's long-lost identical twin sister Pamela. Her return lasted ten weeks but did little to halt the show's dwindling ratings, and the show was cancelled shortly afterwards.

Home and Away and Neighbours

Between years 2000 and 2003 Wallace appeared in the weeknight soap opera Home and Away as June Reynolds. [4]

In 2007 Wallace joined the cast of Neighbours for several months. [5] She played Mary Casey, an unstable woman [5] who ended up in prison for the false imprisonment of Pepper Steiger. Mary's cellmate turned out to be Sky Mangel.

Other roles

In 2012 Wallace starred as Melbourne gangland matriarch Judy Moran in the Foxtel series Deadly Women . [6]

In September 2016 Wallace had a cameo in Wonthaggi Theatrical Group's production of Little Shop of Horrors as the narrator.

Personal life

Wallace was briefly married to George Assang from 1973 to 1974.

At the age of nineteen, Wallace was diagnosed with scoliosis. She has required painkillers almost continuously since then.

Between July 1999 and November 2003, Wallace was collecting a disability support pension, despite being actively employed by television series such as Water Rats , Beauty and the Beast and Good Morning Australia . [7] In October 2005, she was charged with social security fraud, and given a suspended sentence of six months' imprisonment. [7]

In August 2010, Wallace was the subject of a Today Tonight special feature on the Seven Network, where she was reportedly nearly broke and on the verge of becoming homeless. The following week, a number of offers to take her in were made by Australians around the country.

In March 2011, she was the subject of more media coverage, this time because the unit she occupied at subsidised rent in Wonthaggi, Victoria was due for demolition in August 2011 and she feared she would have nowhere to live. The rent in Wonthaggi had doubled or even tripled due to the Victorian Desalination Plant being constructed nearby, but her pension would not even cover her rent. [8]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleType
1969 You Can't See 'round Corners Margie HarrisFeature film
1970 Squeeze a Flower June PhillipsFeature film
1976A Break In The MusicUnknownFilm short
1981 Puberty Blues Mrs. KnightFeature film
1982 The Dark Room Liz LlewellynFeature film
1985 Relatives Nancy PetersonFeature film
1986 Backstage Evelyn HoughFeature film
1987 Strike of the Panther Lucy AndrewsFeature film
1989 Cappuccino AnnaFeature film
1995 Blackwater Trail BethFeature film
1998DesireUnknownFilm short (Tropfest)
2012Ryder CountryRebecca RyderFeature film
2019Magdala RoseLady Corba de PéreilleFeature film [9]

