One of Australia’s greatest cultural ambassadors has been recognised posthumously for dedicating her life to sharing, preserving and promoting First Nations culture through language, dance and ceremony.
Proud Widjabul Wieybal woman of the Bundjalung nation Rhoda Roberts died in March aged 66. On Saturday night in Alice Springs, she was posthumously awarded the lifetime achievement award at the Naidoc awards.
The Naidoc (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) awards recognise the outstanding contributions, achievements and excellence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia.
The co-chair of the National Naidoc Committee, Lynette Riley, paid tribute to Roberts, saying she “was a force” and her legacy would continue to inspire future generations.
“(She was) fearless, brilliant and deeply committed to community and culture,” she said. “Rhoda had been selected for this honour, and we felt strongly that it was important to continue recognising her extraordinary contribution.
“Her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.”
The minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said this year’s winners “embody the spirit of Naidoc”, with the annual event celebrating 50 years.
“They are leaders, advocates, artists, educators, innovators and community champions whose work is creating positive change and inspires others,” she said.
“As we celebrate 50 Years of Deadly, we also celebrate the generations of First Nations people who have strengthened our communities and helped shape a better future for all Australians.”
At the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Roberts worked as a creative director and choreographed the Awakening segment of the opening ceremony, which was watched by millions of people around the globe.
She was also recognised as the first Aboriginal person to host a prime-time current affairs program, SBS’s Vox Populi in 1991, and then working in radio in 1992 she co-founded Deadly Sounds, which ran for 21 years, giving Indigenous people a voice across Australia and the Pacific.
Roberts also became the inaugural head of Indigenous programming at the Sydney Opera House in 2012. While there, she initiated Dance Rites, a First Nations dance competition, and advocated for the inclusion of Bangarra Dance Theatre and the Deadly awards.
She also became creative director of the Parrtjima festival of light in Alice Springs/Mparntwe in 2017.
Other winners recognised on the night include:
Person of the year: Aunty Pat Turner
Female Elder of the year: Christine Corby
Male Elder of the year: Dr Stephen Hagan
Sportsperson of the year: Caitlyn Costello
Youth of the year: Tyson Neal-Edwards
Creative talent award: Kaylene Whiskey
Caring for country and culture award: Southern Aboriginal Corporation
Education award: The Aboriginal & Islander Independent Community School (The Murri School)
Innovation award: Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy
