Leah Purcell's meteoric rise, from the Murgon meatworks to centre stage

Jul 10, 2025

Leah Purcell, an acclaimed actor, playwright, and director, shares her inspiring journey from a small Queensland town to the heights of the performing arts. She reflects on her upbringing with her mother and the impact of her family's history on her identity. Leah recounts the transformative moment when a push from her boss at the meatworks led her to pursue her passion. She also discusses the emotional depth behind her successful works like 'Box the Pony' and 'The Drover's Wife,' highlighting themes of resilience, storytelling, and cultural heritage.

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ANECDOTE

Caring for Her Mother

Young Leah cared for her mother when she was intoxicated, walking her home and putting her to bed.
She took on adult responsibilities from a young age, impacting her schoolwork but shaping her resilience.

ANECDOTE

Late Acknowledgment from Father

Leah's father privately acknowledged her as his daughter only when she was 32 after a long complicated relationship.
Their emotional reunion gave Leah peace and motivated their eventual mutual understanding.

INSIGHT

Power of Storytelling and Listening

Storytelling and listening are deeply ingrained in Leah’s culture and shaped her foundation as an artist.
Early exposure to oral tradition honed her ability to listen, key to her acting and writing success.

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Leah Purcell grew up in a small town caring for her mum Florence. Her options after graduation were nursing or working at the meatworks. But after a push from her meatworks boss, Leah defied her own expectations for herself (R)

Leah is now an acclaimed actor, playwright, and stage and film director.

She grew up in the Queensland country town of Murgon. Although she came from a big family, it was just her and her mum for most of her childhood.

Her dad lived in town, but didn’t acknowledge her as his daughter.

Leah's mum Flo was well respected. For a time she was the only Aboriginal woman allowed in the lounge area of the pub, which was a whites-only zone.

Leah grew up with her Aunties and Uncles yarning around the kitchen table, and became a vivid storyteller herself.

When she left school, it was expected she would go to work in the local meatworks, or become a nurse.

But one of Leah's bosses at the meatworks refused to give her a permanent position, because he'd seen her in the local high school musical.

When he told Leah she had a real talent, it helped change Leah's idea of herself.

And so after her mum passed away, Leah left her small town.

In Sydney she set off on her path to becoming an actor, a playwright and eventually a film director.

Her first play 'Box the Pony' was inspired by her mother and grandmother's life story, and it became a huge hit.

Today Leah is recognised as one of Australia's most important voices in the performing arts.

Further information

Leah was awarded an Order of Australia in 2021 for her services to the performing arts. She released her feature film, The Drover's Wife in 2022. Leah played the lead role and also wrote and directed the film.

Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.

This episode of Conversations explores parentification of children, children raising parents, mixed families, racism, rural Australia, family dynamics, writing, books, plays, theatre, Andrew Denton, fathers and daughters, NAIDOC, Aboriginal, Indigenous, talent, film industry, acting, love, origin stories, life story.