Television

YearTitleRoleType
1964 Theatre Royal Regular role: SelfTV series
1964Beauty and the BeastSelf – PanelistTV series
1967–1968 You Can't See 'Round Corners Regular role: Margie HarrisTV series, 26 episodes
1968 Contrabandits Guest role: CaroleTV series, 1 episode: "A Game for Two Players"
1968 Hunter Guest role: SueTV series, 1 Episode: "Sue"
1969 Riptide Guest role: Cathy SmithTV series, episode 3: "Affair at Mangrove Creek"
1969 Riptide Guest role: XenaTV series, episode 21: "Good Friday Island"
1969–1970 The Rovers Regular role: Rusty CollinsTV series, 39 episodes
1970–1971 Dynasty Guest roles: Betty Westlake / Jill CampbellTV series, episode 4: "Young Jim Westlake", "Corrida for A Stuntman"
1970–1971 Barrier Reef Regular role: Tracey DeaneTV series, 22 episodes
1971 Spike Milligan Special SelfTV special
1971 What for Marianne? TV film
1971 Spyforce Guest role: Patricia "Trish" MathewsTV series, episode 24: "The Lovers"
1971; 1973 Matlock Police Guest roles: Sally Broughton / Kate White / Susan StoneTV series, 3 episodes: "Olsen's Ghost", "Cup Fever", "Jeff's Missing"
1971–1974; 1975 Division 4 Guest roles: Andrea Hayes / Betty Miller / Brenda Kelly / Ann Marshall / WPC Diane Webster / WPC Jane BellTV series, 15 episodes
1971Vision EscalatorTV film
1972 Boney Guest role: Kat LoaderTV series, episode 3: "Boney Meets The Daybreak Killer"
1972–1973 Homicide Guest roles: WPC Primrose Taylor / Ruth MorganTV series, 2 episodes: "I Love You Primrose Taylor", "Follow The Leader"
1973A Brace and a BitTV pilot
1973 And Millions Will Die! Maggi ChristopherTV film
1973–1974 Ryan Guest roles: Kate / Sue Ogilvie / Zita / Holly BeckettTV series, 4 episodes: "King's Bishop to Queen Three"; "Miss. Ogilvie Repents"; "Red Alert"; "Goodbye Holly Beckett"
1974 The Evil Touch Guest role: Jean LewisTV series, episode 20: "Kadaitcha Country"
1974 Silent Number Guest role: Sylvia MarshTV series, episode 8: "Dark Corridors"
1974 Out of Love Guerst role: Julia MartinTV series, episode 1: "I Don't Want To Know"
1975 Shannon's Mob Guest role: EstelleTV series, episode 9: "Loser Takes All"
1975Prophet in LoveTV film
1975–1976 Number 96 Recurring role: Muriel ThompsonTV series, 18 episodes
1976 McCloud Guest role: Jennifer McGeeTV series, season 6, episode 7: "Night Of The Shark"
1976 Power Without Glory Recurring role: Harriet MarshallTV miniseries, 11 episodes
1976 Murcheson Creek Karen FieldsTV film
1976 Taggart's Treasure TV film
1976 Bobby Dazzler Guest role: Ruth RierdonTV series, episode 14: "The New Guard"
1977 Bluey Guest role: Jean AndersonTV series, episode 26: "The Changeling"
1977 Moynihan Guest roleTV series, 1 episode
1977 Going Home Jacqueline NewtonTV film
1977–1979 Cop Shop Regular role: Pamela TaylorTV series, 158 episodes
1977 Glenview High Guest role: Pam WilsonTV series, episode 10: "Quiet Nights and Silent Deaths"
1978 Catspaw Regular role: Kate KeppelTV series, 7 episodes
1979 Burn the Butterflies Dr. Trish MorrisonTeleplay / TV film
1979Ray Lawler TrilogySelf – PresenterTeleplay series, 3 episodes
1980 Water Under the Bridge Regular role: Honor MazziniTV miniseries, 4 episodes
1980 Skyways Guest role: Ann WallaceTV series, episode 148: "Spaces"
1980–1981 Prisoner Recurring role: Anne GriffinTV series, 8 episodes
1981 Holiday Island Guest role: Marjorie QuinnTV series, 2 episodes: "Zack", "Island Queen"
1981 Outbreak of Love Diana Von FlugelTV miniseries
1981 The Willow Bend Mystery (aka The Mesmerist)Regular role: LindaTV miniseries, 5 episodes screened in 1983
1982–1985 Sons and Daughters Regular role: Patricia Hamilton / Patricia Morrell / Patricia PalmerTV series, 480 episodes
1985 Glass Babies Dr Gloria McCraeTV miniseries, 2 episodes
1987 Sons and Daughters Recurring role: Pamela HudsonTV series, 40 episodes
1988Tender Loving CareTV pilot, never aired
1988 All the Way Elaine SeymourTV miniseries, 3 episodes
1988–1989 All the Way Regular role: Elaine SeymourTV series, 26 episodes
1989 Mission: Impossible Guest role: Major Natalia ZorbuskayaTV series, episode 8: "The Pawn"
1989 G.P. Guest role:TV series, 1 episode
1990 Flair Pamela Winter-SmithTV miniseries; 2 episodes
1990 More Winners: The Big Wish The QueenTV film series, 1 episode
1992 The Flying Doctors Recurring Guest role: Paulina GigliaTV series, season 9, episode 27: "Wimp"
1992 A Country Practice Guest role: Justice Patricia LincolnTV series, season 12, episode 71: "Nothing But the Truth: Part 1"
1995 G.P. Guestrole: Elizabeth ArmstrongTV series, episode 24: "Private Faces, Public Places"
1995 Echo Point Recurring role: Elizabeth O'ConnorTV series, 5 episodes
1996 Shark Bay Regular role: Clarissa DelaneyTV series
1997–1998 Pacific Drive Recurring role: Mara de Villenois / Mara DevlinTV series
2000 All Saints Guest role: Katrina FordTV series, season 3, episode 4: "Eye Of The Beholder"
2000 Pizza Guest role: Anne GriffinTV series, episode 9: "Gambling Pizza"
2000 Water Rats Guest role: Dolly MunroTV series, season 5, episode 30: "Remember This"
2000–2003 Home and Away Recurring role: June Reynolds TV series, 20 episodes
2001 The Finder (aka Trackdown)Irene DavidsonTV film
2003Code 11-14Mrs. ShawTV film
2007 Neighbours Recurring role: Mary Casey TV series, 14 episodes
2012 Deadly Women Judy MoranTV series [10]
2012 Micro Nation Tottie NesbitTV series, episode: "Meet Pullamawang"

