‘I'LL KEEP WORKING UNTIL I DROP!'

Even a terrifying new health battle isn’t enough to stop screen legend, Rowena Wallace, from living life to the fullest

- Joshua Joynes

Like many of us out there, Rowena Wallace had big plans this year. The screen legend was thrilled to be joining the cast of The Secret Garden stage musical in Sydney and Melbourne, but sadly her grand return was derailed by the pandemic.

“I thought here it is, this was going to be my new chance, a new life for me,” she confesses to Woman’s Day. “But that’s all changed now.”

CRIPPLING INFECTION

Sadly, this year has only become more complicated for the 73-year-old, who made a name for herself starring as the tough-as-nails Patricia “Pat the Rat” Hamilton on Seven’s ’80s soap opera Sons And Daughters.

Just a few months after the musical’s sudden cancellation, Rowena was diagnosed with a crippling bone infection, which tragically led to her having a toe on her right foot amputated.

“The condition is osteomyelitis, and let me tell you, it’s not very pleasant and there’s no cure for it, so I’ve just had to remain very careful with myself,” she explains.