Tribute to Aunty Rhoda Roberts, AO
That this House notes:
(a)with sadness the passing of proud Widjabul Wia-bal woman Aunty Rhoda Roberts, AO, who passed away peacefully on Country on Saturday 21 March 2026 at 66 years old, after a seven-month fight with a rare type of ovarian cancer;
(b)that Rhoda Roberts was a trailblazer in every sense of the word and acknowledges her distinguished service to the performing arts, leadership, advocacy and promoting contemporary Indigenous culture, including but certainly not limited to:
(i)co-founding the Aboriginal National Theatre Trust in 1988 to establish a National Aboriginal Theatre, support Indigenous artists and foster Aboriginal culture through workshops and performances;
(ii)founding and becoming artistic director of the Festival of the Dreaming, Sydney Dreaming Festival and the Dreaming Festival from 1995 to 2009;
(iii)founding and becoming director of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre Clancestry Festival and being Garma Festival's festival director in 2010;
(iv)becoming the first head of Indigenous programming at the Sydney Opera House in 2012;
(v)being appointed creative director of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games opening ceremony;
(vi)becoming creative director for the Sydney New Year's Eve celebrations from 2008 to 2011; and
(vii)being appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2016.
(c)Rhoda's significant contributions to the media sector, including:
(i)becoming the first Aboriginal host on mainstream television on SBS in 1989;
(ii)playing a significant role in the launch of NITV as a free-to-air channel in 2012; and
(iii)being named inaugural Elder in Residence at SBS in 2021.
(d)Rhoda is credited with introducing the term "Welcome to Country" in the 1980s, which was about:
(i)honouring traditional owners;
(ii)sharing with the mainstream traditional practices for knowledge; and
(iii)asking us all to remember that Country is alive, is part of us all, is family and must be treated as such for safety.
That this House further notes that:
(a)Rhoda and her twin sister, Lois, were born to Muriel and Pastor Frank Roberts, alongside their older brother, Phillip, and younger brother, Mark;
(b)in July 1998, Lois went missing and police were dismissive, initially refusing to file a missing person's case;
(c)her remains were later found near Whian Whian State Forest and it appears she was abducted while hitchhiking between Nimbin and Lismore and then brutally murdered;
(d)the pain of this loss never left Rhoda and she sought answers and justice all her life, including featuring in Ivan Sen's observational and reflective documentary A Sister's Love in 2007; and
(e)to this day, no-one has been charged with the murder of Lois Roberts.
That this House extends its deepest sympathies to Rhoda's family and loved ones, including her children, Sarah, Jack and Emily, and acknowledges that her passing is a profound loss not only to those who knew and loved her but also to this country and to the generations of artists who will continue to be inspired by her legacy.
That this House notes and reflects on these poignant words Rhoda wrote in Green Music Australia's Sound Country Guide, "As human beings we're all passing through this place. While we're here, we must be aware and open - always learning. There are no mistakes, only lessons."
Motion agreed to.