Virginia Gay
Virginia Gay (born 16 September 1981) is an Australian actress most known for her work on the Australian TV dramas "Winners & Losers" (as Frances James), and "All Saints" (as Gabrielle Jaeger). Education. Born in Sydney, Gay attended Summer Hill Public School and Newtown High School of the Performing Arts in Sydney as a drama and music student. She studied English literature and performance studies at Sydney University and was a member of the Sydney University Dramatic Society from 2001 to 2003. She left university and enrolled at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Career. While still  at WAAPA, Gay unsuccessfully auditioned for the role of Ricky on "All Saints". However, she impressed the directors so much that after graduation in 2006, she was called in to audition for the role of Gabrielle Jaeger. She appeared in the final four seasons of the show, between 2006 and 2009. In 2008, she appeared with Ian Moss (of Cold Chisel fame) as her professional partner on the reality series "It Takes Two" and the pair came third. Gay and Moss made "It Takes Two" history, scoring a 10 from judge Ross Wilson in their first performance on the show . In October 2008, Gay was part of the cast in a concert performance of the musical "Breast Wishes" in support of Breast Cancer. In February/March 2009, when Shane Jenek (Courtney Act) injured his leg in a skiing accident, Gay was asked to replace Jenek in the production "Gentlemen Prefer Blokes" for the Mardi Gras festival. From March 2011, Gay portrayed Frances James in the TV series "Winners & Losers" on the Seven Network. During August 2012, Gay performed her cabaret show "Dirty Pretty Songs" at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in The Famous Spiegeltent. In 2016, Gay became a regular guest  panelist on the ABC's "First Tuesday Book Club" hosted by Jennifer Byrne. That year Gay also played the title character in Hayes Theatre Co's production of "Calamity Jane". It was directed by Richard Carroll with musical director Nigel Ubrihien, choreographer Cameron Mitchell, and producer Michelle Guthrie. The show ran from August 3 to 7. Controversies. In June 2008, Gay was the victim of a violent assault by two men in the suburb of Marrickville in Sydney. The men then went on to murder chef Daniel Owen. Charity work. In May 2009, Gay was the national ambassador for Cystic  Fibrosis Australia's annual awareness and fundraising campaign 65 Roses Day. Gay also attends the Good Friday Appeal held in Melbourne every year to support the Royal Children's Hospital.