Rhoda Roberts, a pioneering determine for First Nations folks and the visionary behind the time period ‘Welcome to Nation,’ has sadly handed away on the age of 66. Her dying comes after a valiant months-long battle with most cancers.
Hailing from the Widjabul Wieybal clan of the Bundjalung Nation, Roberts was a trailblazer in lots of respects. She broke new floor as the primary Aboriginal host on mainstream tv and served because the inaugural head of Indigenous programming on the Sydney Opera Home. Moreover, she held the excellence of being SBS’s first Elder-in-residence.
In a heartfelt message shared on social media, her household expressed their grief: “The Roberts-Subject household are heartbroken to announce that our stunning Rhoda Roberts has returned to the Dreaming on Saturday, March 21, at 1pm.”
They continued, “She handed peacefully in hospital after a seven-month combat with a really uncommon sort of ovarian most cancers.”
The lack of Rhoda Roberts will likely be profoundly felt by all who had been touched by her presence. Her household described her as a unprecedented particular person whose love, intelligence, and heat had been past phrases.
Roberts devoted her life to enriching tradition, supporting her Nation, and embracing folks from each background. Her legacy is one in every of compassion and inclusivity, at all times striving to reinforce the lives of others with unwavering love and care.
‘She confronted a lot trauma in her life, however continued combating and by no means gave up. Her power, dedication and pure love will ceaselessly be remembered.
‘She helped make unimaginable, constructive change for therefore many and for this Nation.’
Rhoda Roberts, who coined the time period ‘Welcome to Nation’, has died on the age of 66 after a months-long battle with most cancers
The household of Ms Roberts (pictured centre together with her youngsters Jack and Sarah) introduced her passing on Saturday afternoon
The household stated they’d share particulars relating to Ms Roberts’ celebration of life when they’re finalised.
They’ve requested for understanding and privateness whereas navigating grief and celebrating her life.
Ms Roberts is survived by her companion Stephen, her youngsters, Jack, Sarah, and Emily – who’s the organic baby of her twin sister, who she raised from a child.
Tributes have poured in for Ms Roberts, together with from Indigenous singer and actress Casey Donovan.
‘What a voice for our folks, our arts and for track ladies and men all around the world. Completely heartbroken to learn this,’ she commented on the submit.
‘The affect Aunty Rhoda has had on me and my profession over the previous 25 years has been completely life and career-changing.
‘A unprecedented girl gone far too quickly. Till we meet once more within the promise land.’
Whadjuk Noongar journalist and commentator Narelda Jacobs added: ‘A frontrunner and inspiration. Aunty Rhoda was clever, beneficiant, type, nurturing. She leaves our world a greater place.’
In December final 12 months, regardless of her sickness, Ms Roberts wrote and carried out My Cousin Frank on the Sydney Opera Home, which instructed the story of her first cousin, Frank Roberts, a Widjabul Wieybal and Githabul man from Cubawee who grew to become Australia’s first Aboriginal Olympian
Ms Roberts has been credited with coining the time period Welcome to Nation within the Eighties.
‘It (a Welcome to Nation) was a second for us to mirror on our spiritual beliefs, our rituals that we had at all times attended to,’ she instructed SBS Examines final 12 months.
‘Nevertheless, with occupation and the assimilation course of, these practices had been quickly outlawed.’
The inventive chief acquired an Order of Australia for distinguished service to the performing arts, management, advocacy, and the promotion of latest Indigenous tradition in 2016.
She was the founder and Creative Director of a number of festivals, together with the Competition of the Dreaming, Sydney Dreaming Competition, and the Dreaming Competition, between 1995 and 2009.
She later co-founded and have become inventive director of the QPAC Clancestry Competition, and served as Garma Competition’s pageant director in 2010.
In December final 12 months, regardless of her sickness, Ms Roberts wrote and carried out My Cousin Frank on the Sydney Opera Home.
She shared the story of her first cousin, Frank Roberts, a Widjabul Wieybal and Githabul man from Cubawee who grew to become Australia’s first Aboriginal Olympian.
A practised weaver, Ms Roberts was a distinguished speaker, author and performer in theatre, movie, tv and radio in Australia and the world over.
