Life lessons from a former postmistress, brothel owner and survivor at resilience charity talk

FROM being a survivor of childhood sexual abuse to the breakup of her 45-year marriage, Joan Leeds has faced more than her share of challenges in her life.

But the former Bangalow postmistress – who ran a brothel in Brisbane before moving to the Northern Rivers – has always found a way to bounce back.

Now the 69-year-old is preparing to share her story at the upcoming A Small SHIFT – I Will Survive fundraising event.

Organised and hosted by much-loved local comedian Mandy Nolan, the evening will see seven women from seven different decades each deliver a seven-minute talk about resilience.

Leeds was invited to take part after completing Nolan’s Cranky Women’s Comedy Course and performing with her fellow graduates at a stand-up show at Coorabell Hall, where she told stories about such things as joking with Hollywood actor Liam Hemsworth about his “big package” when he came into the post office to collect parcels.

Born in Sydney and raised on the Central Coast, Leeds left home at 15 and took a job at a nursing home. She later became a nurse, undertaking further training in management and education.

She went on to run several businesses with her husband – from newsagencies and a marine dealership in Sydney to a courier company in Melbourne and Brisbane – as well as working in business development roles before taking over Brisbane brothel The Viper Room from 2003.

After her marriage ended, she sold the business and bought the Bangalow Post Office in 2022, working alongside her Gold Coast–based daughter.

But after three years her daughter found the long hours and commute too difficult with a young family, prompting them to sell the business last year with the aim of buying something closer.

Leeds said she was terrified that people would discover her past in the brothel industry and judge her, so she kept it quiet until the sale – only to learn that someone had Googled her and shared the information anyway.

“I have never been one to hide anything, but I was concerned when I came to Bangalow because it’s a small community,” she said.

“All this time I was afraid someone was going to find out, and everybody already knew.”

Leeds said she has learnt a great deal throughout her life, with many of her skills proving transferable.

“The only person who limits you is you and the only person who makes a victim a victim is you,” she said.

A Small SHIFT – I Will Survive will be held at Byron Bay Golf Club on Wednesday 22 April. Tickets cost $40.

For more information and to book, visit shiftproject.org.au/whats-on/event