Born in Sydney in 1959 and raised on Bundjalung country in Lismore, she faced discrimination and welfare policies in youth that shaped her community-focused path.

She broke barriers as the first Indigenous presenter on prime-time Australian TV in 1989 with SBS’s First In Line, and went on to contribute as a presenter, journalist, and producer on programs like Vox Populi and Deadly Sounds.

Roberts co-founded the Aboriginal National Theatre Trust in 1988 and drove Indigenous arts initiatives, including co-founding the Festival Of The Dreaming in 1994 and serving as its director until 2009, while also holding an Indigenous Cultural Advisory role for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

From 2012 to 2021, she led Indigenous programming at the Sydney Opera House as inaugural head, launching Dance Rites and advocating for Bangarra Dance Theatre and The Deadly Awards.

Her family issued a statement on social media expressing heartbreak while celebrating her lasting impact and character.

She endured personal tragedy with the unsolved murder of her twin sister Lois in 1998, a loss she publicly acknowledged.

The obituary highlights her warmth, intelligence, and lifelong commitment to inclusivity and support for others.

She is survived by her daughter Emily, partner Stephen Field, and their grandchildren Jack and Sarah, with a philosophy of listening and rhythm guiding her approach to cultural engagement.

She died peacefully in hospital after a seven-month battle with a rare ovarian cancer.

Rhoda Roberts, a leading Indigenous cultural figure, died at 66 after a cancer battle, triggering widespread tributes across Australia.

She was named an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2016 for distinguished service to the performing arts and promoting Indigenous culture.

As a Widjabul Wieybal woman from Bundjalung nation, she deeply shaped Indigenous culture, music, art, stories, history, and language across Australia and internationally through performance, leadership, and advocacy.