National NAIDOC Artist of the Year

Leah Purcell

Leah Purcell is one of Australia’s most established and admired performing artists. Leah draws on her own life experiences and culture to inspire her performances both on and off the stage.

Leah has wowed the critics and captured the imagination of audiences around the world. Leah has performed in many moving productions including Box the Pony, Black Chicks Talking, the Vagina Monologues, Parramatta Girls and Bran Nue Dae.

During her career, Leah has portrayed a diverse range of characters from Condoleezza Rice in Stuff Happens to her impressive roles in The Proposition, Jindabyne, Somersault and the multi-award winning Lantana.

Leah has received many awards for her work as a performing artist and as a writer including the esteemed Bob Maza Fellowship award, the Australian Film Industry awards and a Deadly in 2005 for Best Actor.

In 2004, Leah was awarded the Eisenhower Fellowship. Her reputation has helped her promote cultural understanding and raise awareness of issues such as Indigenous health and education.

Leah’s Black Chicks Talking is a multi-faceted exploration into the lives of several successful Indigenous women. The documentary earnt Leah an Independent Film Award for Best Documentary and was the audience’s choice at the Brisbane International Film Festival.

As the Artistic Director of Brisbane’s Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts, Leah will continue to provide inspiration and guidance for aspiring Aboriginal performing artists.

In 2007, Leah urged action towards Reconciliation when she became the face of the Reconciliation Australia campaign.

For her commitment to the Arts, her cultural activism and most importantly, her ability to inspire others, Leah Purcell is awarded the 2007 National NAIDOC Artist of the Year.