Encore: Remembering cultural leader and storyteller Rhoda Roberts

Apr 2, 2026

Rhoda Roberts, a Widjabul-Waybal woman of the Bundjalung nation and celebrated cultural leader who coined 'Welcome to Country'. She recalls country, family and keeping language alive. She speaks about caring for her twin after traumatic brain injury, creating the Awakening segment for the 2000 Olympics, and confronting systemic racism and missing women in her region.

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ANECDOTE

Twin Bond With Contrasting Strengths

Rhoda and her twin Lois were opposites: Lois was charismatic, rebellious and protective of Rhoda, becoming a hairdresser and partyer.
Their twin bond meant Lois often defended Rhoda at school and shaped Rhoda's early confidence.

ANECDOTE

Lois' Recovery After Severe Head Injury

At 21 Lois suffered a severe car accident leaving her with major brain injury and minimal initial brain activity; Rhoda and her father refused early organ donation and advocated for life.
Through faith, nursing knowledge and rehab Lois regained mobility but with lasting changes to behaviour and personality.

ANECDOTE

From Nurse To Broadcaster With Mentors

Rhoda transitioned from nursing to theatre and radio, getting skills at Radio Redfern and moving into TV despite never having been on a TV set.
She approached mentors like Kerry O'Brien for guidance and learned to be herself on screen rather than adopt a manufactured presenter voice.

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The late Widjabul Wieybal woman of the Bundjalung Nation Rhoda Roberts lived through great loss and grief, in the midst of becoming one of Australia's most influential cultural leaders in the arts (R). Content Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are warned that this episode of Conversations includes the names and voice of someone who has died, used in accordance with the wishes of their family.

Aunty Rhoda Roberts AO, a guiding force in Australia's arts scene and the woman who coined the term "Welcome to Country", died in March at the age of 66 after being diagnosed with cancer.

Rhoda grew up with the lessons her father taught her and her siblings about ignoring racism in their town and not allowing themselves to become victims.

Rhoda is a member of the Bundjalung nation, Widjabul clan of Northern New South Wales and South East Queensland; and her father grew up on a mission near Lismore, where his family fought to maintain their language and culture.

Rhoda had a twin sister called Lois, but their relationship was shattered just days before their 21st birthday, when Lois was left with a brain injury in an horrific car crash.

Rhoda went on to become an actor, journalist, broadcaster, director and festival programmer.

It was during her role as creative director of the Awakening segment of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Opening Ceremony that her sister Lois went missing.

Six months later, Rhoda's fears were realised when a hiker found a body in the bush.

Originally broadcast in September 2016.

Listen to Rudi Bremer's episode of Awaye about the legacy of Rhoda Roberts.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Pam O'Brien.

It explores grief, death, tragedy, traumatic brain injury, TBI, First Nations, Aboriginal Australians, racism, prejudice, fathers and daughters, sibling relationships, losing a sister, performing arts, Aboriginal arts, race relations, family trauma, Lismore, Northern Rivers.

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.