Television (as self)

YearTitleRoleType
1984On the Edge of SurvivalPresenterTV special
1984Russian Spectacular With Torvill And DeanHostTV special
1985Return to Children in CrisisPresenterTV special
1986A Chance to LivePresenterTV special
1987Fight for SurvivalPresenterTV special
1989Save the ChildrenPresenterTV special
1990Some of My ChildrenPresenterTV special
1991Cry ChildrenPresenterTV special

Theatre

YearTitleRoleType
1963 Hamlet
1964 Calamity Jane Jane La Boite
1965 King Lear
1965 Little Red Riding Hood
1966God Save the Queen
1970 Relatively Speaking Virginia Phillip Street Theatre, Princess Theatre, Melbourne, Canberra Theatre, Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide, Theatre Royal, Hobart
1973A Break in the Music Independent Theatre
1973By Candlelight
1974 Old Times UNSW Studio One
1981 Rattle of a Simple Man Cyrenne Regal Theatre, Perth
1985 Stepping Out Regal Theatre, Perth, Opera Theatre, Adelaide, Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, Canberra Theatre Centre
1986-87A Coupla White Chicks
1987 Bedroom Farce Playhouse Theatre, Perth
1989 How the Other Half Loves Glen Street Theatre, Laycock Street Theatre, Twelfth Night Theatre, Gold Coast Arts Centre
1989 42nd Street
1990 Blithe Spirit Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Twelfth Night Theatre, Gold Coast Arts Centre, Laycock Street Theatre, Sydney Opera House
1991Double ActAustralian national tour
1992 Same Time, Next Year Glen Street Theatre, Playhouse Theatre, Perth
1993 Lend Me a Tenor Glen Street Theatre
1993Deceptions Riverside Theatres Parramatta
1994Night of 1001 Stars
1997 Rebecca Twelfth Night Theatre
2000 Follies
2000 The Sound of Music Frau Schmidt Burswood Dome, Festival Theatre, Adelaide
2001 The Vagina Monologues
2002Bench Darlinghurst Theatre
2003 The Full Monty Molly MacGregor State Theatre, Melbourne
2006Mavis Bramston ReloadedVarious characters Brisbane City Hall, Twin Towns Services Club
2008Theatresports
2016 Little Shop of Horrors NarratorWonthaggi Theatrical Group
2020 The Secret Garden Mrs Medlock Sydney Lyric Theatre (cancelled due to COVID)

Source: [11]

Awards

YearAssociationCategoryWorkResult
1983 Logie Awards Silver Logie for Most Popular Lead Actress Sons and Daughters Won
1984Logie Awards Gold Logie Sons and DaughtersWon
1984Logie AwardsSilver Logie for Most Popular ActressSons and DaughtersWon
1984Logie AwardsSilver Logie for Best Actress in a SeriesSons and DaughtersWon
1985Logie AwardsSilver Logie for Best Lead Actress in a SeriesSons and DaughtersWon

References

  1. "CV Rowena Wallace" (PDF). bgmagency.com.au.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Rowena Wallace Career Page". memorabletv.com. Archived from the original on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  3. "Classic Australian Television Interview Rowena Wallace". TV Eye No 3. October 1994.
  4. "Best Character Awards : 68 to 40..." p. 66. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  5. 1 2 Casey, Marcus (11 April 2007). "Pat the Rat is back". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  6. https://m.facebook.com/FOXTEL/photos/a.10150236821355074.476209.14922765073/10152072044190074 [ user-generated source ]
  7. 1 2 McClymont, Kate (12 October 2005). "Actor spared jail for benefits fraud". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  8. "Gold Logie winner Rowena Wallace needs a home". Herald Sun. 21 March 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. Magdala Rose (2019) - IMDb , retrieved 7 December 2020
  10. "Foxtel". facebook.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  11. "AusStage".