Geelong actor Paul Moore: Former Winners and Losers star’s temporary teaching ban

A former Channel 7 show Winners & Losers’ actor has had his right to teach acting temporarily revoked, it has been revealed.

Geelong actor Paul Moore. Victoria Picture: Mitch Bear

A high-profile Geelong actor, director and producer has had his right to teach temporarily revoked by the Victorian Institute of Teaching.

Paul Moore, who played Wes on the Channel 7 show Winners & Losers, was suspended by the VIT on an interim basis on April 13.

The move comes after Mr Moore was accused in 2016 of writing a false email alleging a teacher at his ex-wife’s acting school had engaged in “inappropriate behaviour” with a student.

His ex-wife is Sarah Grace, who was his co-star in Winners & Losers.

Mr Moore, 43, a former state government acting teacher, has been shooting a pilot series set in a school called Stashamo High.

He also runs an acting studio called Moore Acting Instincts and his LinkedIn lists him as an “improvisation tutor” at Deakin University.

The 2016 email was sent to the parents of Ms Grace’s acting studio.

According to a writ filed in the County Court claiming defamation against Mr Moore, Mr Moore accessed the school’s email account and sent out the bogus email to everyone on the studio’s contact list.

The email claimed a parent with a long association with the school had accused a teacher of the inappropriate behaviour.

“We are shocked and upset,” the email said.

“Although we stand behind all our teaching staff, we take these complaints very seriously.”

The email allegedly said the staff member, who was named, would be suspended and described it as a “sad day” for the studio.

Ms Grace said she feared the lies would lead to the end of her company, which she started with Mr Moore in 2006.

The studio is a Geelong success, employing 16 staff and teaching hundreds of students.

The Herald Sun covered the defamation case in 2017, reporting that Mr Moore admitted to the Herald Sun he sent the emails but claimed he was provoked and wanted to “scare” the teacher into taking him seriously as his marriage and his life spiralled out of control.

Mr Moore said he was “totally ashamed” of his actions and had now resolved the matter with his ex-wife.

The proceedings were discontinued.

“I have learnt how to let go of poisonous negative thoughts and I am now trying to rebuild my life slowly,” he said.

Mr Moore has previously talked publicly about his anxiety.

A now-deleted Facebook post from Mr Moore written after the interim suspension notes that “Everything happens for a reason in life. What is the lesson? Learn from it and move on. Time to frigging charge! Even harder!!! Haters will hate.”