Last Updated on 11 minutes ago by Vijay Kumar
Renowned Indigenous Australian cultural leader, broadcaster, and arts advocate Rhoda Roberts passed away on 21 March 2026 at the age of 66.
She died in hospital after battling a rare form of ovarian cancer for several months.
“She will be so deeply missed, no one compared to our Rhoda and there will never be another like her,” Roberts’ family wrote in a statement on social media.
“Words fail to capture the true love, depth, intelligence and warmth that was our beloved Rhoda. She dedicated her life to culture, country and people from all walks of life.”
Her passing marks a significant loss for Australia’s cultural and artistic community, where she was widely respected as a powerful voice for Indigenous representation and storytelling.
Rhoda Roberts had a groundbreaking career spanning media, arts, and cultural leadership. She was known for bringing Indigenous culture into mainstream Australian platforms.
- Became the first Aboriginal presenter of a prime-time current affairs television program in Australia (1990), breaking barriers in media representation.
- Played a major role in popularizing the “Welcome to Country” tradition at national events, helping integrate Indigenous customs into modern public life.
- Served as Head of Indigenous Programming at the Sydney Opera House, where she promoted Indigenous performances and voices.
- Contributed creatively to Indigenous storytelling during the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
- Co-founded the Aboriginal National Theatre Trust, supporting Indigenous artists and performers.
- Honored with the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2016 for her services to the arts and Indigenous community.
Survived By
Rhoda Roberts is survived by:
- Her daughter Emily
- Her partner Stephen Field
- Two stepchildren
My name is Vijay Kumar. I work as content writer and founder of this website. I am studying BSC IT. I has been writing content since 2022. I also learn about journalism.
