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Vale Renée Scott

By on March 26, 2012

Melbourne’s LGBTI community is mourning the loss of Pokeys and Les Girls legend Renée Scott who died on Sunday, March 25. She was 61.

The drag legend started her performing career with Les Girls at the Ritz in 1973 where she became renowned for her Night and Day performance with Graham Pengilly.

In 1977, Scott was invited to perform the number at the then new Sunday night event, Pokeys at the Prince of Wales Hotel.

Scott became a mainstay of the popular party, performing routinely for more than a decade.

For 14 years, Scott wowed Pokeys patrons with the likes of Debra Le Gae, Terri Tinsel and Michelle Tozer until the popular Sunday night closed in 1992.

Scott returned to the Prince of Wales Hotel in the ’90s and also donated her services to the Melbourne Rainbow Awards and the Fantasy Ball over the years.

Close friend and former dance partner Graham Pengilly said Scott was loyal and honest with an “incredibly dry wit”.

“For me, [she] was a vunerable person, I think that’s why she was such a good performer,” he said.

“She was, I have to say, the best dance partner I’ve ever had.

“She had done ballroom dancing when she was younger but she just had a real flair, that panache that you talk about.

“People talk about the ‘it’ factor on stage — she just had an ability to transport you beyond that, it became a much more credible performance.”

“That’s why people found her quite moving in her performance.

“I’d have to say apart from her poodles, apart from her dogs, I think performing was something she just loved.

“It was the one chance where she got the opportunity to show who she was as a person and a performer.

“I’m ever grateful for her because it was through her that I came to accept my life and myself.”

A special thanks to Alan Mayberry for additional information.

Photo: Gavin Brown

About Nick Bond

3 Comments

  1. Peter robinson

    March 26, 2012 at 3:38 pm


    A great talent & wonderful performer lost to us Fare thee well Renee

  2. Brad

    April 3, 2012 at 1:16 am


    Renee is and was the most amazing person with heart and
    Personality that will will never be matched and a true
    Friend I will miss deeply as will many at vic dogs and the
    Showing fraternity a great and wonderful person gone too soon
    Rip Renee We Love you always

  3. ROSLYN PHILLIPS

    May 5, 2012 at 1:50 pm


    One In A Million! what you saw is what you got with Renee that is why I looked up to and respected this wonderful personality who was Renee .There a piece of my heart gone with you farewell my friend Renee.

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