Serving as a judge by day, and dancing as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake by night, she has been involved in stage, film, TV and radio for over three decades.
She stayed in the role until 1973, during which time her character was involved in numerous controversial storylines, including Sonia engaging in an apparent incestuous relationship, an inter-racial kiss, losing her husband Dr. Gordon Vansard in a car accident, and then being targeted by a woman planning to send her mad.
Rainbow shot all her scenes for the film in a single day, before rushing off to give a theatre performance as Elvira in Blithe Spirit that same night.
Rainbow was awarded in the Queens Birthday Honours with the Order of Australia (AM) with the indictment being for "significant service to the community through support for a range of cultural and charitable organisations, and to the performing arts as an actor".
[5] Actors’ and Entertainers’ Benevolent Fund Queensland (of which she is Vice-President), honoured Rainbow with the 2024 Alan Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award (AELAA).